Local governments – cities, special districts and counties – are the entities closest to the people. They all have locally-elected governing boards and provide most of the direct services to citizens. In 1910, the Separation of Sources Act gave specific authority to local governments and the state to collect taxes,set rates and obligations. Today, they have very little control over their financial resources.
Read more about the relationship between state and local finances.
Millions of campaign $$$$$ are flowing everywhere in our elections. Tracking the money path can be challenging because the information is patchy and found in different places. The League of Women Voters can help you find out who is funding political campaigns and how much money is being spent.
The California State Assembly members are limited to three terms ( 6 years) since 1996. The State Senate members are limnited to two terms (8 years) since 1998. These term limits are lifetime, not consecutive.
The Goverenor can serve two terms of four years, with a limit of two terms. This constitutional limitation was passed in November 1990.
Have your district lines changed for the 2012 elections? Your district numbers may have changed too!
Every ten years the state must undertake redistricting to reapportion or reallocate districts based on California's current population.
The 14 member independent Citizens Redistricting Commission certified to the Secretary of State the final set of new maps on August 15, 2011 for the state Congressional districts, state Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization district boundaries.
The California Supreme Court recently ruled, "that to avoid uncertainty", while challenges to some of the maps are awaiting signature verification, the Commission's maps will be used in the 2012 elections.
The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the population every ten years. The census is vitally important for many reasons but the constitutional purpose is to obtain an accurate count of the population so that district lines can be drawn for Congress and the state legislature
