The goal of the California Perspectives program is to improve decision making on significant state issues by informing public understanding, promoting broader civic participation and encouraging more effective state governance.

Toward a Better California

California’s governing system has remained nearly unchanged for the past century, even as the state has undergone enormous demographic, economic and social transformations. Californians face some of the most complex issues of any society. Yet our governing system is often hampered by partisan quagmires and short-term thinking that limit our ability to address these issues successfully.

At the same time, many Californians are not engaged in the decision-making processes that shape our public services and policies. Even though surveys show that Californians are concerned about the state’s future, only about half of the state’s eligible voters cast a ballot in most elections, with substantially lower participation rates among the state’s ethnic citizens.

In order to address more effectively the myriad critical issues related to education, housing, health care, the environment and other areas, California needs a governing system that welcomes the consideration of constructive new approaches, incorporates the best data available about current challenges and potential solutions, and encourages the input of a broad spectrum of our population.

The California Perspectives program supports the development of innovative ideas about how California’s governing system can become more responsive to and representative of the needs and interests of all Californians. Throughout our work, we emphasize a nonpartisan, problem-solving approach, engaging with organizations across the political spectrum.

Our California Perspectives program reflects our understanding that quality of life in California, particularly for those with the least advantages, depends on public decision making that is accountable to the full populace’s needs and interests. We seek to foster better public decision making by encouraging more open and accountable government and broader civic participation that is well-informed about our state’s challenges and opportunities.