Because it would pave the way for many other reforms, redistricting reform is the most crucial fix of all. State lawmakers who never have to fear losing their jobs never have to worry about doing their jobs. If an independent entity drew California's political boundaries – instead of the politicians in both parties who want all districts to be lopsided one way or the other – we would benefit from a much healthier, less polarized political climate in Sacramento.
This appears to be sinking in with voters, thanks to a horrific legislative session in which lawmakers could not agree on how to address water and prison crises and took longer than ever to craft a state budget. Polls show broad but tentative support for Proposition 11, which would establish an independent commission to handle redistricting, beginning with the 2010 census.
That's the good news. Here's the bad news: The public employee unions which most benefit from and most dominate the Sacramento status quo are gearing up a grossly dishonest multimillion-dollar ad campaign against Proposition 11.
Just such a campaign – one based on the absurd notion that redistricting reform was a racist scheme to transform California into Texas – killed a reform measure in 2005. This year's campaign has a similarly ludicrous theme: Proposition 11 is a politicians' “shell game” funded by “the governor, the oil companies and the developers” to try “to fool people into thinking they'll have power.”
In fact, Proposition 11 is eagerly supported by Common Cause, the League of Women Voters and the ACLU of Southern California and a long list of liberal organizations not normally considered front groups for ExxonMobil. On the other side of the ideological aisle, it's backed by the Chamber of Commerce, the California Police Chiefs Association and many similar groups.
This rainbow coalition is fed up with the Sacramento status quo. The public should be, too.
Don't buy the lies. Vote Yes on Proposition 11.
Online: A list of the Union-Tribune endorsements for the Nov. 4 election can be found at
uniontrib.com/more/endorse2008
