The Bay Area Council has been pushing for a Constitutional Convention for a while now. In the wake of the disaster that was yesterday, they are launching a new website, RepairCalifornia.org, combined with a series of events across the state to encourage the Legislature to put measures on the ballot for a constitutional convention. The group, which is a collection of mostly tech companies from the bay area, also says if the Legislature doesn’t put them on the ballot, they’ll do it through signatures.
The events begin in Sacramento this morning, and will continue throughout the state.
Update by Robert: I am currently in Sacramento to participate in an 11:30 press conference BAC has put together. I’m representing the Courage Campaign, which has supported the Constitutional Convention concept since our members expressed overwhelming support for it back in September. It seems increasingly obvious that a Constitutional Convention is necessary to save this state. It’s time we moved beyond “if” to “how” and “when.”
How:
A citizen convention. The only way how is to put two measures on the ballot as the legislative leadership can’t tie their own shoes, much less pull off a smart move. The first initiative allows voters to call for a convention. The second lays out that the top 15 vote getters from each assembly district are delegates and everything is on the table. This will put representation near the original 30K representation the frames capped for the people’s house, make it as easy as running for CDP to get as much interest (plus related grassroots support) as possible, and ensure that the vast majority don’t expect that they will ascend to another office to stop the play-it-safe mentality that has plagued Sacramento. A citizen convention.
When:
First election with the two questions in June, election of delegates in November, take over a university at the end of finals to host the convention and a ratification vote ASAP upon completion.
I think this has been discussed before on this site, but what do the people of Calitics think of open primaries? I believe it will be on the ballot next June and I want to hear different opinions before I make up my mind.