tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326905682024-03-07T21:24:38.470-08:00Joe Mathews, JournalistUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-55075351344394427262011-10-31T11:43:00.001-07:002011-10-31T11:45:58.515-07:00Please Join Me Nov. 1 in Fresno for Free, Public Event"Is California Too Big?" It's a serious question. At the core of the state's governance problems is the fact that our system doesn't fit a state of multiple major regions and 38 million.<br /><br />On Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fresno Art Museum, I'll be moderating a free, public panel discussion that looks at how the state might be redesigned (or even split) to fit our regions. The event goes for a little more than an hour -- and is followed by a cocktail reception where the drinks are free. It should be fun. Hope you'll join us.<br /><br />And if you're not in Fresno, please tell your friends who do live in the area. The link for reserving a seat is: http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/upcoming.php?event_id=493Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-46432302521871911012011-02-07T17:19:00.000-08:002011-02-07T17:21:21.147-08:00Video: The People's Machine on CSPAN After WordsHere's the <a href="http://muft.tv/watch/Video,Item,4257319164.html">link</a> to my appearance on C-Span "After Words" for my previous work, <span style="font-style: italic;">The People's Machine</span>.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-9056875462451149502010-12-03T14:36:00.000-08:002010-12-03T14:37:26.862-08:00WSJ Reviews California CrackupThe Wall Street Journal <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704017904575409810240735120.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">raves</a> about my new book (with Mark Paul), California Crackup. Find out more about the book <a href="http://www.californiacrackup.com">here</a>.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-12950156437645371092010-12-03T14:23:00.000-08:002010-12-03T14:24:13.350-08:00Guest Hosting Talk Show, and AudioHere's a <a href="http://www.latalkradio.com/Presses.php">link</a> to the "Off the Presses" show on LA Talk Radio that I guest hosted on Wednesday. (You have to scroll down to find the audio--it's the Dec. 1 show).Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-77032432512320988052010-12-03T14:20:00.000-08:002010-12-03T14:23:03.013-08:00Matt Kemp Could Learn From Mickey MantleAt <a href="http://zocalopublicsquare.org/thepublicsquare/2010/12/02/is-matt-kemp-the-new-mickey-mantle-2/read/books/">Zocalo Public Square</a>, I review Jane Leavy's new book on Mickey Mantle -- a book that another Oklahoma-raised center fielder (the Dodgers' Matt Kemp) should read.<br /><br />Look for more book reviews and essays from me at Zocalo, which is emerging as a leading on-line journal of ideas (in addition to its well-known public forums in California), beginning next year.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-66137109674259944842010-12-03T14:19:00.001-08:002010-12-03T14:19:50.896-08:00Follow Me on Twitter@joemmathews (yes, there's an extra "m" there for my middle name).Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-70374425676189805422010-12-03T14:17:00.000-08:002010-12-03T14:19:07.162-08:00Look for Me on NBC Stations and on Prop ZeroIf you haven't yet checked out NBC's new California site, <a href="http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero">Prop Zero</a>, please do. I'm lead blogger there. As part of my duties, you'll also catch me on NBC stations in LA, San Diego, and the Bay Area.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-17600297070344127332010-07-25T23:57:00.000-07:002010-07-25T23:59:04.430-07:00Please Join Me at the 2010 Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy, July 30-Aug. 4 in San FranciscoThe 2010 Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy is a free, public event I'm organizing in San Francisco, July 30-Aug. 4. You can check out all the details and reserve a seat (again, free of charge) at www.2010globalforum.comJoe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-24523087524612517672010-06-20T13:50:00.000-07:002010-06-20T13:53:28.523-07:00California Crackup Now Available at AmazonAmazon is now fulfilling orders for my new book, <a href="http://www.californiacrackup.com">California Crackup</a>. You can order it now at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/California-Crackup-Reform-Broke-Golden/dp/0520266560/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277066818&sr=8-1">amazon</a>, at <a href="http://www.ucpress.edu/book.php?isbn=9780520266568">UC Press,</a> or at <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/California-Crackup/Joe-Mathews/e/9780520266568/?itm=2&USRI=california+crackup91748/?itm=1">Barnes & Noble</a>.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-83497909924182157892010-06-11T09:10:00.000-07:002010-06-11T09:14:55.399-07:00Events Round-upHere's <a href="http://zocalopublicsquare.org/fullVideo.php?event_year=2010&event_id=400&video=&page=1">video</a> of the Zocalo Public Square panel I moderated last month, "Zurich vs. LA: Which is the Most Democratic City?" And here's <a href="http://zocalopublicsquare.org/fullVideo.php?event_year=2010&event_id=371&video=&page=3">video</a> of another Zocalo panel I led, "Would California Be Better Off As Its Own Country?"<br /><br />Here's an <a href="http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/thepublicsquare/2010/05/02/john-a-perez-on-californias-future/">account</a> of my one-on-one Zocalo Public Square event with Assembly Speaker John Perez. And here's <a href="http://zocalopublicsquare.org/full_video.php?event_id=376&video=">video </a>of same.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-53243829112886146682010-06-10T22:39:00.000-07:002010-06-10T22:44:57.519-07:00My New Book, California Crackup, Is On Sale NowTerrific news. The new book I co-authored with my New America colleague Mark Paul -- California Crackup: How Reform Broke the Golden State and How We Can Fix It -- is on sale now. <a href="http://www.ucpress.edu/book.php?isbn=9780520266568">The University of California Press</a> and <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/California-Crackup/Joe-Mathews/e/9780520266568/?itm=1&USRI=California+Crackup">Barnes & Noble</a> web sites are already filling orders and sending out the book.<br /><br />You also may enjoy the book web site, with video and an active <a href="http://www.californiacrackup.com/blog/blog.html">blog</a> on how to fix California, right <a href="http://www.californiacrackup.com">here</a>.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-1505635679109775442010-06-10T22:37:00.000-07:002010-06-10T22:39:21.397-07:002010 Global Forum News: Hotel Discount Expires June 14If you're coming to the 2010 Global Forum and want to stay in a hotel, the good news is that we have negotiated discounts at two Union Square boutique hotels: Hotel Bijou ($99 a night) and the King George Hotel ($109 a night).<br /><br />The bad news is that those discounts expire June 14 (that's Monday), so please book now or risk paying higher rates. For instructions on how to book on-line and get the discount, click <a href="http://www.2010globalforum.com/travel/?_c=ywmqnaujv4p7kh">here</a>.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-75962743364172433662010-06-10T22:33:00.000-07:002010-06-10T22:37:17.642-07:002010 Global Forum Program Released!A draft program for the 2010 Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy -- a free, public event July 30-Aug. 4 in San Francisco this summer -- has been released. The forum brings together scholars, journalists, activists, elected officials and citizens from all over the world -- 6 continents, 40 countries, and more than half the U.S. states will be represented -- to share data and compare practices for the use of initiative, referendum and participatory democracy tools.<br /><br />Hope you'll join us. You can check out the draft program <a href="http://www.2010globalforum.com/modules/blog/view/entry.php?pi=yrkkzcdmm652yy&id=ywi68vs1uzxi0i&done=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.2010globalforum.com%2Fmodules%2Fblog%2Fview%2Fsummary.php%3Fpi%3Dyrkkzcdmm652yy%26chunkSize%3D3%26cat%3D%26search%3D%26chunkNum%3D0%23ywi68vs1uzxi0i">here</a>. And you can register for the forum <a href="http://www.2010globalforum.com/register/?_c=ywmqnaujv4p7kh">here</a>.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-57400027000159028222010-06-10T22:32:00.001-07:002010-06-10T22:33:19.481-07:00Check Out Prop ZeroI'm lead blogger at a terrific new NBC web site on California government and politics -- with a particular emphasis on schools, budget and jobs -- called Prop Zero. Check it out <a href="http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/prop-zero">here</a>.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-10304528799425716002010-06-10T17:45:00.000-07:002010-06-10T22:32:09.982-07:00Reading Jerry Brown's MailI'm one of a handful of journalists who have been granted access to the papers of Jerry Brown's first governorship, which are kept at the University of Southern California. The story of the papers is well told in <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jun/05/local/la-me-brown-archives-20100605">this piece</a> in the LA Times (in which I'm quoted).<br /><br />I'm just beginning to make my way through them, and am offering some early notes in various places.<br /><br />Here's <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-06-05/jerry-browns-letters-inside-a-former-governors-mail/full/">my column in the Daily Beast</a> based on reading his personal correspondence from 1977-1979.<br /><br />From the NBC blog Prop Zero, where I'm lead blogger, here is <a href="http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/More-Brown-Papers-The-Prop-13-List-95270839.html">a post </a>on letters he received after Prop 13 and <a href="http://www.nbcsandiego.com/blogs/prop-zero/ReadingJerryrBrownMail-93908024.html">another </a>on a similar subject.<br /><br />At Fox & Hounds Daily, here's a bit on a<a href="http://foxandhoundsdaily.com/blog/joe-mathews/6966-from-brown-papers-burton-federal-taxes-and-mosquitoes"> long ago reaction</a> by John Burton (now California Democratic Party chairman) to Brown; and <a href="http://foxandhoundsdaily.com/blog/joe-mathews/6956-browns-campaign-manager-lobbies-brown">an old telegram</a> from Brown's now campaign manager.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-76480622523960990762010-06-10T17:43:00.000-07:002010-06-10T17:44:33.544-07:00Palin and FiorinaSarah Palin gave Carly Fiorina's campaign a crucial boost in California. I explain how at <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-06-08/sarah-palins-endorsement-boosts-carly-fiorina-in-california/">The Daily Beast.</a>Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-71984892698503007132010-06-10T17:40:00.001-07:002010-06-10T17:40:51.862-07:00California: Ruined by Supermajorities?<a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-mathews-twothirds-20100530,0,105876.story">Writing in the LA Times</a>, I describe all the various supermajorities Californians have adopted -- and why they don't work.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-41241558608615125812010-06-10T17:38:00.001-07:002010-06-10T17:39:10.567-07:00Election Analysis on "Which Way, LA?"Here's <a href="http://www.kcrw.com/news/programs/ww/ww100609yesterdays_californi">audio and Internet report</a> on KCRW's post-election analysis, with yours truly and others.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-81741663059199560502010-06-10T17:29:00.000-07:002010-06-10T17:43:40.502-07:00NPR Piece on Top Two PrimaryThe victory of Prop 14, the measure to establish a "top two" primary system in California, is national news. I discuss it in <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127749119">this story</a> via NPR.<br /><br />I'm also quoted on initiative results <a href="http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/jun/09/2-industry-sponsored-initiatives-fail-despite-on/">here</a> in the Ventura County Star (on Prop 16) and in the <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/06/08/californians-vote-on-open-election/">Wall Street Journal</a> (on Prop 14).Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-3887323526466843872010-06-10T16:59:00.000-07:002010-06-10T17:29:52.767-07:00Initiative Process and Global Forum on KQEDI appeared on KQED radio (the Northern California NPR) affiliate on May 27 with Bruno Kaufmann or the<a href="http://www.iri-europe.org"> Initiative & Referendum Institute Europe</a> to talk about the comparative merits of European and California direct democracy -- and to discuss the <a href="http://www.2010globalforum.com/">2010 Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy</a>, which takes place in San Francisco July 30-Aug. 4 (Please join us).<br /><br />You can hear audio of the appearance <a href="http://www.kqed.org/epArchive/R201005270900?itemMD5=78a178c11778872419637b0adf5771e5">here</a>.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-86610449582665757872010-05-25T06:51:00.000-07:002010-05-25T06:55:13.478-07:00Please Join Me Tuesday Night in Los AngelesLakers-Suns game 4? Who cares? OK, I care, but it won't be nearly as exciting as the Zocalo Public Square event I'll be moderating tonight (Tuesday, May 25) at 7:30 p.m. at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in downtown LA (111 N. Central). The event is free, as are the drinks at the post-event reception.<br /><br />The question of the evening: "Which Is More Democratic -- Zurich or LA?" is a jumping off point to a discussion of a comparison between the Swiss system of direct democracy and the California version. We have a lot to learn from the Swiss; two Angeleno leaders -- former chamber of commerce chief George Kieffer and California Common Cause president Kathy Feng -- will join a conversation that includes two visitors from Europe: Swiss Parliament member Andreas Gross (who represents Zurich) and Initiative & Referendum Institute Europe president Bruno Kaufmann.<br /><br />You can learn more and reserve a seat <a href="http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/upcoming.php?event_id=400">here</a>.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-92184598613079869942010-05-23T11:06:00.000-07:002010-05-23T11:08:42.468-07:00Monday May 24 Event in DCIn DC? Please join me at New America (1899 L St. NW, Suite 400) on Monday, May 24 for an event I'm organizing on the new European initiative process and what this experiment with transnational direct legislation may mean for the rest of us. Full event description follows:<br /><br />The New America Foundation, The Swiss Confederation, and the American Consortium on EU Studies (ACES)<br />EU Center of Excellence Washington DC<br />Invite you to a<br />ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION on<br />The Rise of Transnational Direct Democracy<br />The European Citizen’s Initiative and<br />What It Means for the World<br /><br />WHEN: Monday May 24, 2010<br />TIME: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.<br />LOCATION: New America Foundation, 1899 L St. NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036<br /><br />Direct democracy is a feature of state and local political life in more than 100 countries around the world. But the adoption of the new European constitution, called the Lisbon Treaty, may mark the beginning of a new era of modern direct democracy.<br /><br />Lisbon establishes the European Citizen’s Initiative, the world’s first transnational direct democratic tool. The process is now being designed and implemented, with those involved looking at models in the U.S., in Switzerland and around the world.<br /><br />The New America Foundation, the Swiss Confederation, and the American Consortium on EU Studies invite you to an event examining how this new citizen’s initiative process came to be, how it may work – and what the example of such an initiative may mean for Europe and for direct democracy in the U.S. and around the globe.<br /><br />Among those expected to participate:<br />Nida Gelazis, Woodrow Wilson International Center (panel leader)<br />Andreas Gross, member of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly and the Swiss National Parliament <br />Bruno Kaufmann, president of the Initiative and Referendum Institute Europe, Europe’s global direct democracy think tank at the University of Marburg, Germany<br />Daniel Hamilton, executive director of the American Consortium on EU Studies, designated by the European Commission as the EU Center of Excellence Washington, DC<br />Desmond Dinan, author of the textbook, Ever Closer Union: An Introduction to European Integration and professor of public policy, George Mason University<br />Paul Jacob, founder of Citizens in Charge Foundation and leader of U.S. term limits movement, expert in American initiative and referendum<br /><br />BACKGROUND: This panel event is a preview of the 2010 Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy, a free, public event being held in San Francisco July 31 through Aug. 4. More details at <a href="http://www.2010globalforum.com/" title="www.2010globalforum.com">www.2010globalforum.com</a>Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-49536651029537938252010-04-28T12:47:00.001-07:002010-04-28T12:51:40.407-07:00Governors Gone WildThis week, Politico runs <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/36319.html">my piece</a> explaining why so many of the nation's governors are facing scandal.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-53287531048063846272010-04-28T12:44:00.000-07:002010-04-28T12:46:49.326-07:00An Evening With Speaker John A. PerezThis Friday evening at 7:30 at MOCA Grand Avenue in Los Angeles, I'll be moderating a conversation with new California Assembly Speaker John A. Perez. It's a free public event put on by Zocalo Public Square. Please join us. You can make sure there's a seat for you by reserving one <a href="http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/upcoming.php?event_id=376">here.</a>Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32690568.post-64520090577004568452010-04-21T12:14:00.000-07:002010-04-21T12:16:48.147-07:00Would California Be Better Off As Its Own Country?Please join me for a free, public event on Thursday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the Autry National Center in Griffith Park in Los Angeles, for what promises to be a fascinating discussion of just that question. I'll be moderating a panel with Democratic strategist (and former government official in both California and DC) Darry Sragow; author and Carey McWilliams biographer Peter Richardson; USC international relations expert Abe Lowenthal; and blogger extraordinaire Dave Dayen. The event is free (with a free reception with free drinks to follow). You can make sure you have a seat by reserving one <a href="http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/upcoming.php?event_id=371">here</a>.Joe Mathewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528120742346772759noreply@blogger.com0