Local Governments Under the California Constitution

June 3, 2022 6:20 amJune 3, 2022 6:24 am

Local governments are a critical part of California’s government. The 58 counties, 482 cities, and several thousand special districts comprise local government. Article 11, dealing with local government, which was last amended in the California Constitution by Proposition 2 on...

Validation Bills in the California Legislature

March 15, 2022 8:39 amMarch 15, 2022 11:40 am

Each year, the Legislature enacts a series of “validation bills” which enact the First Validating Act, Second Validating Act, and Third Validating Act. These Acts are intended to validate the organization, boundaries, acts, proceedings, and bonds of the state and...

Why Can’t Government Financial Reporting Match Private Sector Standards?

September 23, 2020 6:09 amSeptember 23, 2020 6:22 am

If you want current financial information on California’s state government, you won’t find it. The most recent consolidated annual financial report for California’s state agencies is for the fiscal year ended 6/30/2018. That’s over two years, or nine quarters ago. To put...

Removal from Office

August 17, 2020 6:30 amAugust 17, 2020 6:31 am

Government Code Title 1, Division 4, Chapter 7 deals with removal from office. Article 1, containing Sections 3000 to 3003, is on general provisions and was enacted in 1943. Section 3000 provides that an officer forfeits his office upon conviction...

California Local Governments Overview

March 1, 2019 6:58 amMarch 1, 2019 7:03 am

The role of local governments in California cannot be overstated. The 58 counties, 482 cities, and over 3,000 special districts (from vector control agencies to local air districts) all play a critical role in making and implementing public policy in...