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        2008


Prop. 11 Gets Big GOP Money Push
Sacramento Bee
November 03, 2008
Legislature's Balance Of Power May Shift
Sacramento Bee
November 01, 2008
Editorial: Foes Distorting Proposition 11
Sacramento Bee
October 30, 2008
Think Tank Debunks Idea That Prop. 11 Would Hurt Minority Communities
Los Angeles Times
October 30, 2008
Ad Watch: Prop. 11 TV Spot Focuses On Tossing Lawmakers
sacbee.com
October 29, 2008
Minority Groups Fear Loss Of Power

Sacramento Bee
October 25, 2008
Better Lines, Better Representation
Sacramento Union
October 24, 2008
No On 11 Campaign Accused Of Double Speak
sacbee.com
October 23, 2008
2008 Ballot Watch: Proposition 11: Redistricting
Sacramento Bee
October 23, 2008
Ad Watch: Foes Paint Prop. 11 As Too Complex
Sacramento Bee
October 21, 2008
Community Legal Organizations Voice Opposition To Redistricting Proposal
Metropolitan News-Enterprise
October 20, 2008
Schwarzenegger Takes In A Pair Of GOP-Sponsored Fundraisers
Contra Costa Times
October 20, 2008
Proposition 11: Supporters See Redistricting As End To Gridlock
Ventura County Star
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Independent Journal Urges 'Yes' Vote On Redistricting Measure
Marin Independent Journal
October 17, 2008
Ad Watch: Prop. 11 Backers Hammer At 'Politicians' As Foes
Sacramento Bee
October 15, 2008
Proposition 11 Leaves Congress Out Of The Argument
Sacramento Bee
October 14, 2008
Redistricting Isn't To Blame For Partisanship
San Francisco Chronicle
October 12, 2008
Governor Tries Again With Redistricting Bid
San Diego Union Tribune
October 10, 2008
Editorial: Proposition 11: A Vote For Change
Sacramento Bee
October 10, 2008
Editorials - Endorsements '08: Say 'No' To All Propositions Except 11
Sacramento Bee
October 9, 2008
Opinion: Bad Districts Yield Bad Budgets
San Francisco Chronicle
October 5, 2008
The Conversation: Getting Districts Right Is A First Step Toward Reform
Sacramento Bee
October 5, 2008
Prop. 11 Calls For Redistricting Overhaul
San Francisco Chronicle
September 29, 2008
Will State Budget Delay Boost Redistricting Initiative?
Sacramento Bee
September 29, 2008
GOP Votes Not To Back Redistricting
Fresno Bee
September 28, 2008
Budget Signed, Schwarzenegger Sets Sights On Redistricting, Other Changes
Sacramento Bee
September 24, 2008
Schrag: Redistricting Reform - Just Get It Over With
Sacramento Bee
September 11, 2008
Public Policy Institute of California Argues 2001 Redistricting Did Not Make Legislators More Partisan
RoseReport.org
September 10, 2008
The Governor, The Money And Prop. 11
San Francisco Chronicle
September 4, 2008
Editorial: Throw California's Legislature Out If It Can't Get The Job Done
Fresno Bee
September 1, 2008
CCPOA Gives $250,000 To Defeat Prop. 11
Sacramento Bee
August 29, 2008
Prop. 11 Backers File Complaint Against Perata, Prison Guards Union
Sacramento Bee
August 29, 2008
Gerrymandering A Key Culprit In California Budget Mess
Los Angeles Times
August 28, 2008
Prop. 11 Will Take Politics Out Of Redistricting
Marin Independent Journal
August 17, 2008

Reforming Redistricting: Let Independent Citizens Draw The Lines
Capitol Weekly
August 14, 2008

Democrats Need Not Fear Prop. 11 On Redistricting
California Progress Report.com
August 14, 2008
Democrats Break Ranks On Prop. 11
San Francisco Chronicle
August 13, 2008

Proposition 11: Fake Redistricting Reform
California Progress Report.com
August 12, 2008

Dan Walters: California's House Delegation Could Shrink
Sacramento Bee
August 11, 2008 
Proposition 11 Has 2 Giant Loop-Holes In It---And More!
Fox & Hounds Daily.com
August 11th, 2008
Opinion: Would Prop. 11 help minorities?
Los Angeles Times
July 27, 2008
Editorial: Redistricting Threatens Incumbents
North County Times, Escondido
July 24, 2008
Cavala: California Voters’ Initial ‘Take’ On Redistricting Scheme Presages Its Defeat
CaliforniaProgressReport.com
July 22, 2008
Pelosi Reveals Herself And Makes Case For Redistricting, Unintentionally
NewAmerica.net
July 18, 2008 
Opinion: Proposition 11 Levels The Redistricting Playing Field
San Jose Mercury
July 16, 2008
House Dems Oppose Calif. Redistricting Measure
San Francisco Chronicle
July 16, 2008
Cavala: Could Redistricting ‘Reform’ Make California Competitive For John McCain? (No)
CaliforniaProgressReport.com
July 16, 2008
SEIU May Come Out In Favor of Voters’ First
RoseReport.org
July 11, 2008
Nunez Gets $600,000 From Dems’ Redistricting Fund
CapitolWeekly.net
July 10, 2008
Big Money Needed To Redraw Districts
The Sun, San Bernadino and the Inland Empire
July 9, 2008
Commentary: The Initiative Road To Terminal Government Gridlock
Sacramento Bee
July 8, 2008
Remap Proposal Worries Civil Rights Groups
Contra Costa Times, Sacramento Bureau
July 8, 2008
Our View: Perata Won't Fool Us Again
Merced Sun-Star
July 7, 2008
Daniel Weintraub: Voters Beware - Politicians Will Lie To Kill Proposition 11
Sacramento Bee
July 2, 2008
Gerrymandering The Vote: How A “Dirty Dozen” States Suppress As Many As 9 Million Voters
Democratic Leadership Council
June 2008
Editorial: Perata's Power Play
San Francisco Chronicle
June 30, 2008
Democrats Fear Redistricting Measure Would Curb Their Power In State
San Francisco Chronicle
June 27, 2008
Election-Map Initiative Helps Voters, State Progress
Sacramento Bee
June 27, 2008
Politics And California Redistricting
CaliforniaProgressReport.com
June 27, 2008
Millions On Line In Ballot Drives
Sacramento Bee
June 24, 2008
Democratic Leaders Accused Of Pressuring Supporters Of Redistricting Measure
Contra Costa Times Sacramento Bureau
June 21, 2008
California Is Branded Among A 'Dirty Dozen' On Gerrymandering
Los Angeles Times
June 19, 2008
Redistricting In California: Control or Democracy?
CaliorniaProgressReport.com
June 19, 2008
Changing Method Of Redistricting Makes Ballot
San Francisco Chronicle
June 18, 2008
Government Reformer Down On Redistricting Initiative
PolitickerCA.com
June 18, 2008
 
Redistricting Initiative Makes California Ballot
San Jose Mercury News
June 17, 2008
Democratic Party Takes Stands On Ballot Measures
CaliforninaMajorityReport.com
June 17, 2008
Cavala: Republicans Kill Reform Bill That Hurts GOP Chances While Democrats Support 'Reform' That Hurts Their Chances
CaliforniaProgressReport.com
June 9, 2008
Speaking With The New Speaker
Los Angeles Times
June 2, 2008
Two Plans Created To Reform Districts
Modesto Bee
May 19, 2008
New Speaker Should Focus On Public Interest
Los Angeles Daily News
May 13, 2008
Why Schwarzenegger's Redistricting Plan Won't Work
California Majority Report.com
May 13, 2008
Tony Quinn: Redistricting Reform OK, But It's Only A Start
Sacramento Bee
May 11, 2008
Governor May Face Donor Fatigue
Contra Costa Times
May 11, 2008
California Redistricting Plan Faces Hurdles
Capitol Weekly
May 7, 2008
Dan Walters: Competing Proposals For Remap
Sacramento Bee
May 7, 2008
Initiative On Redistricting Closer To Ballot
San Francisco Chronicle
Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Nunez Pushes Ethics Plan As Rival Petitions Are Filed
Sacramento Bee
May 7, 2008
To Get Leadership Reform, We First Need Redistricting
Los Angeles Daily News
May 1, 2008

Good Intentions Could Harm Redistricting Ballot Measure
Los Angeles Times
April 28, 2008
Redistricting On Track To Qualify, Consultant Says
New America Foundation.com
April 23, 2008
Why Are GOP Contributors Putting Big Money Into Redistricting Reform?
California Progress Report.com
April 19, 2008
Gov's Giving To Remap Measure Tops $1 million
Sacramento Bee Capital Alert
April 21, 2008

‘Due Process’ Democrats Have Their Heads Buried in the California Sand
California Progress Report.com
April 20, 2008

Opinion: Seeing The Light 
Los Angeles Daily News
April 19, 2008
California Voters FIRST Presents A Balanced And Bipartisan Effort For Redistricting Reform
California Progress Report.com
April 17, 2008

Schwarzenegger's Redistricting Plan Comes Under Fire
Contra Costa Times
April 17, 2008

Group Says Plan Will Put A Stop To Gerrymandering

The Simi Valley Acron
April 4, 2008
The Need For Redistricting Reform From This California Democrat’s Perspective
California Progress Report.com
April 4, 2008
Labor Says No To Schwarzenegger/Republican/Common Cause Redistricting Measure 
The California Majority Report.com
April 02, 2008
Revenge In Attack On Legislative Redistricting?
California Progress Report.com
March 31, 2008
Weintraub: Governor Gets Another Shot At Redistricting Reform
Sacramento Bee
March 30, 2008
Editorial: Can't Legislature Do Better Than Bills On Dogs, Donkeys?
The Fresno Bee
March 30, 2008
Walters: Voters Irate At Budget Posturing
Sacramento Bee
March 28, 2008
New Foundation To Campaign For More Efficient California Government
Sacramento Bee
March 27, 2008
Editorial: California Voters Should Support Redistricting Ballot Measure
Fresno Bee
March 24, 2008
Editorial: Redraw the Map
Los Angeles Daily News
March 22, 2008
Walters: Court Ruling Offers Hope to Dysfunctional California Politics
Sacramento Bee
March 19, 2008

Supreme Court to Hear Major Redistricting Case
The Thicket at State Legislatures (ncsl.com)
March 18, 2008
Editorial: Let Citizens Redraw the Map
The Torrance Daily Breeze
March 17, 2008
Walters: Redistrict Reformers Miss Mark
Sacramento Bee
March 10, 2008
Let Citizens Redraw Map
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
March 9, 2008

Governor Proposes Redistricting Ballot Measure
North County Times
March 8, 2008
Redistricting Initiative Has Strong Republican Backing
San Jose Mercury News
March 6, 2008
Governor Gathers Signatures to Qualify Redistricting Measure
 
San Jose Mercury News
March 4, 2008
Manipulative Lawmakers Playing To The Crowd
Fresno Bee
February 14, 2008
State Voters Need To Do What Lawmakers Won't
Los Angeles Daily News
February 14, 2008
Editorial: What We Need In Sacramento, Redistricting, Not Retaliation
San Jose Mercury News
February 14, 2008
Redistricting Reform, Not Longer Terms, Is The Answer
California Republic.org
February 12, 2008
The Buzz: A Hardball Tactic Could Ricochet
Sacramento Bee
February 11, 2008
Wake Up, Sacramento Media! Wake Up! Wake Up! Wake Up!
San Diego Union Tribune
February 8, 2008
Editorial: Passive Aggressive Lawmakers Just Play to the Crowd
Fresno Bee
February 8, 2008
Nunez Takes Blame For Prop. 93 Loss
Los Angeles Daily News
February 7, 2008
Weingand: Voters Got A Whiff and Said 'No'
Sacramento Bee
February 7, 2008
Lawmakers Believe In Term Limits But Oppose The Measure

North County Times
February 4, 2008
Good For Us
Los Angeles Times
February 4, 2008
Commentary: A Conversation with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Sacramento Bee
January 20, 2008
Walters: Two Party Structure Under Fire
Sacramento Bee
January 18, 2008
Walters: Governor's Brownian Flip-Flops
Sacramento Bee
January 16, 2008
Editorial: Corruption of a Good Idea
San Francisco Chronicle
January 15, 2008
Governor Supports Term Limit Measure
Sacramento Bee
January 15, 2008
A Deceptive Prop. 93
San Francisco Chronicle
January 10, 2008
Use Prop. 93 To Say 'No"
dailybreeze.com
January 3, 2008

            

more

Ad Watch: Foes Paint Prop. 11 As Too Complex

Sacramento Bee
October 21, 2008

Opponents of Proposition 11, to change how California's political districts are drawn, have run their first TV ad.

The 30-second spot is airing in the San Francisco and Los Angeles media markets, spokesman Paul Hefner said.

Proposition 11 would make a 14-member citizens commission – rather than lawmakers – responsible for drawing legislative and Board of Equalization districts.

The ad features a man lecturing a woman on details of picking commission members.

Here is the text and an analysis by Jim Sanders of The Bee's Capitol Bureau:

Text

Man: "Prop. 11: Bureaucrats choose 60 candidates for a 14-member redistricting commission. Legislative leaders have their veto. Then eight of the 14 are selected by a random draw. And those eight get to pick the other six. All 14 could come from anywhere – L.A. or San Francisco or Lone Pine."

Woman: "Guess they never heard of 'no taxation without representation.'"

Announcer: "No on Prop. 11. Too confusing, too complicated and totally unfair."

Analysis

Voters are not likely to approve an initiative they don't understand, and the ad's message is simple – don't bother, it's too technical.

The flip side, however, is that killing Proposition 11 would continue to allow legislators to tilt districts left or right to protect incumbents, which they did in 2001.

None of 120 legislative seats has changed party hands in the past two elections.

The ad makes selected points about forming the commission, which would consist of five Democrats, five Republicans and four other voters.

The ad fails to mention, however, that voter applicants would be trimmed to 60 by a three-member panel of state auditors, of differing parties, who must consider analytical skills, impartiality, and the state's geography and other diversity.

Legislative leaders could strike up to 24 of the 60 finalists for the commission, whose responsibilities – contrary to the ad's mention of taxation – would be limited to drawing maps.

If nine of the 14 commissioners could not agree on new maps, the California Supreme Court would assume the once-a-decade duties.