Support for the GPAA

After traversing the state and talking to thousands of Californians and hundreds of organizations, we're encouraged by the support we're hearing for the Government Performance and Accountability Act.  Here's a sampling from leaders around the state:

"I am encouraged by the efforts undertaken by California Forward to require performance-based budgeting at the state and local level.  As in business, government budgets should be about outcomes and not just continued spending."

— Lucy Dunn, President and CEO, Orange County Business Council


"I think the measure is critical. The last thing we want is to see more initiatives to manage California, but this is the right initiative to bring California back into focus. The money we're managing is the public's money, and we owe it to the public to ensure that we are accountable to certain measures. How do you know you're doing well, and how do you know you're doing bad without measures in place? You don't. They are absolutely critical."

— Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione


"Given the state of things in California, there's never been a better time to create a more responsive and accountable form of government in our great state. The Government Performance and Accountability Act will help re-engineer government to forge effective partnerships at the local level and create better outcomes for all Californians."

— Jim Bueermann, Chief of Police, Redlands (ret.); Senior Fellow, George Mason University


"We have known for a long time that the California budget process is in need of an overhaul. This is why VICA is excited to support the inclusion of performance-based budgeting practices in California Forward's Government Performance and Accountability Act (GPAA)."

— Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) President Stuart Waldman


"California Forward is headed in the right direction with their focus on a results-oriented state budget process.  This business savvy approach is long overdue and I am encouraged by their efforts to bring further accountability to state and local government."

— Gary Toebben, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce


"To be competitive, California businesses need a government that provides stability and predictability, and California Forward's measure will provide just that. The GPAA will restore sanity to our state's dysfunctional budget process and require government at every level to do what successful businesses in California are doing already: Set clear goals, measure their results, and then regularly review program performance before making future investments. By shifting more of the state's decision-making back to local communities, it also gives businesses new opportunities to work with government to create jobs in their communities."

— Linda Best, President of the Contra Costa Council


"California Forward's initiative positions both state and local governments to effectively manage California's fiscal affairs to promote concrete results."

— Antonio Gonzalez, William C. Velasquez Institute


"California Forward has taken the much needed initiative to return government to the people by putting together a comprehensive initiative which provides for government to communicate with and be responsive to the people from local to statewide levels. It holds our representatives and government, as a whole, accountable by ensuring local government and community participation.  It is a much needed common sense approach to governance and I fully support the efforts of California Forward."

— Ralph Cansimbe, Vice President, United Latinos Promoviendo Accion Civica


"The state of California is in a continuing crisis because of the failure to think long term. No serious organization or corporation is so short-term in its thinking as is our state. We are like the buggy whip company planning expansion because that motorized vehicle called the automobile will never catch on.

"It is more important than ever to develop more strategic thinking about budgeting in CA. The reforms proposed in the Government Performance and Accountability Act do just that."

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"I am struck that two generations coming out of a Great Depression and a World war were generous to education from kindergarten to college. Now our state is rich because of the vision of previous generations but we are letting education collapse. We need governance and fiscal reforms to allow voters to support education. Shame on a state with Cadillac prisons and jalopy schools. For too long the schools have been dropping in per pupil spending while prisons are Number One in per prisoner expenditures in the nation. I know no one who would make that choice consciously."

— Delaine Eastin, former California Superintendent of Public Instruction


"Thank you California Forward for taking a serious look at the structural problems facing California State Government."

— Andre Quintero, Mayor, El Monte, California


"California Forward’s efforts to provide local governments with flexibility are to be applauded. A one-size-fits-all approach is not working for California’s cities. Community needs differ and therefore flexibility is essential."

— Theresa Harvey, Executive Director, Fullerton Chamber of Commerce


"Changing State Government is difficult and complicated but California Forward is leading the way for needed reform."

— Lee Baca, Los Angeles County Sheriff


"I was delighted to participate in the grassroots community discussions California Forward initiated around reforming government in our state."

— Scott Svonkin, Los Angeles Community College Board Member


"I was delighted to participate in the grassroots community discussions California Forward initiated around reforming government in our state."

— Larry Fondation, Green Dot Public Schools


"I read the CAFWD Proposal and want to say I was impressed with its straight forward but comprehensive approach toward improving governmental performance. It encourages cooperation at the local level to determine common goals. Once common goals are identified and approved, there is a provision to deal with statutes or regulations that would inhibit progress on these goals. Also, a two year State budget might be a promising change from the current annual struggle to put a budget together."

— Bernardo Buenrostro, retired, Franchise Tax Board and treasurer, United Latinos Promoviendo Acción Cívica


"We at United Latinos are proud to share the vision that California Forward espouses. Holding the government accountable, ensuring that everyone pays their fair share of the cost of that government and ensuring equity in all of its services is the most important thing that we can do as citizens and as residents. That is why United Latinos looks forward to supporting the California Forward Initiative proposed for the 2012 ballot. We need you, keep up the good work!"

— Arturo A. Aleman, Director of Strategic Initiatives, United Latinos, Promoviendo Accion Civica


"I'm excited to support California Forward's Performance & Accountability Act because Californians (and Oaklanders) deserve to understand just how state and local governments are spending their precious tax dollars for results that matter."

—  Libby Schaaf, Oakland City Councilmember


"I support California Forward’s Government Performance and Accountability Act (GPAA). I believe that given the ability to work together, local communities can do a better job than the state in many areas. I look forward to the opportunities to work as a team to develop new ways to address the challenges of the 21st century. Through Community Strategic Action Plans, local leaders would be given the tools to work in a collaborative manner which will produce greater results."

— Michael A. Ramos, San Bernardino County District Attorney<


"Like the weather, it is far easier to complain about government than do anything about it. California Forward is changing that dynamic by doing the hard work for us: distilling the best ideas in governance and laying out a pathway that will get our state back on track. All we have to do is pay attention and participate."

— Sara Steinhoffer, Director of Government Relations, Sharp Healthcare


"The Los Angeles Urban League is convinced that California has the potential to lead the nation once again in the 21st Century, but we must soberly reconcile ourselves to the competitive global landscape that is literally shifting beneath our feet. We must immediately elevate the urgency around solving our state’s issues of educational access, community development, affordable health care and housing, and economic development, and we must also, at long last, hold our leaders accountable at all levels. We applaud the early moves of California Forward to deliberately yet thoughtfully ignite a 21st Century vision of California in an effort to help solidify the future of our great state."

— Blair Taylor, president, Los Angeles Urban League


"Many government services are best provided at the local level, where public officials know their communities and residents have access to elected officials. California Forward's Government Performance and Accountability Act provides local governments the flexibility to tailor programs to the needs of their communities."

— Don Saylor, Yolo County Supervisor, former mayor of Davis and former member of the Davis School Board


"The purpose of state and local governments is to promote a prosperous economy, to protect and steward the natural environment, and to provide community equity and public safety. California Forward's Government Performance and Accountability Act advances these goals by focusing all levels of government on increasing employment, improving education, decreasing poverty, reducing crime and improving health."

— Gary Sandy, former mayor, City of Woodland


"As an elected county supervisor serving my 4th term, I fully agree with the concept that "local governance" is best able to provide services and respond to local needs over state and federal governments. However, while financial constraints have resulted in some realignment of services to local government, the reality is a continuing push to consolidate power at higher levels of government. Land use issues, transportation and housing, environmental regulations are moving in an opposite direction from your stated purpose of bringing government closer to the people. Local governance, more and more, is nothing more than an enforcement or regulatory tool of centralized governance at the state level. What is needed is for more policy authority at local government levels to go along with implementation of those policies. If this can be accomplished then the costs of governance can be reduced as the current system of state and federal bureaucracy consumes tremendous sums of tax and fees while often providing little actual benefit to the governed. Thanks for allowing me to weigh in."

— Steven Worthley, Tulare County Supervisor


"Local governments need a stable budget process that helps them meet community goals. The Government Performance and Accountability Act would establish goals and performance measures for all programs and provide incentives for local government agencies to work together to meet the needs of the community."

— Dan Wolk, City of Davis Councilmember


"I like California Forward's idea of communities working together by creating Strategic Action Plans. Local communities are more likely to be able to solve their problems than the state and it's "One-size-fits-all approach. When local agencies work together, we can avoid duplication and will provide better services. When people work together they can accomplish great things."

— Carol Robb, Retired Teacher and Former Member, Board of Directors, National Education Association


"California Forward is to be commended for the Government Performance and Accountability Act (GPAA) they have proposed to simplify and make our governing process much more efficient and transparent. It is a very good first step to get our state working well for us all again."

— Dennis Gutierrez, Inland Empire Hispanic Leadership Council, Director of Governmental Affairs


"California's budget process is broken. Every summer, we end up in a budget crisis, which leads to a lack of confidence in our ability to function as the world's 9th largest economy. I applaud the work California Forward has put into the Government Performance and Accountability Act (GPAA). This act will establish a 2-year budget cycle which will reduce the instability, and yearly circus that we have come to expect when the budget is due."

— Mark Westwood, President, Arrowhead Alliance of the Inland Empire


"Nearly everyone agrees that California's budgeting process is broken. We need to replace it with a process that focuses on what kind of state we want for our children and grandchildren, and allocates our precious revenues accordingly. What outcomes do we seek in public health and safety, education, employment, the environment? The answers to those questions must dictate our spending choices, and we must insist on the transparency needed to hold our government accountable for delivering the outcomes. The Government Performance and Accountability Act is the way to get there. This is not a partisan agenda. It is a framework that all sides can agree on. It has my full support."

— Michael Koltnow, Retired Product Manager, FIS; Member, Saving California Communities


"It’s not enough just to do our jobs; get a degree and live our lives for ourselves. We have a responsibility to return what we have to our community. Public participation is essential to a vibrant and responsive democracy. When government listens, more people are willing to take an active role in their communities and their government. California Forward’s Government Performance and Accountability Act will make it easier for people to understand and participate in setting public policy that meets the needs of the whole community."

— Celina Rodriguez, Forward Thinker and assistant coordinator, Davis Bridge Foundation


"I support California Forward’s Government Performance and Accountability Act (GPAA); in particular, the fact that the Act ensures that local governments are accountable for results. All local governments would be required to identify goals and performance metrics as part of their budgets."

— Robert Melsh, President, Riverside Region Inland Congregations United for Change


"We endorse California Forward's Smart Government Framework to restore solvency, transparency, and reform to governance and budgeting in Sacramento."

— Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce


“The San Francisco Chamber supports making the California government accountable, transparent and performance based. Multi-year, performance based budgeted has been used by states and local governments for many years. Most cities in the state, including San Francisco use pay-as-you-go, balanced budgeting. Many, like San Francisco, are beginning to implement performance-based two year budgeting. State and local laws require a level of transparency unknown by the State Legislature. These reforms will produce results we need to put California back on track.”

— San Francisco Chamber of Commerce


“To become more efficient, public agencies are aggressively exploring shared service solutions to reduce duplication. California Forward has supported Yolo County and other counties around the state in laying the foundation for integrating services and adopting strategies proven to work and make a difference in the lives of Californians.”

— Patrick Blacklock, Chief Administrative Officer, Yolo County


"I proudly support the GPAA because California Forward developed these reforms after an intensive year of consulting with thousands of Californians in a "bottoms-up" approach that honors collective input on ideas and implementation. If passed, the GPAA will increase transparency and accountability across California while improving governments' performance at all levels. The GPAA will encourage the kind of collaboration and integrated services that work so effectively both in my community in Fremont and across the Bay Area."

— Anu Natarajan, Vice Mayor, City of Fremont and Program Director, ALF Silicon Vally's "Reviving California"


"State and local governments today spend hundreds of millions of dollars on budget processes that do not tell the public what is being accomplished, Those same funds can be better used to develop budgets that link dollars to goals and communicate progress toward those goals, which is a primary purpose of public budgets. California Forward's Government Performance and Accountability Act tackles this very problem to improve services and restore public confidence in government."

— Helen Thomson, former Assemblymember (District 8), Yolo County Supervisor and Davis School Board member


"As an advocate for Education, I appreciate the efforts of California Forward to reverse the viscous cycle we are in, and replace it with the virtuous cycle which promotes education, health and the economy, while reducing poverty and crime. I support the Government Performance and Accountability Act, and it's effort to fix our state."

— Gil Navarro, Trustee, San Bernardino County Board of Education


"I support and endorse California Forward's work in bringing forward intelligent reforms which will allow our state to be more functional. I appreciate their work in regards to a 2-year performance based budget. Like any good business, California needs to hold itself accountable for results."

— Rich Wallace, President, Southern California Black Chambers of Commerce


"California Forward has been an effective collaborator in gathering ideas and input. They have harnessed 21st Century technology to connect and engage participants. This approach has led to meaningful community involvement, culminating in the current ballot measure language. In seeking transparency in governance and a community-driven problem-solving model, the Government Performance and Accountability Act reflects a move back to true democracy, particularly with issues that are increasingly complex, as well as a way to change the culture of governance in California."

— Chris Block, CEO, the American Leadership Forum – Silicon Valley


"Given the current economic reality, the City of Culver City has been forced to reduce our budget dramatically. I appreciate the opportunity to lend my support to California Forward, which is establishing the framework to rethink the way we do business, collectively and collaboratively."

— Mayor Micheál O' Leary, City of Culver City


"The purpose of the Kern County Taxpayers Association is to bring about, through cooperative effort and communication, greater economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in all levels of government, basing its recommendations upon the analysis of facts obtained through research. California Forward Action Fund’s Government Performance and Accountability Act (GPAA) does all of this. First, the GPAA ensures our resources will be used wisely through common sense budgeting solutions – PayGo, performance-based budgeting, and multi-year budgeting. Second, it encourages local governments and agencies to cooperate by offering additional resources for those that create Community Strategic Action Plans (CSAP). Because the GPAA will do so much to improve the way our governments handle resources and interact, KernTax wholeheartedly supports the GPAA."

— Michael Turnipseed, executive director, Kern County Taxpayers Association


"I am in support of the direction that California Forward is headed with the Government Performance and Accountability Act given the possibility of the GPAA to create much needed stability, accountability and results in the state."

— Councilman Cliff Numark, City of Torrance


"As the product of California’s higher education systems from pre-Prop. 13 days, I am both beneficiary of and advocate for what excellence can be. California once worked for all people. We may have disagreed but had a sense of the Common Good that kept us united in offering programs and policies that worked. Distrust of government today comes largely from the “solutions” we keep imposing that make things worse, not better. Today we have poor performance in almost every realm, in part from hobbling the people and programs that could make things better. CA Forward, listening to young and old, to liberals and conservatives, to all people from all walks of life, has found common-ground measures that can restore us to sanity. Out of statewide listening and discussions comes the Government Performance and Accountability Act (GPAA) that reflects both the concerns and solutions that engage our citizens. GPAA addresses the need for long term perspectives, for real fiscal responsibility not just cuts to programs for those in need, for improved local control through community strategies, accountability that is more than a buzzword. When citizens find solutions that reflect their honest understanding of the crises and real alternatives, it increases participation and helps avert the cynicism that threatens our stability. GPAA is good policy because it was excellent democracy. We at California Church IMPACT applaud the result."

— Elizabeth Sholes, CA Council of Churches


"I believe in the California Dream. Together we can make our government more responsive to our people, smarter, and more efficient. California Forward is providing real solutions to the government inefficiencies that prevent our communities from receiving the services they need. if you care about California, you should pay attention to California Forward’s reform proposals and support their ballot measure."

— Enrique Gonzalez, San Diego Latino Community Leader

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If you'd like to express your support for the GPAA, send us an email or post a tweet to @MoveCAFWD using hashtag #GPAA.