So, Proposition 30 passed. That’s good, right? But what keeps us from ending up with tens of billions in deficits next time?

Not much. In fact, a lot of people say that deficits and volatility are built-in to California’s system–with its two-thirds vote requirements for taxes, ballot box budgeting, and outmoded tax system.

What can we do about it?  Does the Democrats’ new super-majority open up possibilities for reform?

Beats me. But that’s why we invited folks from the CSUS Hornet Politics and Policy chapter in to talk budget reform. Josh Rosa, Maya Wallace and Devin Lavelle are alums, and policy wonks, and friends of the podcast. (Devin has contributed some great posts on this blog, for example.) They’re also helping to put on an event next month, called What’s Possible: New Ideas About our Fiscal Path Forward.

The event is co-sponsored by California Forward, and will be moderated by political podcast hero John Myers, now political editor over at Channel 10 KXTV.

Guests include West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, and Scott Pattison, executive director at the National Association of State Budget Officers.  Also, Josh Lerner, who is director of the New York-based Participatory Budgeting Project, and who I wrote a little bit about in my column last week.

In other words, it’s going to be a wonk fest–but good if you’re into that sort of thing. Sort of like this podcast.