Oakland Tribune
By Josh Richman

Californians like the ballot initiative process but want to see it reformed, according to a survey being rolled out tomorrow by an East Bay nonprofit.

While Californians strongly support keeping the initiative process – only 21 percent of those surveyed said it should be ditched entirely – an overwhelming 81 percent favored a system of review and revision aimed at avoiding legal issues or drafting errors, something several other states already have. When asked who should conduct such a review, 42 percent plurality preferred a citizen commission over such other possibilities as the state Supreme Court or the Legislature. (more…)

Contact: Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 510-926-4022; 415-846-7758 (cell)

Voters Concerned About Corporate Influence, Seek Better Information, Independent Review of Measures

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – Californians strongly support the state’s ballot initiative process, but many are concerned about corporate and other special interest influence and would like to see reforms, a new public opinion survey conducted for The Greenlining Institute has found. Survey respondents were particularly interested in reforms that would make clear who is funding a given initiative and to provide for independent review of ballot propositions before they appear on the ballot. (more…)

La Opinion
By Araceli Martinez

Organizaciones de inmigrantes ven nueva ley como una victoria

SACRAMENTO.- Como una gran victoria fue vista por las organizaciones defensoras de los derechos de los inmigrantes la nueva ley que permitirá a los nuevos ciudadanos registrarse y votar hasta el cierre de casillas el día de elección. (more…)

Contact:
Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 510-926-4022; 415-846-7758 (cell)
Tunua Thrash, Greenlining Institute Director of Innovation, 310-499-8470

Applications Taken Through Sept. 10 for Leaders to Ensure District Lines Fairly Represent People of Color, Low-Income Communities

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – The Greenlining Institute has extended the application deadline for its California Community Redistricting Leaders program. Greenlining is recruiting dynamic grassroots leaders from around California to spearhead a new push to ensure that redistricting — the process of drawing new boundaries for legislative districts — fairly represents communities of color and low-income Californians. Grassroots leaders chosen for the program will receive a stipend of $2,000.
(more…)

San Francisco Chronicle
Justin Ho, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau

What has historically been a bureaucratic and secretive process of drawing California’s political boundaries has now become a contentious fight over race, power and government transparency.

Two years ago, voters created an independent commission to redraw the boundaries of California’s legislative districts, a process known as redistricting. But even before the new Citizens Redistricting Commission has begun its work, it has landed in a political tug-of-war between good-government groups and Democratic insiders.
(more…)

THE GREENLINING INSTITUTE
A Multi-Ethnic Public Policy, Research and Advocacy Institute
www.greenlining.org

Contact:
Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 510-926-4022; 415-846-7758 (cell)
Tunua Thrash, Greenlining Institute Director of Innovation, 310-499-8470

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – The just-released list of 120 finalists for 14 positions on the Citizens Redistricting Commission is far more diverse than the original applicant pool and represents significant progress toward fully representing all of California’s communities, policy experts at The Greenlining Institute said today.
(more…)

THE GREENLINING INSTITUTE
A Multi-Ethnic Public Policy, Research and Advocacy Institute
www.greenlining.org

Contact:
Bruce Mirken,
Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 510-926-4022; 415-846-7758 (cell)

Tunua Thrash,
Greenlining Institute Director of Innovation, 310-499-8470

New Push to Ensure District Lines Fairly Represent People of Color, Low-Income Communities

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – The Greenlining Institute is seeking dynamic grassroots leaders from around California to spearhead a new push to ensure that redistricting — the process of drawing new boundaries for legislative districts — fairly represents communities of color and low-income Californians.
(more…)

THE GREENLINING INSTITUTE
A Multi-Ethnic Public Policy, Research and Advocacy Institute
www.greenlining.org

With Large Population Groups Underrepresented In Applicant Pool, Greenlining Institute Urges Push for Diversity

Contact: Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 510-898-2053

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA — With an applicant pool for the Citizens Redistricting Commission that is nowhere near representing California’s diverse population, the Applicant Review Panel must commit itself to ensuring that the final body truly represents all Californians, officials of The Greenlining Institute said today. The ARP will meet Friday morning to discuss the applicant review process and the “qualities and characteristics” that members would like to see in panelists.
(more…)