We’re launching! Let’s modernize the California Constitution.
Good Government California, a nonpartisan organization working to modernize the California Constitution, is officially launching today.
The organization’s focus is on improving the "rules of the game" for making state laws and amending the California Constitution, so that important reforms finally become possible on the issues Californians care about - from housing affordability to schools, climate, and the economy.
"California is taking on big challenges, but our state constitution is blocking progress instead of helping us," said Joanna Gubman, Executive Director of Good Government California. "Better government is going to take a better constitution - one that builds in more inclusive processes, better balance of power, and a degree of both care and responsiveness in lawmaking that matches the actual stakes."
Complementing existing issues-based advocacy groups, Good Government California is focused on outcomes that reflect California’s system of government itself:
Fewer, higher quality ballot initiatives
Balanced rules for amending existing law
Space for fair, thoughtful deliberation
Accountable, empowered elected leaders
With the November election approaching, good government is top of mind for many Californians. 89% of likely voters think ballot measures are too complicated and confusing, and 77% think there are too many. Voter information pamphlets are hundreds of pages long.
As part of its launch, Good Government California is inviting Californians to sign a petition asking their state legislators to fix this broken system, as part of a broader call to prioritize updating the state constitution so that it delivers tangible results - empowering Californians rather than burdening them.
About Good Government California
Good Government California is a nonpartisan organization working to modernize the California Constitution so that our foundational rules of government support fair, creative, and impactful problem-solving. Our team brings experience in state government, law, democracy reform, and grassroots organizing. Learn more at goodgovernmentca.org.
About the team
Mx. Gubman is a former Administrative Law Judge and advisor at the California Public Utilities Commission, where she oversaw billions of dollars in public funds. She also led Urban Environmentalists, a YIMBY Action initiative, and was a German Chancellor Fellow. Most recently, she published a white paper on comparative state constitutional design at the Research Institute for Sustainability in Potsdam, Germany.
The organization's Council of Advisors includes California Air Resources Board member Cliff Rechtschaffen, American Public Trust founder Rahmin Sarabi, and California YIMBY Director of Growth Muhammad Alameldin. Board member Louise Dyble is an environmental attorney at Hanson Bridgett and published author on California infrastructure governance.
Media contact: Joanna Gubman, [email protected]
