Executive Director's Message Archive

League Board and Leaders Chart Strategic Path for 2012

A group of 130 League leaders and board members met recently to set the organization’s priorities for the coming year.

by Chris McKenzie

“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