I admit to being incredibly cynical about the California Legislature, but that doesn't mean I think the situation in Sacramento is hopeless.
I know. I've called for the Legislature to be abolished, but I'm not saying there should be anarchy. I'd like to see a unicameral legislature, with only one house doing California's legislative business. The way it works now, it's easy pickings for the special interests. If they don't get their way in the Assembly, they'll get their way in the Senate.A one-house legislature would be much more efficient, especially when working with the governor on the state's most contentious issues. It also would end the lawmakers' tendency to blame the other body for not getting anything done. Finger-pointing is an art form in Sacramento.I wouldn't even mind if the 80 members of the Assembly and the 40 members in the Senate became a 120-member house. Spread those 120 members across the state and the Legislature would be much more grass roots than it is now.There are several other things that can be done to improve state government. Shaking the Legislature out of its gridlock is a theme I've been pushing for quite awhile. Nothing will get these folks producing substantive results for the public unless fundamental adjustments are made in the system.Unfortunately, the people representing us in Sacramento don't see a problem and changing the system is the last thing on their agenda.There are many areas needing improvement, but here's a start: Reform the redistricting process so an independent commission draws the boundaries of legislative districts. That will make seats more competitive and result in fewer lawmakers on the extreme wings of both major parties. Change the requirement for passing the state budget from two-thirds of the legislators to 55%. That way, a handful of lawmakers can't hold up the budget indefinitely, but a super majority will still ensure that minority interests are represented. Limit the number of bills that can be introduced in each session so the big issues get the full attention of lawmakers. They'd rather deal in the trivial than spend their days finding solutions to the difficult problems. This intellectual laziness is a major reason California is mired in problems. In good economic times, require that a substantial portion of revenues be set aside to get the state through the bad times, such as we are in now. When money is pouring into the state, it is quickly spent on pet projects or paid out in raises for public employees. That must change. Everyone except the Legislature understands that there are economic cycles, and revenue fluctuates.We may see some action on the redistricting problem this year, but it won't come from the Legislature. Organizations outside the Assembly and Senate are pushing a redistricting initiative that is expected to be on the November ballot.But legislative Democrats may try to confuse voters by offering a competing redistricting measure. It's their hope that frustrated Californians will kill both of them at the ballot box.In addition to the redistricting effort, there are independent groups pushing broader legislative reforms.They may get some traction among Californians who don't like the direction the state is going. But it will be difficult because most voters don't pay attention to the details of government.California Forward is a bipartisan group that wants to create a more "responsive, representative cost-effective government." Its members will take on basic governance issues and attempt to build a political constituency for change. This year, California Forward is working on redistricting reform and the state budget process.James P. Mayer, the group's executive director, said California Forward is supporting the redistricting initiative put up by California Voters First. Mayer's group wants to have a long-term impact on California with its reforms.It has an impressive leadership, including former Congressman Leon Panetta, who was President Bill Clinton's chief of staff from 1994 to 1997; and Thomas V. McKernan, CEO of the Automobile Club of Southern California.It's a great idea to attempt these reforms from the outside and bring the public along. Nothing will change until the public finally demands that lawmakers reform the Legislature.The California Legislature did good work in the 1960s and 1970s. But it's a system ill-equipped to deal with 21st century problems.