Moderate reforms didn’t halt immoderate results

By: Steven Greenhut, 9/20/2013

For years, California reformers — especially those of a moderate political stripe — have pushed for changes to the political system that would lead to a more responsive and less ideological Legislature.

Although the state never called a new constitutional convention as some of these folks wanted, the state’s voters passed key measures on the reformist agenda. The legislative session that ended around midnight Thursday offers a good chance to judge the initial effectiveness of these reforms.

In 2008, voters approved the Voters First Act, which put redistricting in the hands of a citizens’ commission. In June 2010, voters replaced party primaries with a system by which the top-two candidates from either party move ahead to the general election. In November 2010, voters approved a simple-majority budget process……ToRead More….