As Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his budget proposal for the coming fiscal year this week, California continues to confront a state of dire emergency.

The governor is expected to ask for billions of dollars in additional federal stimulus money. But even if his efforts prove successful, a big “if” considering the economic difficulties confronting the nation, the long term woes we face underscore the need for change.

While pundits opine that the legislature is unwilling or unable to pass a balanced budget because of gridlock, the fact is that California is not a majority rule state and the differences represent fundamentally different values.

Californians spoke loudly by electing Barack Obama with over 60 percent of the vote and by electing a strong majority of Democrats to both houses of state government. Yet because of the empowerment of the minority party with the two-thirds vote requirement, an inordinate exercise of power is vested in the minority party.

WE NEED TO RESOLVE TO ONCE AGAIN PRIORITIZE OUR COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC EDUCATION.

As a result, California’s government is currently dysfunctional. I reach this conclusion without impugning my colleagues: The fact that California is one of only three states that does not abide by the core principle of majority rule is to blame. To protect and advance California’s key interests will require fundamental constitutional reform.

Change will not happen overnight, but change will only happen if we take stock of the reasons for the state’s dysfunctional governance system and mobilize for reform.

Multiple reform measures will appear on the June and November 2010 ballots, including an initiative sponsored by California Forward which would amend the state’s constitution to allow a majority of the state legislature to pass a state budget. Ultimately, the principle of majority rule must also be restored to empower the legislature to pass a balanced budget based on the most appropriate mix of spending cuts, equitable revenue-generating mechanisms, and prudent borrowing. While the state is virtually crushed under the weight of the disproportionate influence of a minority party that is seemingly responsible to no one, we are faced with a continuing financial crisis of staggering magnitude. California faces a projected $21 billion deficit over the next 18 months, with little to no better news in sight, at least in the short term. Clearly, California’s budget prospects for 2010 do not bode well.

In December 2008, I was sworn into office in a more optimistic time. Since then, California fell prey to record high unemployment rates and budget deficits amounting to more than $60 billion over an 18-month period.

In this New Year, we need to resolve to once again prioritize our commitment to public education. Without a strong public education system, K-12 and higher education, California will fail to produce the next generation of successful entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers, educators, agriculturists, and a skilled and competent workforce.There is something fundamentally wrong if we pay more to incarcerate than to educate.

This week, the Assembly voted on legislation seeking to qualify California for up to $700 million in federal stimulus funding to support public education (K-12) as part of the “Race To The Top’’ program (see story, p. 13). At issue is whether teacher evaluations should be based on student performance on required standardized testing. Other issues include parental involvement and “open student enrollment,” which would allow students to enroll in any school within a given school district. The issues become complicated by the disparity between and within school districts. Outstanding debate centers around what percentage of federal funds should be directed to the “lowest performing schools” and how burdensome required reforms may be without a commensurate commitment of continued funding.

Despite the many challenges we continue to face, I take pride in some positive achievements during the 2009 session. I had eight bills signed into law including the enactment of a Sustainable Seafood Label law that will benefit California’s fishing community and our environment. Too often, environmental and business interests are pitted against each other, but I believe my background in principled negotiation and mediation practice has helped me to bring various constituent groups together in the pursuit of “win-win” solutions.

While my first year in the Assembly has been described as a “trial by fire,” I continue to be honored to be the state representative of our beautiful and dynamic district. In 2010, may we all find paths that instill hope, initiate positive change, and restore balance to our beleaguered economy and environment.

BILL MONNING represents the 27th Assembly District.