11 Winning Proposals in “There Oughta Be a Law” Contest Have Become California Law

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Joe Simitian
California State Senator

The local elections throughout our region last week were proof positive to anyone who needed it that folks in our area can and will engage in the political process - and in substantial numbers. The more interesting question is whether or not the public has the will and the ability to engage in the day-to-day work of governance.

As I kick off my seventh annual "There Oughta Be A Law" contest, I can tell you without a doubt that the answer is "yes."

Six years ago when I invited my constituents, by way of a contest, to submit their ideas for state legislation, I was cautiously optimistic. My experience in local government taught me that the folks I represent are active and engaged - and care deeply about the quality of life in their community.

But what I quickly discovered was that a lot of folks were truly hungry for a chance to make a difference. And it’s made me that much more determined to open up the process for public participation.

I never imagined in that first year that close to 100 local folks would take the time to craft and submit thoughtful proposals for changes in state law; or that so many of those proposals would be real contenders.

I had hoped to find at least one promising entry to be introduced in the Legislature. In fact, three were so good I chose all of them. And there were a great many more that might well have been chosen were it not for questions of cost, or the need to consider political realities.

What was clear from the start was that this invitation to participate in the process struck a chord with people. People who thought state government was something that took place far away.

People who thought that only the insiders had a role to play. Or that state government was something done for them (or worse yet, done to them), rather than something done by them.

Close to 100 local residents overcame their initial skepticism, and submitted their entries. And when the first three winners were announced, it became clear that one person really could make a difference.