Notice: Undefined index: file in /srv/www/blog.flashreport.org/releases/20130218155602/wp-includes/media.php on line 1676
[Publisher’s Note: As part of an ongoing effort to bring original, thoughtful commentary to you here at the FlashReport, we are pleased to present this column from Asm. Shannon Grove.]
If you are new to the FlashReport, please check out the main site and the acclaimed FlashReport Weblog on California politics.
Asm. Shannon Grove
We recently introduced a package of bills that would modernize the legislative calendar, bring stability to the state budgeting process and increase transparency. These measures would make government more responsive and help restore the public’s trust in its government. We urge the stodgy Democrat majority to seriously consider these reforms – and the public to text and tweet their legislators in support.
Leading by example, last week we restructured our own internal operations. The changes we made will implement modern business practices, enhance employee collaboration, and better harness the power of technology.
Republican legislative offices will operate less like our opponents’ sixties union hall and more like the modern open and fast-paced workplace of, say, Google or Salesforce.
Our restructuring was necessitated by the same forces that drive all businesses and organizations – the need to remain competitive and reach a growing market.
Our structure had been in place for over twenty years; it was designed when people read the newspaper once a day,pay phones were on every street corner and the Internetwas something used by trapeze artists..
Times have changed. Today we live in a fast paced,24/7/365, 140-character world.
People don’t follow the news – the news follows them. We get breaking news from Twitter and sharing takes place in cyberspace on platforms like Facebook rather than around the water cooler.
Modernizing our operations will allow us to better articulate the concerns of the Californians we represent and take our optimistic message of limited government, free markets, lower taxes, individual freedom, more jobs and better schools to the entire state.
While we are modernizing our operations, by no means are we changing who we are as Republicans.
The people who sent me to Sacramento – Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike – expect my colleagues and I to stand firm on our principles.
Democrats are growing government, debt and stagnation in the economy and education. We Republicans want to grow jobs, opportunity, parental choice in schools and hope for a better future for all.
A major focus of our efforts will be taking our message to communities across California, especially those where young working families have not always heard the liberating voice of free markets, free choices and opportunity.
They haven’t heard how lower tax burdens and smaller government means more room for bigger paychecks and more take-home pay.
We will use the media and the power of instant communications to let the people know what’s going on in Sacramento and what California would look like if we were in charge.