Teamwork: Reform Groups Join Forces to Support Govt Performance and Accountability Act

The state reform groups California Forward and the Think Long Committee have announced that they are teaming up to support the Government Performance and Accountability Act (GPAA), which is a ballot measure that is aiming to qualify for the November 2012 ballot. By joining forces, the organizations will pool resources, funds, and expertise in order to pass an initiative that addresses the state’s dysfunctional system of budget and governance. Tom McKernan, Co-Chair of California Forward, commented, “We welcome the partnership with the Think Long Committee. Think Long and California Forward are at the forefront of the movement to reform governance in our state.  This alliance holds the promise of bringing trust and confidence back to government in California.”

You may recall that Think Long had a reform ballot measure of its own but it ultimately decided to drop the effort. The Government Performance and Accountability Act has plenty of impacts on local government; for instance, local officials would have more flexibility when it comes to spending state revenues. And Political Blotter points out that “It also allows local governments to band together, write a community strategy plan and if the legislature approve it, the local partnership will receive regulatory relief to carry it out.”

If it is approved, the measure would make the following changes:

• Create a two-year state budget cycle;
• Require performance reviews of all state agencies;
• Mandate that all bills be published at least three days prior to a legislative vote;
• Prohibit the Legislature from creating expenditures of greater than $25 million unless offset by spending cuts or identified funding streams;
• Require performance goals in state and local government; and,
• Provide incentives for local governments to work together to streamline government and improve results.

Polling has shown that a majority of voters support the provisions outlined in the initiative’s goals. Nicolas Berggruen, Chair of the Think Long Committee, stated, “The Government Performance and Accountability Act perfectly reflects both the growing public demand in California for a more accountable government and Think Long’s mission of strengthening California’s democracy for the long term. We are looking forward to working together with California Forward to take historic steps to increase public confidence in government and are prepared to dedicate ample time and resources to this worthy cause.”

You can read all the details about the initiative at CA Forward’s website here.