Last night, after two days of the House’s version of a filibuster by the Republicans, we voted to temporarily suspend Initiative 960, the 2007 Tim Eyman ballot measure requiring a 2/3 majority vote in the Legislature to raise taxes. This same provision has made California virtually ungovernable.

I supported the move not because anyone likes taxes, of course, but because it’s time for a more thoughtful approach to the economic crisis in which we find ourselves. Last year we patched the projected $9 billion deficit with cuts and federal stimulus dollars. This year, facing another $2.8 billion projected deficit, we need to balance our strategy with a measured combination of government reform efforts, spending reductions and increased revenues.

The 36th District voted against I-960 by a 70% majority. We also supported I-728, I-732, I-937 and other initiatives to increase spending on education and the environment by similar majorities. Those initiatives have all been adjusted by the Legislature or seen an attempt to do so.

The initiative process is treasured and it is part of the rough and tumble of governing that the Legislature must always respect. We derive our power only from the people.

And yet, I have come to believe there is a careful balance between the three C’s of governing: Conscience, constituents and caucus. For me that means each vote in the Legislature and each issue requires me to think not just what 50% plus one person in the 36th District might feel about a given issue but the direction of my own conscience and the larger public policy interests of my caucus.

The truth is that those legislators who are not in favor of a given initiative seem to vote more freely to suspend or adjust it. Those who support it are passionate defenders of the ‘will of the people’ when standing by the policy they support. This is, of course, natural in a sense, and our larger public obligation is to do the best we can to adjust to changing times. It is easy to be philosophically pure when you do not have the burden of governing.

Your partner in service,

Reuven.