I’ve dedicated the last 20 years to California state policy and politics, the first seven years as a special advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger and the balance as president of political action group Govern For California and lecturer in public policy at Stanford. As part of my work for GFC, lately I’ve been immersed in reviewing 2,733 bills introduced so far this year by legislators. Over the next seven months until the legislature adjourns, I will spend countless additional hours on strategies associated with those bills and others, and over the entire year I will spend countless more hours on management, policy and fundraising. I do that work without compensation and my wife and I provided the lion’s share of GFC’s start-up funding. I enjoy it — politics and policy has long been my principal hobby — but often can’t help but wonder if I’m on a fool’s errand. While I see friends enjoying interesting businesses (as I did until I left for Sacramento in 2003) and hobbies that produce results in short order, change in the state’s governance moves at a snail’s pace, if at all.
Hurrah, David! It's a noble cause you've taken up. I was in CA politics until 2011, when I was hired by the State of Idaho. At the time, lawmakers who served the public's interest (instead if the Party's) were rare (Dave Cogdill was one) and now they're rarer still. Oh, California. My heart hurts for you. But I appreciate what you are doing.
Hurrah, David! It's a noble cause you've taken up. I was in CA politics until 2011, when I was hired by the State of Idaho. At the time, lawmakers who served the public's interest (instead if the Party's) were rare (Dave Cogdill was one) and now they're rarer still. Oh, California. My heart hurts for you. But I appreciate what you are doing.