PD Editorial: Power play

<p>“California is ungovernable.”</p><p>The words were spoken more than 20 years ago by political strategist Stu Spencer, long before the state's budget crisis became perpetual and 11-figure deficits became routine. And, with reform efforts losing momentum, there's more reason than ever to share Spencer's bleak assessment.</p><p>A once-promising bid to convene a constitutional convention ended four weeks ago, thwarted by a lack of money and an apparent boycott by the initiative industry. Last week, California Forward said it can't afford to proceed with a signature drive for its bipartisan budget reform plan, which, among other things, would restore a degree of majority rule in the Legislature. Meanwhile, congressional Democrats and their allies in Sacramento are gearing up to fight California's new independent redistricting panel.</p><p>Now, the lone reform measure to qualify for the June 8 ballot is being attacked in court — with at least tacit support from the people who put it on the ballot. Proposition 14 would create an open primary for state elections, the same top-two system long used for city, county and judicial elections and to choose the state superintendent of public instruction.</p><p>Proposition 14 was grudgingly placed on the ballot by legislative Democrats to secure one of the three Republican votes needed in the state Senate to pass a budget in 2009. On Friday, the California School Employees Association, a big donor to legislative Democrats, filed suit to try to water down the ballot language, specifically to delete statements that an open primary “gives voters increased options” and “encourages increased participation.” The Legislature's attorneys, to put it bluntly, capitulated. Fortunately, state Sen. Abel Maldonado, who insisted on the open primary, and the governor intervened and will argue in court today to retain the ballot language.</p><p>Proposition 14, like most laws, isn't perfect. It wouldn't extend to presidential elections, and it would block write-in candidates from general election ballots. But it's virtues outweigh its flaws. Most important, it could produce competition in one-sided districts by allowing two Democrats or two Republicans to compete in a general election.</p><p>That, in turn, would create openings for less ideological candidates, people more committed to solving problems than protecting special interests and other forces building a partisan fortress in Sacramento.</p><p>As recent setbacks have shown, reform won't come easily for California. It's likely to come in small steps and face stiff opposition from a political establishment created by the status quo. But no change is no option for a state already rendered ungovernable.</p>