Getting to Reform: Avenues to Constitutional Change in California
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Sacramento Convention Center
A conference sponsored by the Institute of Governmental Studies, University of California, Berkeley, the Bill Lane Center for the American West, Stanford University, and the Center for California Studies, California State University, Sacramento
The demand for change in California is clear, but what is the best path toward constitutional reform? This daylong conference examines the advantages and drawbacks of various paths to reform: individual amendments, a constitutional revision commission, or a constitutional convention. We will examine California’s past experience of reform, the experiences of other states, the legal and political obstacles to reform, and the next steps necessary for concrete achievements.
Media Coverage
"Bicoastal constitutional conundrum" - Los Angeles Times, October 13, 2009
"Top Judge Calls Calif. Government 'Dysfunctional'" - The New York Times, October 11, 2009
Program
9:00 - 9:15 a.m.:
Welcome
Timothy A. Hodson, Executive Director, Center for California Studies, California State University, Sacramento
9:15 - 10:15 a.m.:
What do Californians Think about Reform? (webcast)
This panel will hear the results of new polls by the Field Poll and Polimetrix and a roundtable discussion of public opinion on reform.
Introductory Remarks: F. Noel Perry, Founder, NextTen
Mark DiCamillo, Director, The Field Poll
Tammy Frisby, Research Fellow, The Hoover Institution, Stanford University - presentation part1, part2 (PDF)
Henry Brady, Dean, Richard and Rhoda Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley
Jack Citrin, Director, Institute of Governmental Studies, University of California, Berkeley
Kimberly Nalder, Associate Professor of Government, California State University, Sacramento
Moderator: Thad Kousser, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of California, San Diego, and Visiting Fellow, The Bill Lane Center for the American West and The Hoover Institution, Stanford University
10:15 - 10:30 a.m.:
Break
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.:
Lessons Learned from California’s Record of Reform (webcast)
What can we learn from earlier efforts at constitutional reform like the Convention of 1879, the Progressive Reforms of 1911, and the Revision Commissions of the 1960s and1990s?
Amy Bridges, Professor of Political Science, University of California, San Diego
Glen Gendzel, Assistant Professor of History, San Jose State University
R. William Hauck, President, California Business Roundtable, and
Chairman, California Constitution Revision Commission of 1996
The Honorable Barry Keene, former California Senate Majority Leader,
and staff member, California Constitution Revision Commission of 1962
Moderator: David M. Kennedy, Co-Director, The Bill Lane Center for the American West, Stanford University
11:45 - 12:00 p.m.:
Break
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.:
Lunch and Keynote Discussion (webcast)
The Honorable Jim Brulte, former Republican leader, California Assembly and Senate
The Honorable Bill Lockyer, California Treasurer
In conversation with Marianne Russ, Capitol Bureau Chief, Capital Public Radio
1:30 - 2:45 p.m.:
Recent Experiences in Other States and Nations. (webcast)
California is not alone in considering constitutional change. What are the lessons from similar efforts?
Peter Galie, Director, Raichle Pre-Law Center, and Professor of Political Science, Canisius College - presentation (PDF)
Richard Johnston, Director, Centre for the Study of Democratic
Institutions, and Distinguished University Scholar, University of
British Columbia - presentation (PDF)
Ann M. Lousin, Professor, The John Marshall Law School, and former
Research Assistant, Sixth Illinois Constitutional Convention - presentation (PDF)
G. Alan Tarr, Director, The Center for State Constitutional Studies, Rutgers University - presentation (PDF)
Moderator: Timothy A. Hodson, Executive Director, Center for California
Studies, California State University, Sacramento
2:45 - 3:00 p.m.:
Break
3:00 - 4:15 p.m.:
Comparing Avenues to Reform: Initiatives, Revision Commission, or Convention? (webcast)
What are the legal and political opportunities and obstacles inherent in the various approaches to constitutional change?
Christopher S. Elmendorf, Professor of Law, University of California, Davis
Pamela S. Karlan, Kenneth and Harle Montgomery Professor of Public Interest Law, Stanford University
Richard Temple, Executive Vice President, McNally Temple Associates
Moderator: Mary-Beth Moylan, Professor of Law, McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
4:15 - 5:30 p.m.:
Next Steps to Reform (webcast)
What’s next? Are fundamental reforms needed? If so, how can the current opportunity be seized and not wasted?
Joel Fox, President, Small Business Action Committee, and former President, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
The Honorable Felipe Fuentes, Member, California State Assembly
Steven Hill, Director, Political Reform Program, New America Foundation
James P. Mayer, Executive Director, California Forward
Moderator: Daniel Weintraub, Acting Editorial Page Editor, Sacramento Bee
