State constitutional convention movement near collapse

February 10, 2010

The populist movement to rewrite the state’s constitution by allowing voters to directly call for a convention is on the verge of collapsing. [Ventura County Star]

Supporters claim they’re running short of money and face serious opposition from paid signature gatherers who see the convention as a threat to the state’s lucrative ballot-initiative industry.

In an email sent out Wednesday, John Grubb, of the reform group Repair California, wrote, “Without more funding, the campaign will need to end, and with it, the possibility of a convention.”

So far, organizers have raised only $522,000, far less than the $1 million that political observers believe is needed to get the measure on the state ballot.

“I think this thing’s dead,” said Joe Matthews, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation.