event Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government Jun 4, 2015 About the ProgramPPIC president, CEO, and survey director Mark Baldassare will have a conversation with John Myers, senior editor of KQED's California politics and government desk, about the findings of PPIC’s latest survey. The survey looks at Californians' views of the drought and the state's response to it. It also gauges support for the governor's revised budget and his proposed state Earned Income Tax Credit, as well as several tax proposals. This research was supported with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.
blog post How Did California’s Voter Registration Rate Get So High? By Eric McGhee Nov 14, 2019 Voter registration is the highest it has been before a primary election since World War II, according to the latest information from the California Secretary of State.
Report Interest Group Influence in the California Initiative Process By Elisabeth R. Gerber Nov 1, 1998 Perhaps the most dramatic change in the California political system over the past two decades has been the increasing use of the initiative process. Between 1976 and 1996, Californians voted on 106 statewide ballot initiatives. Spending on initiative campaigns has grown commensurately, peaking in 1996 at an all-time high of $140 million. Many observers argue that the initiative process has been captured by wealthy economic interests able to "buy" favorable initiative legislation. This background paper presents evidence to the contrary. Despite their vast monetary resources, economic interests are generally unable to enlist the sympathy of a sufficiently large number of people to pass new laws through the initiative process. Economic groups more often and more successfully use their resources to oppose ballot measures and thereby maintain the status quo.
blog post Anxious California Voters Will Weigh In on Climate Policy this Fall By Mark Baldassare Jul 27, 2022 Amid widespread public concern about the effects of climate change, a November ballot measure would provide funding for programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the tax on personal income over $2 million.
blog post What Approval Ratings Say about Jerry Brown’s Legacy By Mark Baldassare Dec 17, 2018 One of Jerry Brown's most important legacies as governor of California is the role he played in restoring the public's confidence in state government.
Report Deep Roots: Local Government Structure in California By Paul Lewis Sep 1, 1998 Many observers have argued that California's system of local government is too complex and fragmented. They contend that such complexity hinders coordination among governmental activities, makes it difficult to establish political accountability, and may lead to inefficient provision of services. Some have further argued that the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 exacerbated the problem, leading to a proliferation of new cities and special districts and fundamentally altering California's local governance structure. This report examines the long-term trends in California's local government structure and the possible effects of Proposition 13. It presents a new, more accurate method for measuring local government fragmentation and illuminates the factors that contribute to differences in local political structure around the state.
interactive California’s Political Geography Feb 29, 2012 These maps illustrate the geographic variation of Californians’ opinions on a variety of fiscal, social, and political issues.
blog post Partisan Loyalty Trumps Gender Solidarity in California By Alyssa Dykman Oct 10, 2018 With recent national events and a record number of women running for US Congress and statewide offices, will women play a pivotal role in the 2018 election?
