Executive Director's Message

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Obsession Can Be a Virtue in Protecting Local Revenues From the State

While public support for our ballot measure is strong, we have to ask ourselves whether we are prepared to devote the effort, resources and focus to this priority to ensure success in November.

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Jobs and the State’s Inability to Connect the Dots

California’s economy is in the worst shape since the Great Depression, and the state is shutting down its only viable source of economic development.

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Rebuilding California Requires Restoring Local Control of Local Revenues

This year, the dysfunction in our state governance became painfully evident as the Legislature and governor adopted budget after budget that failed to meet the test of responsibility in the eyes of…

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

The Constitution Is Not “An Inconvenient Truth”

In the past few years, some state leaders have proposed budget “solutions” that are clearly unconstitutional and fly in the face of the intent of not only the voters but the Legislature itself.

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Reforming California’s Governance: Is It Time for a Grassroots Revolution?

Amid mounting evidence that the state government is hopelessly dysfunctional, various groups are putting together a reform agenda.

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Sustainable Communities: An Urban Imperative

The League has set its strategic sights for the second year in a row on “supporting sustainable communities.”

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Commonplace Miracles of Local Democracy

Voters are overwhelmingly reinvesting in their local governments, local infrastructure and local services by approving ballot measures that authorize tax increases and bond issues for public…

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

The League at 110: Focused on Local Control – and Always Looking Ahead

Protecting local control requires flexibility and responsiveness to the needs and desires of the electorate on issues that demand substantive, thoughtful public policy – without sacrificing local…