Is California Ungovernable?

It is not an unreasonable question that George Skelton poses in today's column. Structurally speaking California's government is incredible difficult if not impossible to govern. This is not a sexy topic by any means, incredibly wonky and insider, but so much of what is interesting and vibrant is stifled by the process. We are so huge, yet so small.

California's state Senators actually represent more people than a U.S. House Representative. They are not of and by the people. Large amounts of money dominate decisions and campaigns.

Skelton notes other reasons why California is so ungovernable:

* The two-thirds vote requirement for practically any legislation involving money. Gov. Pat Brown's historic water plan didn't require a two-thirds vote and never got one. Today, it would need to.

* Legislative term limits that result in inexperienced, shortsighted legislators rising to power.

* Egregious gerrymandering of legislative districts -- by legislators themselves -- that virtually eliminates two-party competition and results in the election of rigid ideologues. Lawmakers keep promising to surrender their redistricting power, but somehow never get around to it.

* A ballot initiative system that has run amok. What started as a citizens' reform nearly a century ago has become a tool of special interests attempting to bypass elected representatives. One bad result has been ballot-box budgeting that has removed the governor and legislators from decision-making.

* Political money has become truly obnoxious. Politicians spend much of their time -- the public's time -- hitting up special interests for campaign funds. Then it's only human to feel beholden.

If you look down that list, it is unlikely that any of this can be changed outside of the ballot initiative process. Even though the initiative process is "run amok" the structure of the legislature is what needs to be changed: term limits, two-thirds vote, public financing. If the legislature is broken, we cannot expect them to change it. Then again, many attempts have been made to fix the above, but they have failed.

Take a look at how the fight to pass health care reform has been thwarted by this system. The legislature was limited in what they could pass in terms of funding, since the Republicans refuse to raise taxes and the Democrats do not have 2/3rds control. Even if they passed something without financing they would have to head to the ballot initiative, which is problematic itself. The legislators have steeped themselves in health care policy this year, but nothing makes up for years of experience on these matters. Term limits had an effect, but it is unclear how much of one. Donations have been pouring in from interested parties in health care reform. They have without a doubt had an impact on the negotiations.

The end result has been gridlock, despite the fact that the electorate is actually very much unified behind substantial reform and not polarized as many pundits describe the public.

Fixing all of this will not be easy or quick, or frankly even possible. Yes, I am pessimistic right now. It feels like half of the state is on fire and the legislature can't get anything done. Heck, when they get something done, say pass funding for equipment and man power to fight fires, Arnold vetoes it.

There is a lot of work to be done. Don't worry. I am not quitting. It's just important to be realistic about what we face.