One more election!

After the madness of last year with its multiple elections, most San Franciscans were looking forward to a quiet electoral year in 2009. However, we are going to be treated to a special state election on May 19 so the legislators can ask us to vote on six ballot measures. To do this the rules have had to be changed to allow the measures to be rushed through the legislature and brought to the voters. California has already proved it has a chaotic system of government and this is one more demonstration of how poorly the citizens are served. There will not be time for sufficient information about the ballot measures to be circulated, so many voters will be voting blind if they cast a vote at all. Perhaps this is the best demonstration so far that a constitutional convention should be called so Californians can eventually get themselves a rational form of government.

Fixing the constitution?

Yesterday a group of concerned Californians met in Sacramento to discuss calling a constitutional convention to reform the state's constitution. One of the major issues is changing the two-thirds vote now mandated for passing a budget. This rule, passed in 1933, gives the minority party the power to hold up the budget for weeks or months every year. Most states require no more than a 55 percent approval for the budget. Anyone who has tried to plow through the state constitution knows that it is a chaotic document with hundreds of amendments added to the original version. Whether you agree with the idea of calling a constitutional convention or not, this is an important issue to follow. Don't let it be buried under more immediate events. Although the process of rewriting the constitution will no doubt take years, it will affect the lives of all Californians for generations to come.

It's about time for a convention

The painful budget crisis that all Californians have gone through over the past month has made us more aware of the weaknesses in our governance. One idea that has been supported by several civic groups, including the League of Women Voters, is to hold a constitutional convention to reconsider the state's governance. On Tuesday, Feb. 24, a Summit to consider how a constitutional convention could be organized and implemented will be held in Sacramento. Representatives of many organizations will attend, but for those of us who cannot be there, it will be important to watch what happens and to work to ensure that a revamping of our constitution will be be made with input from the public and will truly represent the will of the people.

Hard choices for hard times

Balancing the city's budget is important, but there aren't many easy choices left. The news this morning that the city's recreationg centers will raise fees and that some workers will be laid off is not easy to swallow. San Francisco's recreational facilities have been a major feature of life in the city and it will be hard to have them cost more and therefore become less accessible to many residents. As for the increasing number of parking meters in Golden Gate Park, it would be hard to find anyone who is happy about that. A park should be a place where people can relax and enjoy the day rather than worrying about whether they'll get back to the car in time to avoid a ticket. Will the measure drive park users to public transit? That's doubtful because transit is a difficult and uncomfortable way to get to the park's many attractions. Maybe there is no good answer for the city's budget woes. That's what's so depressing about a depression.

Are we doing it right?

As people in San Francisco watch the budget fiasco in Sacramento we can at least feel a little smug about how well the city is handling its finances. However, as the SF Chronicle points out, the budget respite in the city is only temperary. Starting in July the city will be facing a deficit again and in the meantime, money that was supposed to go to Muni to upgrade services is being used to pay for current expenses. Our overstressed public transit system is becoming more crowded every week. Train after train pull into the underground stations, each one with standing room only. As the cars emerge to street level, they become packed. Rush hour extends to half the morning going downtown and several hours of the evening. The Mayor understands that we must make the city hospitable to business, but lets make it hospitable for workers too. Perhaps Muni fares need to be raised. Someone should be planning ahead to ensure better public transit for the future.

Leave it to the ladies

As the League of Women Voters celebrated its 89th birthday this month members could look with pride on the number of women who are serving this country by working with the government to get things done. A case in point is the Stimulus Bill which has just been passed in both houses of Congress with the help of compromises crafted by the two women senators of Maine, Sen. Olympia Snow and Sen. Susan Collins. Working with Senator Arlen Spector of Pennsylvania, these two women came up with a package that was accepted by enough of their fellow legislators to ensure its success. Most women today find it hard to believe that only a few generations ago these women would have had to stay at home and urge their husbands, fathers, or brothers to lead the country. Now they can handle it themselves. This is a banner year for many previously disenfranchised groups and calls for a celebration by all people who value civic engagement.

Are there any jobs?

With job cuts being announced every day, not only are current job holders fearful of losing their jobs, but students looking to the future are worried about what they can possibly study that will get them a job. It is encouraging to read the Chronicle's article about the variety of jobs in the green economy which spells out some of the types of jobs that are likely to grow rather than shrink. Few people know about jobs like a "Residential energy field auditor" but those who prepare for this type of job are likely to be needed as more people become aware of the need to change energy practices. Training for some of these jobs is available at local community colleges and universities, some of them also listed in the article. Let's encourage young people to plan for a realistic future instead of just bemoaning the present.

Exploratorium moving

There's good news for people who loved San Francisco's Exploratorium. For years it's been a favorite spot for local families and tourists in its home at the Palace of Fine Arts, but now it has plans to move to a new location on the Embarcadero. The move will take about two years (perhaps more) so we'll have plenty of time to get used to the idea. The new building will have more space for exhibits and activities and will offer spectacular views. Although there has been some discussion of threats to the marine environment posed by the building, it looks as though planners have been able to work out acceptable ways of building to avoid dislocating birds and marine life. In these days of gloomy news day after day, it's encouraging to think that one institution at least is planning for a brighter future.

Building for the future

Two themes running through much of the news these days are the economic downturn and how it is affecting all of us and the crumbling environment in which we live. As the government in Washington works on a stimulus package to get our economy going, surely they should try to align it with the need for infrastructure repair throughout the country. In the NY Times this morning, Bob Herbert points out that Americans are dying because of the lack of maintenance in things like the levees in New Orleans and a bridge in Minneapolis. Here in San Francisco, there is high awareness of the fragility of our buildings, roads, bridges and water systems, but not enough has been done. We, as private citizens and community groups must keep reminding our legislators at all levels--local, state and federal--that we would be willing to support bond issues and increased taxes to ensure the future for ourselves and our children. Let them hear from you soon.

Water, water everywhere?

Californians are used to being told the state faces water shortages as population grows, making the crises of periodic droughts even greater than they've been in the past. A good overview of the situation is given in the S.F. Chronicle which reports on the low resevoirs in the Bay Area and further afield. Unless the very heavy rains come in February and March, many of us are facing mandatory rationing this summer. The Bay Area League sponsored an educational day on Jan. 31 called "Water: California's New Gold" where participants heard about the many areas in which we are failing to safeguard our water. The Delta faces threats as its ecosystem is stressed by increasing demands for water while invasive species threatened the populations of fish and other creatures that maintain the system. Private individuals can do their share to conserve water in many ways, but it will take large public efforts, perhaps including a peripheral canal around the Delta to offer long-range solutions. Even though the economic system is suffering and people are feeling poor, it's important that we don't lose sight of the major public interests that require public monies. We need to continue to press our legislators to look to the long term as well as the short.