Karl Manheim
Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:29:31 -0800
*Call for Papers**Symposium on a California Constitutional Convention / Constitutional Reform*
*Loyola Law School* *September 24, 2010*Loyola Law School Los Angeles and the /Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review/ are pleased to announce a Symposium on a California Constitutional Convention / Constitutional Reform. The on-campus symposium is scheduled for Friday, September 24, 2010. Articles and essays will be published in the Winter 2011 issue of the /Law Review/. The symposium is co-sponsored by the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at the University of Southern California, the Center for Governmental Studies, and the Civil Justice Program at Loyola among others.
We are soliciting proposals for articles on topics related to the calling of a constitutional convention, structural reform of California government, and substantive state constitutional law issues such as fiscal constraints, term limits, or the initiative process itself.
An increasing chorus of voices is calling for a constitutional convention in California as a remedy for what many perceive as dysfunctional state governance and never-ending budget crises. Two sets of initiatives are currently in circulation for the November, 2010 ballot that would call a convention. Proponents of a constitutional convention believe that existing structural infirmities are too numerous and serious to correct through existing legislative and initiative processes, and that only a new constitution can get California back on the right track. Many groups, newspapers and political leaders (including Governor Schwarzenegger) have endorsed the idea of a constitutional convention. It would be the state's third, and the first in 130 years. Many other initiatives have been filed that would restructure the state constitution in more limited fashion.
A possible constitutional convention poses both opportunity and concern, not just for California, but also for other states that closely watch our progress. Just as delegates to the 1849 convention borrowed from other state constitutions, a new constitution for California could serve as a model for reformulated governments elsewhere. Or it could be a dismal failure. It could erode rights, threaten public programs, or obstruct government functions.
Several scholars and public officials have already agreed to participate in the symposium. We seek a few more from this listserv to round out our panels. The issues are numerous. This is an important opportunity to contribute to this vital public debate. More information on the symposium, including a list of confirmed panelists, can be found on our website: http://calconst.org <http://calconst.org/>
Details:Questions and proposals should be sent to karl.manh...@lls.edu <mailto:karl.manh...@lls.edu>
Drafts are due Sept. 1, 2010 and final manuscripts by October 11, 2010 Loyola will pay all reasonable travel expenses of presenters
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