Executive Director's Message Archive

“Realignment” in Any Other State Would Be Called “Community Corrections”

The California corrections realignment plan is sweeping and aggressive. Instead of trying to accomplish a decline in prison population over a gradual period, the California plan is largely driven by a need to drastically reduce prison populations by 25 percent over the next two years.

by Chris McKenzie

Get Ready for the Big "Trickle Down"

A major change in the role of the federal government is beginning, and it will have dramatic consequences for state and local governments.

by Chris McKenzie

Is the Bell Tolling for Pension Reform?

Rapidly rising pension costs threaten the delivery of public services, compromise budgets and will push some cities to the brink of fiscal collapse.

by Chris McKenzie

What’s the Measure of a City’s Success?

by Chris McKenzie

Redevelopment Debate Is All About Our Old Friend “Land Use”

by Chris McKenzie

Passing Proposition 22 Required Many Hands and Tremendous Support: A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Partner

by Chris McKenzie

The New Transparency in Local Government

by Chris McKenzie and Ken Pulskamp

It’s STILL the Economy: Proposition 22 Will Protect Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs

State government says it is serious about job creation but kills jobs in the private and public sectors by raiding and borrowing local government funds. Proposition 22 offers a solution.

by Chris McKenzie

Obsession Can Be a Virtue in Protecting Local Revenues From the State

While public support for our ballot measure is strong, we have to ask ourselves whether we are prepared to devote the effort, resources and focus to this priority to ensure success in November.

by Chris McKenzie

Jobs and the State’s Inability to Connect the Dots

California’s economy is in the worst shape since the Great Depression, and the state is shutting down its only viable source of economic development.

by Chris McKenzie