The Maddy Report (TV)
The Maddy Report is our weekly public affairs TV program covering how State and Federal policy and politics impact California, generally, and the San Joaquin Valley, in particular. It is broadcasted on KVPT (Valley PBS), KSEE (NBC Fresno) and the Cal Channel (statewide).
The goal of The Maddy Report is to encourage a deeper understanding of the issues facing our nation, state and region through a thoughtful, objective, fair and civilized exchange of ideas.
Modeled after such programs as Meet the Press, Washington Week, This Week and Face the Nation, The Maddy Report is a public affairs program that includes interviews with national, state and regional leaders and experts on the issues of the day, as well as a roundtable discussion with invited political reporters and columnists.
The program is moderated by the Maddy Institute’s Executive Director, Mark Keppler.
The Maddy Report debuted in 2006.
The following is a list with links to the most recent Maddy Report shows.
Crime in California: Just the Facts
California Retrospective: A Conversation with George Skelton
The Delta: Fixing California’s Water Faucet
Reforming State Government: First, Do No Harm…
CEQA Reform: Being Careful Not to Throw Out the Baby with the Bathwater
UC’s and CSU’s – Getting a Bigger Bang for the Buck
California 2025: Planning for a Better Future
Balancing Jobs and Justice: New Laws, Government Regulations and Lawsuits
School Financing Reform: Show Me the Money!
Cap and Trade: What’s the Forecast for California’s Climate Change Program?
The Governor’s 2013 Budget: Back in Black?
Money in Politics: The Costs of Free Speech
Legislative Year in Review and Legislative Agenda for 2013
The Fiscal Cliff and the Political Divide: Is Compromise Possible?
2012 Election: Implications for California and the San Joaquin Valley
California’s Congressional Delegation: A View from Washington
Capital Punishment and Three Strikes – Propositions 34 and 36
Taxes to Fund Education: Propositions 30 and 38
Prop 32: Declaration of War Against the Union(s)?
Prop. 31: Government Reform or Proposition Overreach?
State Agency Shenanigans: Squirreling Away Money- Is that Just Nuts?
Public Employee Pension Reform: Was it A Touchdown, First Down or a Punt?
California State Parks: Going Extinct?
Reforming the California Legislature: Mission Impossible?
After the Fall: What is the Future of Redevelopment Agencies in California?
California’s Agricultural Value Chain: Cultivating (Economic) Growth?
The State of K-12 Education (Part 1): Gov. Brown’s Education Agenda
The State of K-12 Education (Part 2): The California Legislature’s Education Agenda
The State of K-12 Education (Part 3): The Divergent Voices of Reform
Federal Health Care Reform Comes to California (Part 2): The State’s Role
California’s Master Plan for Higher Education
Redistricting and Open Primaries
Is California’s regulatory climate too much, not enough or just right?
Reforming California- Part Two: Political Leaders Weigh In
The State of the (Public Employee) Union
California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley
Jobs Crisis: The Federal Response
Jobs Crisis: The State Response
Jobs Crisis: The Local/Regional Response
The Tea Party: Pendulum Politics or Something More?
California’s Fiscal Outlook: From Worse to Better—But Still Not Good
California Politics: Reviewing 2011 and Previewing 2012
California’s High Speed Rail’s New Business Plan: Back on Track?
California’s Community Colleges: Getting Students to Finish What They Started?
Crime in California: Just the Facts
Perhaps no function of government is more important than public safety. Despite its importance, little is known by the public or policymakers about how the States’ criminal justice system operates.
Recently, the non-partisan Legislative Analyst Office updated its seminal publication, California’s Criminal Justice System: A Primer, to provide the public, media, and policymakers some basic information on the state’s criminal justice system, caseloads, costs, trends, and outcomes.
Brian Brown, author of California’s Criminal Justice System: A Primer, and Managing Principal Analyst on Criminal Justice for the California Legislative Analysts’ Office comments on this episode of the Maddy Report.
California Retrospective: A Conversation with George Skelton
Political columnist George Skelton has seen a lot since he started covering State politics in 1974. A lot has changed in California from Ronald Reagan being Governor to the passage of Prop. 13 in 1978 that limited property taxes, to Prop. 98 in 1988 that continues to mandate a minimum level of school funding, to Prop. 184 in 1994 that established California’s toughest in the nation Three Strikes Law, to the return of Jerry Brown as Governor in 2011—36 years after he was first elected Governor in 1975. We’ll look back at State politics and discuss how state government has changed.
The dean of the Capitol Press Corps, LA Times Columnist George Skelton, comments on this episode of the Maddy Report.
The Delta: Fixing California’s Water Faucet
California’s Delta is the largest estuary on the West Coast and is the hub of the state’s major water supply systems. It is inextricably linked to statewide issues that affect its ability to function in a healthy, sustainable way. In November 2009, the California Legislature enacted SBX7 1 (Delta Reform Act), one of several bills passed at this time related to water supply reliability, ecosystem health, and the Delta. The Act, effective on Feb. 3, 2010, created the Delta Stewardship Council.
The mission of the Delta Stewardship Council is to achieve the coequal goals. As stated in the CA Water code, “‘Coequal goals’ means the two goals of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem. The coequal goals shall be achieved in a manner that protects and enhances the unique cultural, recreational, natural resource, and agricultural values of the Delta as an evolving place.” (CA Water Code SS 85054). Because California’s Delta is linked to so many statewide issues, the Plan’s scope and purview will encompass decisions pertaining to statewide water use, flood management and the Delta watershed.
Phil Isenberg, Chair of the Delta Stewardship Council, and Dale Hoffman-Floerke, Deputy Director of Delta and Statewide Water Management, comment on this episode of the Maddy Report.
Reforming State Government: First, Do No Harm…
In the 1960s and 1970’s, California government was viewed as one of “the finest in the world” because of its ability to tackle big issues in a deliberative, thoughtful and productive way. Polls over the last couple of decades, however, have reported generally low job approval ratings of the state government with dissatisfaction among all voters: Republicans, Democrats and Independents.
As a result, there has been a rise in the use of the initiative process to “fix” what ails California government, resulting in even more dysfunction and more dissatisfaction. This led The Economist magazine to call California a “failed” state politically.
How do we fix California government without making the matter worse? Our guest is Mark Paul, co-author of “California Crackup: How Reform Broke the Golden State and How We Can Fix It” described as “a comprehensive and persuasive analysis of California’s dysfunctional government system.”
CEQA Reform: Being Careful Not to Throw Out the Baby with the Bathwater
The California Environmental Quality Act is generally recognized as the strongest state environmental law in the nation. Signed by then Gov. Reagan in 1970, CEQA initially applied only to public agencies. The California Supreme Court later extended its reach to private development.
Under CEQA, agencies such as a cities and counties must identify the environmental effects, if any, of most major project proposals. The agencies also determine whether a full-blown environmental impact report is required to offset the harm. Public review is mandatory.
A project must identify impacts and offer mitigation in such diverse categories as air quality, water, traffic, noise, wildlife and aesthetics, among others. Developers can address the impacts in many ways, such as adding traffic lanes, providing open space, contributing to a sewer plant expansion, or downsizing the project.
Sacramento attorney Tina Thomas, a CEQA expert and author of “A Guide to the California Environmental Quality Act,” Bruce Resnik, Executive Director of the Planning and Conservation League, State Senator Michael Rubio, and State Senator Anthony Cannella comment on this episode of the Maddy Report.
UC’s and CSU’s – Getting a Bigger Bang for the Buck
Californians have historically placed a high value on higher education. Indeed, California’s universities have generally been viewed as among the best in the world. However, as the cost of providing higher education keeps rising, the UC and CSU systems have seen significant cuts in state funding in the last few years.
While the economy—and the State’s funding of higher education—are finally beginning to improve, the Governor has made it clear that the UC and CSU systems will have to do more with less. Can higher education costs be cut, while at the same time improving access and graduation rates? What are the Governor’s proposals to improve higher education in California—and will they work?
H.D. Palmer, the Deputy Director of External Affairs at the California Department of Finance, Jennifer Kuhn, Deputy Legislative Analyst and expert on education issues at the non-partisan California Legislative Analysts’ Office, and Republican Assemblymember Kristin Olsen of Modesto comment on this episode of the Maddy Report.
California 2025: Planning for a Better Future
What will California be like in 2025—and how do we begin now to plan a better future? What kind of population growth will California experience—who will they be? And where will they live? What about California’s long term economic prospects? What are the opportunities? What are the threats to our economic prosperity? What are California growing water management challenges—and how can they be solved?
California is facing these and other challenges. What are the future consequences of policy choices made today?
Mark Baldassare, President and CEO of the Public Policy Institute of California, an organization that conducts a well-respected Statewide Survey―and who recently released a report on the state’s most pressing long term policy choices, comments on this episode of the Maddy Report.
Balancing Jobs and Justice: New Laws, Government Regulations and Lawsuits
Progressives like FDR thought some government regulation—protecting workers and the environment, promoting fairness in business transactions or achieving other social goals—was necessary to control the excesses of businesses. Ronald Reagan, on the other hand, preached the gospel of laissez-faire capitalism—the discipline of the market and self-regulation—and the belief that government wasn’t part of the solution; it was part of the problem. Which is the correct approach? The debate continues to this day. While some cite the fact that California generally fares poorly on many national rankings of business climate, others note that the state’s economy has grown at roughly the same rate as the national average for the last 30 years. Is California’s regulatory environment too much, not enough or just right?”
Bill Woolman, partner with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Rudd & Romo in Fresno, John Kabateck, California Executive Director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, and Brian Kabateck, the President of the Consumer Attorneys of California, discuss government regulations on this episode of The Maddy Report.
School Financing Reform: Show Me the Money!
State Sen. Joe Simitian once compared California’s byzantine school financing system to the “the Winchester Mystery House” with rooms added willy-nilly to solve one problem or another.
Fortunately, we have some people who can help us navigate our way through this financial maze.
Rachel Ehlers, Harvard graduate from the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, Michael Kirst, President of the California Board of Education, and Dean Vogel, President of the California Teachers Association, comment on this episode of the Maddy Report.
Cap and Trade: What’s the Forecast for California’s Climate Change Program?
The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, commonly referred to as AB 32, established the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions statewide to 1990 levels by 2020. In order to help achieve this goal, the California Air Resources Board (ARB), has adopted a new “cap–and–trade” program that places a “cap” on entities responsible for roughly 80% of the state’s emissions.
As a result, the ARB has issued carbon allowances that these entities will, in turn, be able to “trade”—buy and sell—on the open market. Its proponents say a cap–and–trade program offers the potential to reduce emissions more cost–effectively than using traditional regulations. Its detractors say it will hurt the economy and job growth.
What exactly is a “cap & trade” program and how is it supposed to work? Is the new roll out proving successful or have there been glitches? What impact will California’s “cap & trade” program have on the air quality, the economy, jobs, and the state budget?
Tiffany Roberts, an air quality and climate change expert with the Legislative Analysts Office, James Goldstene, Executive Officer of the California Air Resources Board, Allan Zaremberg, CEO from the California Chamber of Commerce, and Timothy O’Connor, Director of the California Climate Change Initiative with the Environmental Defense Fund.
The Governor’s 2013 Budget: Back in Black?
When first coming into office in 2010, Governor Brown faced budget shortfalls of upwards of $20 billion. In just three years, the state “…has reached a point where its underlying expenditures and revenues are roughly in balance,” according to the non-partisan legislative analyst. Furthermore, Gov. Brown is projecting a $1 billion surplus for the coming year.
Is this significant improvement in the state’s finances a mirage or is it real?
HD Palmer, the Deputy Director of External Affairs at the California Department of Finance, Mac Taylor, leader of the State’s non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (or LAO), Veteran political columnist Dan Walters of the Sacramento Bee, and John Myers, Political Editor for News 10 in Sacramento.
Money in Politics: The Costs of Free Speech
Raising and spending money in politics became considerably easier under the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling that gave corporations and unions unfettered access to the political process. The Supreme Court’s decision gave rise to increased involvement by 501(c)4 nonprofit advocacy organizations, political action committees and Super PACs in the political process. The results were over $1 billion were raised by each Presidential candidate and almost $375 million was spent on just the state propositions alone in California.
Is this merely the exercise of free speech or are our politics becoming hijacked by special interests?
Kevin Yamamura, political reporter for the Sacramento Bee, Ann Ravel, Chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission, John Myers Political Editor for News 10 in Sacramento, and Dan Walters, political columnist for the Sacramento, comment on this episode of the Maddy Report.
After President Obama’s inauguration and Rick Santelli’s infamous rant on CNBC in February of 2009, disgruntled conservatives began raucous protests in opposition to bank bailouts, taxes and what they perceived as the over-intrusiveness of the federal government.
The tea party surge helped the GOP take back control of the House in the 2010 midterm elections. However, it has also been responsible for a slew of unelectable Senate candidates who won GOP nominations over more moderate candidates only to lose in the general election.
One of the most visible Tea Party organizations is the Tea Party Express, which became nationally known after several national bus tours and a co-hosting a Presidential debate with CNN.
The chief political strategist for the Tea Party Express, Sal Russo, is our guest.
Legislative Year in Review and Legislative Agenda for 2013
Gov. Brown started off 2012 by saying “I am going directly to the voters because I don’t want to get bogged down in partisan gridlock.” He did, and voters passed the first broad scale tax increase in memory. In addition, the state’s economic recovery and prior budget cuts combined to bring a possible end to a decade of acute state budget challenges.
What were the major accomplishments at the State Capitol in 2012? What were the important takeaways from the 2012 election? What is likely to be on the political agenda for the Governor and the legislature in 2013?
John Myers, Political Editor for News 10 in Sacramento, and Dan Walters, political columnist for the Sacramento Bee answer these questions and more on this episode of the Maddy Report.
The Fiscal Cliff and the Political Divide: Is Compromise Possible?
With a federal budget of $3.6 trillion, an annual deficit of $1 trillion, and a total national debt of $16 trillion, Congress will have to make some tough choices to restore the nation’s fiscal health. The fiscal cliff, immigration reform, a new five-year farm bill, improving the quality and quantity of water, high speed rail, and a host of other issues are all important to Californian’s and those who live in the Valley.
Will the San Joaquin Valley’s Congressional delegation help forge solutions or will our current Congressional delegation be gripped by the same hyper-partisanship and resulting gridlock that has increasingly characterized Congress over the last few years?
Congressman Devin Nunes (Republican – Visalia) and Congressman Jim Costa (Democrat – Fresno) comment on this episode of the Maddy Report.
2012 Election: Implications for California and the San Joaquin Valley
A presidential election, eleven high-profile ballot measures, and 154 congressional and state legislative seats were all up for grabs in California in November. Changes to the state’s political landscape, such as the top-two primary and political maps drawn for the first time by a citizens’ commission, as well as heavy spending by outside groups in state and federal races produced some interesting results.
What impact will the presidential and congressional elections have on California and the San Joaquin Valley? What about results in the key state legislative races and the key state propositions? What are the big takeaways from the election?
Bill McEwen, columnist with the Fresno Bee, Robert Price, editorial page editor of the Bakersfield Californian, Paul Hurley, the former community relations editor of the Visalia Times Delta, and Judy Sly, the editorial page editor of the Modesto Bee discuss this on this episode of the Maddy Report.
California’s Congressional Delegation: A View from Washington
Political dysfunction, hyper-partisanship, attack politics run amok are three public criticism of Congress. Meanwhile, little is being done to address the nation’s economic and social challenges. What is the result? The public approval of Congress is at record lows—with the public increasingly coming to believe that Congress is so caught up in partisan politics that it is incapable of addressing the economy, health care, education and other critical issues.
What about the 53-member California’s Congressional delegation—the largest and most influential of all the state delegations? Are they more partisan or more pragmatic than their colleagues from other states? Is the delegation from the San Joaquin Valley still the moderate, problem-solving group of year’s past or has hyper-partisanship gripped the Valley’s congressional delegation as well? Will the next Congress begin to address the big issues important to California and the nation like the economy, housing, water and immigration? Furthermore, will the inability or unwillingness of Congress to act mean that more decisions will be left to the Supreme Court?
Michael Doyle, national correspondent who covers the U.S Congress and Supreme Court for McClatchy Newspapers from Washington, D.C., comments on this episode of the Maddy Report.
Capital Punishment and Three Strikes – Propositions 34 and 36
Crime and punishment and deterrence and cost are key issues that confront voters when they go to the polls in November.
Prop. 34 would eliminate the death penalty and make the maximum sentence life without the possibility of parole. Prop. 36 would amend the State’s “three strikes” law to require that, before a life sentence is imposed, the third strike be for a serious or violent felony. If the “third strike” was not for a serious or violent crime, the punishment would still be double the normal punishment.
Carl Adams, Sutter County District Attorney and President of the California District Attorneys’ Association, Ignacio Hernandez, with the California Attorney’s for Criminal Justice, Helen Hutchison, from the League of Women Voters of California, and Dan Morain, Senior Editor at the Sacramento Bee, comment on this episode of the Maddy Report.
Taxes to Fund Education: Propositions 30 and 38
California educates one-eighth of all students in the U.S. Unfortunately, its ranking at the bottom of the states in terms of math and reading helps to explain why our students are not competitive internationally. California has a long history of trying to improve schools from Sacramento through detailed regulations, categorical spending programs, and a virtually undecipherable finance system.
Dean Vogel, the President of the California Teachers Association, John Kabateck, California Executive Director of the National Federation of Indep. Business, Carol Kocivar, president of the California State PTA, Allan Zaramberg, president and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce, and George Skelton of the LA Times comment on this episode of the Maddy Report.
Prop. 32: Declaration of War Against the Union(s)?
As cities, counties and states struggle to balance budgets, public employee unions have come under fire from critics arguing that their compensation and benefits, especially their pensions, are overly generous.
Some of the most notable battles have occurred in Wisconsin, where Gov. Scott Walker sought to eliminate collective bargaining rights for many public employees, and Ohio, where an anti-union measure is the subject of a proposed voter referendum.
Are public employee unions and their ability to bargain collectively the cause of government deficits? Is privatization of government services the answer? What about the influence of public employee unions in politics—is it corrupting the political process and bankrupting our government—or merely giving thousands of public workers a voice in the terms and conditions of their employment?
John Kabateck, California Executive Director of the National Federation of Indep. Business, Trudy Schafer, Program Director for the League of Women Voters of California, and Derek Cressman, Regional Director of California Common Cause and, Gail Marshall, former member of the editorial board of the Fresno Bee, comment on this episode of the Maddy Report.
Prop. 31: Government Reform or Proposition Overreach?
This November, Californians will be asked to vote on a number of propositions; however, Prop. 31 may end up having the biggest and longest term impact on State government. Its backers say it would be a big step toward improving the way California is governed, while opponents say it is “poorly defined” and will only lead to “lawsuits and confusion.”
What are the specific provisions in Prop. 31? Which provisions are the most controversial? Will it make the State Government better or worse?
For the Yes on Prop. 31 side we will hear from Pete Weber, State co-Chair of the Yes on Prop. 31 Campaign and a board member of California Forward, and former Assemblymember Juan Arambula.
For the No on Prop. 31 side we will hear from Anthony Wright, Executive Director of Health Access California, and Lenny Goldberg, Executive Director of the California Tax Reform Association.
Bill McEwen, columnist for the Fresno Bee, will also provide a guest commentary on the issue.
State Agency Shenanigans: Squirreling Away Money- Is that Just Nuts?
Recently, the Sacramento Bee uncovered $54 million in hidden funds at the State’s Department of Parks and Recreation at the very time it was telling the public it had to close 70 State Parks due to lack of funding. The result was the resignation of the State Parks Director and the termination or retirement of other top staffers in the Parks Department.
Lawmakers have now asked for an independent audit of the parks department.
We’ll find out how the problem came to light, and if there will be a political price to pay.
Kevin Yamamura, Jon Ortiz, and Dan Walters from the Sacramento Bee will comment on these topics alongside California State Auditor Elaine Howle, who will give her take on how to increase fiscal integrity in the state government.
Public Employee Pension Reform: Was it a Touchdown, First Down or a Punt?
When it was first proposed, Gov. Brown’s pension reform plan was hailed by the non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, as “a bold starting point for legislative deliberations.” The legislature has passed a reform package that unions say is the biggest rollback of public employee retirement benefits in CA history while critics say it is only an incremental change.
How does the recently enacted pension reform package differ from the 12 point proposal Gov. Brown made a year ago? What can or should be done to reduce the pensions of current public employees? What are some the political challenges to public employee pension reform? What will be the political fallout of public employee pension reform?
Jason Sisney, Deputy Legislative Analyst on State and Local Finance at the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, Jon Ortiz, who writes The Sacramento Bee’s State Worker blog, John Myers, a well-respected Political Editor for News 10 KXTV ABC in Sacramento, and Paul Hurley, former Conversation Editor of the Visalia Times Delta, discuss these questions on public pension reforms and more on this episode of The Maddy Report.
California State Parks: Going Extinct?
California’s 278 state parks are one of the things that make California special. Despite serving over 70 million visitors a year, however, California’s state parks are increasingly under the budget ax. In his 2012-2013 budget, Governor Brown proposed closing up to 70 state parks. Legislative leaders, however, have begun to consider ways to prevent park closures and, more importantly, ensure that the state’s park system is adequately maintained and operated in the future.
What can be done to reduce costs and increase revenue in the park system? And how can this be done and still maintain public access to the parks? We’ll ask Ruth Coleman, California’s State Parks Director and Lia Moore, from the California Legislative Analyst Office and author of a report on “Strategies to Maintain California’s Park System”.
Reforming the California Legislature: Mission Impossible?
In the 1970’s, California’s legislature was described as “the finest in the world” because of the expertise, diligence and collegiality exhibited by its members. The opinion of the California legislature, however, has undergone a stunning decline in the last 30 years. A recent California poll found that the job approval ratings of the California Legislature continue to be low—with 25% approving and majorities across all parties disapproving of the legislature’s performance.
Due to the hyper-partisan environment in Sacramento, the one thing that does appear to be bi-partisan is the willingness of both Democrats and Republicans to punish their members when they do attempt to get things done by working across the aisle. The dysfunctional nature of state politics led the Economist magazine to call California a “failed” state politically.
What reforms are being discussed in California to make our legislature more efficient, effective and responsive? What can Californians learn from reforms occurring in other states?
Karl Kurtz, Director of the Trust for Representative Democracy at the National Conference of State Legislatures, discusses these questions and more on this episode of the Maddy Report.
After the Fall: What is the Future of Redevelopment in California?
Californians pay over $45 billion in property taxes each year—typically the largest source of local, general purpose revenues. More than 60 years ago, the Legislature established a process in which a city or county could declare an area “blighted” and in need of redevelopment. When that happened, most of the property tax revenue growth from the project area went to a local redevelopment agency—or RDA—instead of for other local services like schools and public safety. RDAs grew and grew and by 2012, were receiving $5 billion in property tax revenue—about 11% of the total property taxes collected statewide—and had tens of billions of dollars in outstanding bonds, contracts and loans.
Citing the need to focus on core government programs, Governor Brown called for the dissolution of RDA’s in his 2011 – 2012 budget. What impact will their closure have on the State Budget? And what is the future for blighted areas and low and moderate income housing with the demise of RDAs? We’ll ask Allan D. Kotin, Professor at the USC School of Policy, Planning & Development and Marianne O’Malley, Managing Principal Analyst for State and Local Finance at California’s Legislative Analysts’ Office.
California’s Agricultural Value Chain: Cultivating (Economic) Growth?
Agriculture is an essential part of California’s economy. Each year, billions of dollars in products are created in California and the San Joaquin Valley is the undisputed food capital of California. While farm employment continues to decline due to innovation and mechanization, developing an “Ag Value Chain” — which includes the support, production, processing, packaging and distribution of food — could have a significant impact on the region’s future economic vitality.
Projections are that, with the right strategies and actions, California’s Ag Value chain could create 182,000 jobs in the next five years. What government and industry actions will be needed to create these jobs? We’ll ask: Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, USDA Rural Development State Director Dr. Glenda Humiston and, Paul Wenger, President of the California Farm Bureau Federation.
The State of K-12 Education (Part 1): Gov. Brown’s Education Agenda
California educates one-eighth of all students in the U.S, but it is ranking at the bottom of the states in terms of math and reading, which helps explain why our students are not competitive internationally. California has tried to improve schools through detailed regulations, categorical spending programs, and a virtually undecipherable finance system. In his 2012 State of the State speech, Gov. Jerry Brown made K-12 education a key focus.
In the first part of our three part series on K-12 education in California, we will examine the details of the Governor’s proposal and whether they will they make California schools great again.
H.D. Palmer, Deputy Director for External Affairs at the California Department of Finance, Sue Burr, Executive Director of the California State Board of Education, and John Fensterwald, editor of ”The Educated Guess,” a blog on California education written for the Silicon Valley Education Foundation, discuss Governor Brown’s education agenda for 2012.
The State of K-12 Education (Part 2): The California Legislature’s Education Agenda
According to the Public Policy Institute of California, California educates more than 6 million kids in its public schools. Many of these children are economically disadvantaged and many are not native speakers. Despite these challenges and years of constrained budgets, test scores have been rising. Further improvement will be challenging given the budget situation, the inequitable distribution of school dollars, and the complexity of government funding mechanisms.
In the second part of our three part series on K-12 education in California, Assemblymember Julia Brownley (Democrat from Santa Monica), Chair of the Education Committee, Assemblymember Chris Norby (Republican from Fullerton), Vice Chair of the Education Committee, and Kevin Yamamura, a reporter for the Sacramento Bee, will examine what the California legislature is doing to address the challenges faced by California schools.
The State of K-12 Education (Part 3): The Divergent Voices of Reform
As U.S. and California students’ test scores fall behind in the world, the education reform debate has heated up. The public school system was established as a crucial part of our nation’s democracy, which granted all children the same opportunity to learn and succeed. In this sense, public education is the great equalizer, but not all schools are created equal. Are poverty and other social factors to blame? Or is it that our standards are too low? While there may be disagreement on the cause of K-12 problems, everyone agrees that it needs improvement.
In the third part of our three part series on K-12 education in California, Michelle Rhee, CEO of Students First and former Chancellor of the Washington, D.C. Public Schools, Dean Vogel, President of the California Teachers Association, and Carol Kocivar, President of the California State PTA, discuss what should be done to address the challenges faced by California schools.
Almost 7 million Californians were without health insurance last year. Not surprisingly, the Valley is home to more of the uninsured than other areas of the state due to our higher poverty levels, higher unemployment rates, and large number of undocumented residents. As the new federal health care reform law takes effect, experts on all sides are weighing in on how the new law ought to be implemented.
Sandra Shewry, Director of State Health Policy at the California HealthCare Foundation, Nicole Kasabian Evans, Vice-President of the CA Association of Health Care Plans, and Dr. John Capitman, Executive Director of the Central Valley Health Policy Institute, discuss how federal health care reform will be implemented in California and give their thoughts on the prognosis on what it could mean for California and the San Joaquin Valley.
Federal Health Care Reform Comes to California (Part 2): The State’s Role
California has one of the highest rates of uninsured people in the nation. Supporters of the federal health care reform law say that, if done wisely, it could result in covering more than 80% of California’s uninsured.
What impact will federal health care reform have on MediCal and the State budget? What impact will it have on counties that have covered indigent care costs? Will it make health care in California more efficient, effective, and affordable?
Senator Ed Hernandez, Democrat from West Covina and Chair of the Senate’s Health Committee, Assemblymember Linda Halderman, Republican from Fresno and Vice Chair of the Assembly’s Committee on Aging and Long Term Care, and Dan Weintraub, a well respected reporter on health care issue in California from HealthyCal.org, discuss these questions and more.
California’s Master Plan for Higher Education
When California adopted its ground-breaking “Master Plan for Higher Education” in 1960, it was widely acknowledged for creating the foundation for California’s unparalleled economic success over the next 50 years. While polls indicate that nearly all Californians say the state’s higher education system is very important to the state’s economic vitality over the next 20 years, they have watched the State’s share of the UC budget cut by almost a third and the CSU System budget cut almost in half. Last year, California spent $4.7 billion on higher education, while spending $6 billion on prisons.
Can we afford the State’s Master Plan for Higher Education—or do we need a Plan B? Who should be responsible for funding higher ed—the state or the individual? What can be done to control the escalating costs that are putting a college degree out of the reach of average Californians?
Dr. Dorothy Leland, Chancellor of UC Merced, and Dr. John Welty, President of California State University, Fresno, give their take on the future of higher education in California.
In January, voters were being told to brace for historic cuts in light of a projected $26 billion shortfall in the State Budget. When the May Revise, capturing April’s tax receipts, came out, however, voters were told the good news that revenues were much higher than projected—$6.6 billion higher—and that, combined with earlier cuts, reduced the projected deficit to “only” $9.6 billion. To some, that meant the looming crisis has been averted, at least temporarily.
Redistricting and Open Primaries
Every 10 years, after the federal census, every state—including California—must redraw the boundaries of its legislative districts to reflect the new population data. Previously, these boundaries were drawn—some say gerrymandered—by lawmakers.
In the last two years, voters have passed propositions giving an independent Citizen’s Redistricting Commission authority over State Legislative and Congressional Districts. As if new state and federal legislative districts were not enough, voters approved an open primary system in which only the top two vote-getters advance, even if they are from the same political party.
Citizen Redistricting Commission Commissioner Stanley Forbes, State Assemblymembers Henry Perea and Bill Berryhill, John Meyers, Sacramento Bureau Chief for KQED, and Dan Walter, Veteran Sacramento Bee Columnist, discuss how this will all play out and how it will change California’s political landscape.
Is California’s regulatory climate too much, not enough or just right?
Progressives like FDR, thought some government regulation—protecting workers and the environment, promoting fairness in business transactions or achieving other social goals—was necessary to control the excesses of businesses. Ronald Reagan, on the other hand, preached the gospel of laissez-faire capitalism—the discipline of the market and self-regulation—and the belief that government wasn’t part of the solution; it was part of the problem. Which is the correct approach? The debate continues to this day.
While some cite the fact that California generally fares poorly on many national rankings on business climate, others note that the state’s economy has grown at roughly the same rate as the national average for the last 30 years.
Jack Stewart, president of California Manufacturers & Technology Association, Assemblymember David Valadao, Republican from Hanford, Assemblymember Henry Perea, Democrat from Fresno, discuss the question is California’s regulatory environment too much, not enough or just right?
Reforming California- Part Two: Political Leaders Weigh In
In the 1970’s, California’s legislature was described as “the finest in the world” because of the expertise, diligence and collegiality exhibited by its members. The opinion of the California legislature, however, has undergone a stunning decline in the last 30 years. A recent poll found 81% of voters disapproved of their legislature and only 12% approved.
Due to the hyper-partisan environment in Sacramento, the one thing that does appear to be bi-partisan is the willingness of both Democrats and Republicans to punish their members when they do attempt to get things done by working across the aisle. The dysfunctional nature of state politics led The Economist to call California a “failed” state. How did things go so terribly wrong—and what can be done to restore the California Dream?
In part two of our two part series on reforming California, former Senate Minority Leader Dave Cogdill, former Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines, and former Assembly member Sarah Reyes discuss how governmental bodies can deliver better results with greater accountability, how to make the budget process more disciplined and focused—so that we only spend the money we have —and we spend it wisely, and identify the key political reforms that could put the State back on track.
High speed rail may be a state-wide project, but local politicians have played and are continuing to play a critical role in the debate both for and against this project that has national implications.
Congressman, then State Senator, Jim Costa from Fresno introduced an initial bond for high speed rail in 2002. Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani of Merced authored the $10 billion high speed rail bond passed by the voters in 2008. Congressman Devin Nunes of Visalia has been a vocal critic of high speed rail, calling it a “high speed train wreck.” Lastly, Congressman Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield, the House Majority Whip, has denounced high speed rail, further clouding the political future of this ambitious project running through his own hometown.
Critics say that money is being misspent, ridership studies are inflated, the route is being driven by politics and the system will never be self-supporting. Proponents maintain that high speed rail will reduce congestion on our freeways, airports and freight rail lines, improve our air quality, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create tens of thousands of high paying jobs throughout the state and, particularly, here in the Valley.
We will talk with the key political and business leaders, as well as the author of a California Senate-commissioned study of the financial feasibility of high speed rail, and see who is aboard for high speed rail.
Recently, public employee pensions have been the source of growing controversy. Often, in the fight over pension reform, politicians, the public and media lump all public employee benefits together and compare those to private sector workers who generally get less generous retirement payouts. However, that hides tremendous disparities that exist between different public employee groups’ pensions. Teachers, for example, contribute more of their salaries to their retirement and collect less in benefits than other public employees.
Can the debate on pension reform move from one of polarizing rhetoric to one of mutual compromise that will stabilize budgets and make pensions fair for everyone?
Jason Sisney, LAO State Finance Director, Marcia Fritz, President of California Pension Reform, Allan Clark, President of the California School Employees Association, and Jon Ortiz of The Sacramento Bee’s State Worker blog give their views of the key experts and players in the debate.
The State of the (Public Employee) Union
As cities, counties and states struggle to balance budgets, public employee unions have come under fire from critics arguing that their compensation and benefits, especially their pensions, are overly generous. Some of the most notable battles have occurred in Wisconsin, where Governor Scott Walker sought to eliminate collective bargaining rights for many public employees, and Ohio, where an anti-union measure is the subject of a proposed voter referendum.
Are public employee unions and their ability to bargain collectively the cause of government deficits? Is privatization of government services the answer? What about the influence of public employee unions in politics—is it corrupting the political process and bankrupting our government—or merely giving thousands of public workers a voice in the terms and conditions of their employment?
Steve Maviglio, a Democratic Strategist, a former Press Secretary to Governor Gray Davis and a former Deputy Chief of Staff to two Speakers of the Assembly, Paul McIntosh, Executive Director of the California State Association of Counties, Jon Ortiz, who writes The State Worker Blog for the Sacramento Bee, and Dan Walters, a veteran Capitol observer and columnist of the Sacramento Bee, give their take on the current State of the (Public Sector) Union.
California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley
Established by an executive order from Governor Schwarzenegger in June 2005 and renewed in November 2006, the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley is an unprecedented effort to focus attention on the needs of the San Joaquin Valley by bringing together public and private leaders and resources to address the top challenges faced by the region—from economic development to infrastructure to building sustainable communities. Veteran Sacramento observer Dan Walters compared it to FDR’s Tennessee Valley Authority.
The result was a Strategic Plan for the Valley—with over hundreds of specific actions that address the critical challenges facing our region. How successful has the Partnership been in achieving its goals? What actions are being taken to address the region’s chronic unemployment, housing crisis, infrastructure needs and the possibility of the region’s population doubling by 2050?
Stockton Mayor Ann Johnston, Merced Mayor Bill Spriggs, Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, and Visalia Mayor Bob Link comment on the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, specifically discussing how far we have come and where we are going in the future.
The dilemma is part of a familiar pattern in California, where the state relies heavily on income taxes that go up and down with the economy, and when the economy starts to rebound and tax receipts pour in the budget crisis is quickly forgotten.
Mac Taylor, leader of the State’s non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (or LAO), who is credited by both parties as providing accurate, unbiased information on fiscal and policy matters, Democratic State Senator Michael Rubio and Republican State Senator Jean Fuller are asked will this year be any different and will California’s structural deficit finally be addressed?
Jobs Crisis: The Federal Response
With an unemployment rate around 9 percent nationally, 12 percent in California and between 15 to 20 percent in much of the San Joaquin Valley, jobs has been a topic that has dominated the political agenda at all levels.
In the first part of a three part series on the jobs crisis, we will examine whether an increasingly polarized Capital can resist the temptation to score political points and reach the kind of compromise that will get us out of the economic ditch we are in.
Congressman Jim Costa, Democrat from Fresno will give us the federal government’s response to the job crisis.
Jobs Crisis: The State Response
California’s unemployment rate seems stuck at 12 percent, which is higher than the national average. Fresno and San Bernardino are among the 10 poorest large cities in the U.S. The value of the average California home has dropped by about $90,000. About 3 percent of all home mortgages are in foreclosure. Also, while 150,000 California students get their college diplomas each year, the state is creating only about 50,000 jobs for people with college degrees.
In the second part of a three part series on the jobs crisis, we will examine what solutions are being debated in at the State Capital to solve California’s unique economic challenges, including both the poverty and unemployment rate.
Sen. Anthony Cannella, Sen. Michael Rubio and John Kabateck, California Executive Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, give their take on what the state government’s response is to the job crisis.
Jobs Crisis: The Local/Regional Response
It’s been said that, “as goes California, so goes the nation.” The same could be said for the relationship between the Central Valley and California, but the region lags behind other areas of the state in virtually every indicator of economic well-being. Yet despite this symbiotic relationship, the Central Valley has often been overlooked in Sacramento and Washington. Any economic turnaround has to start with local and regional leadership.
In the third part of a three part series on the jobs crisis, we will examine what solutions are being proposed at the local and regional levels to solve the San Joaquin Valley’s unique economic challenges.
Antonio Avalos, professor of labor economics at California State University, Fresno, Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, Mike Dozier, lead executive of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, and Brad Triebsch, Principal of the $100 million Central Valley Venture Fund, all comment on the job crisis.
How many times have you heard from politicians that they will eliminate “fraud, waste and abuse?” While no one disagrees on that sentiment, few realize that agencies and commissions already exist whose sole mission is to make government more efficient and effective. Who are they and what do they do?
Mac Taylor, leader of the State’s non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (or LAO), California State Auditor Elaine Howle, and Stuart Drown, the Executive Director of California’s Little Hoover Commission, are all members of three state watchdog groups that work to make the California government more responsive to its citizens. These three speak on this episode, as well as Dan Walters, the Sacramento Bee’s popular political commentator, who will give analysis of all three watchdogs.
The Tea Party: Pendulum Politics or Something More?
After Pres. Obama’s inauguration and Rick Santelli’s infamous rant on CNBC in February of 2009, disgruntled conservatives began raucous protests in opposition to bank bailouts, taxes and what they perceived as the over-intrusiveness of the federal government. The tea party surge helped the GOP take back control of the House in the 2010 midterm elections. Today, the Tea Party is a political player with a significant role in the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. One of the most visible Tea Party organizations is the Tea Party Express.
Sal Russo, the chief political strategist for the Tea Party Express, comments on this episode.
California’s Fiscal Outlook: From Worse to Better—But Still Not Good
As California’s non-partisan Legislative Analyst notes, “California and the nation are recovering from the longest and most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression.” Unemployment in California has remained above 11% for two years, and over one million jobs have disappeared since 2008. As a result, State revenues will be $3.7 billion below the level assumed in the June 2011 budget package and will likely result in $2 billion in “trigger cuts,” and then there is the issue of next year’s projected $10 billion deficit.
Mac Taylor, the State’s Legislative Analyst, and John Myers, KQED’s Sacramento Bureau Chief, comment on the question what is California’s fiscal outlook?
California Politics: Reviewing 2011 and Previewing 2012
When Governor Jerry Brown was sworn in, he told California to be prepared for “a tough budget for tough times.” Although the deficit was shrunk in half, the State still faces a $4 billion dollar gap, likely resulting in cuts to various state programs. The budget, pension reform, high speed rail, and the possibility of ballot initiatives will all be hot topics for the 2012 November ballot.
John Myers, KQED’s Sacramento Bureau Chief and Dan Walters, the Sacramento Bee’s columnist covering State Politics, give us their take on the year 2011 in review, as well as what will be on the political agenda at the State Capital in 2012.
California’s High Speed Rail’s New Business Plan: Back on Track?
The issue of transportation is critical in California. To keep up with population growth, we will need to spend over $100 billion on highways and airports just if we do not improve our rail service. Voters passed Prop 1A in 2008, which allowed the state to sell almost $10 billion in general obligation bonds to partially fund the development and construction of a high speed rail system in California. There are many proponents and critics of the projects.
Executive Director of California’s High Speed Rail Authority, Roelof van Ark, Elizabeth Goldstein Alexis, co-founder of Californians Advocating Responsible Rail Design and Al Smith, CEO of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce give their take on high speed rail in California.
California’s Community Colleges: Getting Students to Finish What They Started?
Under the state’s Master Plan for Higher Education, community colleges have offered a degree to anyone who wanted to attend. A new task force states that they can no longer be all things to all people. It made 22 recommendations by creating a statewide assessment system, requiring students to declare a program of study early in their career, creating an online advising system that helps them keep track of their progress, and cutting off fee waivers to students who are persistently failing or dropping courses.
Dr. Jack Scott, Chancellor of the California Community College System, as well as a leader of a community college, Dr. Ben Duran, President of Merced College give their take on the task force’s recommendations.