California: The Politics of Diversity

David G. Lawrence is professor emeritus of political science at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. As a teacher, scholar, and former public official, he has applied theory and practice to California politics. He served on a city council as mayor pro tem, chaired a regional planning agency, and is former president of the California Association of Councils of Governments (CALCOG). He currently serves on the Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee, a group that advises the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments on the expenditure of sales tax revenues earmarked for transportation (an estimated $1 billion over 30 years). He is also former president of the California Center for Education in Public Affairs, a consortium of colleges and universities dedicated to helping students better understand California politics through Sacramento seminars and post-election briefings.Jeff Cummins is associate professor of political science at California State University, Fresno. He previously worked for the Legislative Analyst's Office in Sacramento, where he advised the legislature on budgetary and policy issues. He teaches courses on state and local government, California politics, and Public Budgeting, among others. He is the author of Boom and Bust: The Politics of the California Budget, and his research has appeared in journals such as State Politics and Policy Quarterly, Social Science Quarterly, and American Politics Research. He is a frequent contributor to the news media and has been interviewed by the New York Times, National Public Radio (NPR), the Economist, National Journal, the Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee, and the Fresno Bee.