Jerry Hill issues statement on government reform efforts

Measures would lead to on-time budgets and increase government efficiency

Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Jerry Hill (D – San Mateo) today joined with members of the Legislature to advance government reform measures developed by the bipartisan coalition California Forward.

“As a member of the Government Reform Committee I’ve participated in numerous hearings throughout the state over the last six months aimed at developing reforms that will make state government more transparent and efficient,” said Assemblymember Hill.  “I’m thrilled that these reform proposals will now move through the legislative process so the public can participate in our effort to get constitutional change on the ballot as soon as possible.”

California Forward was created by California Common Cause, Center for Governmental Studies, New California Network and The Commonwealth Club of California’s Voices of Reform Project.  The goal of California Forward is to contribute to improving the quality of life for all Californians by creating more responsive, representative and cost-effective government.

The Legislature will amend the constitutional reforms proposed by California Forward into constitutional amendments in the Assembly and the Senate that will be vetted through the committee process in both houses. Additionally, the Legislature will undertake a series of institutional reforms to improve oversight, prioritize key issues and promote bipartisanship.

The constitutional amendments will include the following elements of the California Forward proposal:

Ø      Reducing the vote threshold for passing a budget to a simple majority vote.

Ø      Raising revenues and creating fees to replace taxes would still require a 2/3 vote threshold.

Ø      Requiring legislators to forfeit pay and per diem if a budget is not passed on time.

Ø      Giving authority to the Governor to reduce spending in the Budget Act if the Legislature does not pass a measure to address a fiscal emergency.

Ø      Limiting the use of “one-time” revenue for one-time purposes.

Ø      Establishing performance standards for state programs that are periodically reviewed. 

Ø      Requiring lawmakers to identify funding sources for bills.

Legislative reforms include:

Ø      Re-invigorating the Sunset Review process to evaluate the effectiveness of boards and commissions.

Ø      Reducing by 1/3 the number of bills members may carry; allow an exception of up to 2 bills to bipartisan-authored measures.

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Nate Solov

Office of Assemblymember Jerry Hill

916-319-2019 (P)

916-319-2119 (F)

http://www.assembly.ca.gov/hill

Posted by Steve Sinai