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KPBS Midday Edition

Is California's Initiative Process Working?

California's initiative process turns 100 today -- we look at the pros and cons.
GUESTGlenn Smith, Professor of Law, California Western School of LawThad Kousser, Political Science Associate Professor, UC San Diego

For more on this issue, watch Monday's show.

The initiative process in California was born 100 years ago. The idea of letting voters initiate and vote on major state issues developed out of a desire for direct democracy.

Through the years, voters have cast direct votes on hundreds of issues including property taxes, immigrant benefits and same-sex marriage. As our state marks the centennial of the initiative process we'll review the success and the problems with initiatives.