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'Summit' on state government reform efforts

The Web site for the California Secretary of State lists 51 initiatives that have been cleared for circulation and signature gathering. They include a call for a constitutional convention and another that would prevent the state from appropriating local government revenues.

To examine the potential impacts that such initiatives could have in San Mateo County, Supervisor Rich Gordon has invited officials from the county's cities, towns and school districts to a day-long "summit" on Saturday, Jan. 9, at Canada College in Woodside. The meeting is not open to the public.

Mr. Gordon chairs the City, County Schools Partnership, a joint effort by statewide organizations formed in 1997 to represent the local interests of California's cities, counties and school boards.

This group met in July in Sacramento and agreed on a set of principles, including protecting local government revenues and revisiting term limits in the Legislature, Mr. Gordon said in an interview.

The day's events will include presentations on selected ballot initiatives and on the work of a committee, composed of members of the state Assembly and Senate, looking at ways of "improving state government."