Political Reform

Having the courage to fight for policies that best support this system was a trademark of the Schwarzenegger administration and will continue at the Schwarzenegger Institute. Redistricting, open primaries, campaign finance, the role of media and the role of special interest all impact our political system and must be part of this important discussion.

Recent Institute Activity

Drawing the Future: The High-Stakes Battle Over Gerrymandering in Texas and Across the Nation

Drawing the Future: The High-Stakes Battle Over Gerrymandering in Texas and Across the Nation BIOS (in alphabetical order): David Daley Journalist, Author, and Senior Fellow at FairVote and t
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Former U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona Joins USC Schwarzenegger Institute Board of Advisors

The USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy is proud to announce that former United States Secretary of Education Miguel A. Cardona, Ed.D., has joined its Board of Advisors. With deca
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Arnold Schwarzenegger Donates $1 Million to Los Angeles Wildfire Relief Efforts

In response to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, Arnold Schwarzenegger has pledged $1 million to support relief efforts across Los Angeles County. His donation will be distributed among three
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Schwarzenegger Institute Launches Whisky that Gives Back

Inspired by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s recent $1 million donation to wildfire relief efforts, the USC Schwarzenegger Institute is expanding its own efforts to support those affected by the Eat
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Schwarzenegger Institute Welcomes New USC Price Dean

The Schwarzenegger Institute officially welcomed Christopher Boone as the new dean of the USC Price School of Public Policy during his installation ceremony on February 10th. Boone, an esteemed expert
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Fran Pavley Joins Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery

Following the 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires, Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath has convened an independent commission aimed at guiding the region’s recovery and rebuilding efforts. The commission, c
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Christian Grose Named 2024 Communicator of the Year

In a recent luncheon hosted by Moh El-Naggar, interim dean of the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, seven exceptional scholars were awarded the 2024 Communicator of the Year Award. T
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Adam Rose Publishes New Offshore Wind Article

Schwarzenegger Institute Faculty Fellow Adam Rose has published a new article, "Benefits and Challenges of California Offshore Wind Electricity: An Updated Assessment," in Energies, shedding light on
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Steven Olikara Joins the Schwarzenegger Institute

The USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy is thrilled to welcome Steven Olikara as our new Senior Fellow for Political Transformation. A nationally recognized leader in post-partisa
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Arnold Schwarzenegger Hands Out Turkeys At Thanksgiving Giveaway

Arnold Schwarzenegger continued his longstanding Thanksgiving tradition at the Hollenbeck Youth Center earlier this week. He once again teamed up with Danny and Priscilla Hernandez to distribute turke
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Drawing the Future: The High-Stakes Battle Over Gerrymandering in Texas and Across the Nation

Drawing the Future: The High-Stakes Battle Over Gerrymandering in Texas and Across the Nation BIOS (in alphabetical order): David Daley Journalist, Author, and Senior Fellow at FairVote and the USC Schwarzenegger Institute David Daley is an award-winning journalist, the bestselling author of RATF**KED: Why Your Vote Doesn’t Count and UNRIGGED: How Americans Are Battling Back… View Article

Christian Grose Named 2024 Communicator of the Year

In a recent luncheon hosted by Moh El-Naggar, interim dean of the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, seven exceptional scholars were awarded the 2024 Communicator of the Year Award. This prestigious recognition honors individuals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions as “public scholars” by making their expertise accessible and impactful for society. Among… View Article

Steven Olikara Joins the Schwarzenegger Institute

The USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy is thrilled to welcome Steven Olikara as our new Senior Fellow for Political Transformation. A nationally recognized leader in post-partisan politics, Olikara will bring his expertise in bridge-building and democratic reform to the Institute, helping to inspire the next generation of policymakers at USC. “Our country… View Article

Christian Grose Discusses Ranked Choice Voting

On November 20, 2024, Caltech’s Election Integrity Project hosted a webinar titled “What Are the Prospects for Ranked Choice Voting?” featuring USC Schwarzenegger Institute Academic Director Christian Grose and Andrew Sinclair from Claremont McKenna College. Moderated by Caltech’s R. Michael Alvarez, the discussion explored the challenges and future of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in the… View Article

Schwarzenegger Institute and Caltech Host Election Roundtable

On October 4th, the Schwarzenegger Institute partnered with the California Institute of Technology to host an “Election Roundtable” event at Caltech in Pasadena. The focus of the event was on ballot reform initiatives to change primaries and redistricting across the country; and on challenges and threats facing election administrators in the 2024 election due to… View Article

Schwarzenegger Institute Partners with Outside the Box [Office] and SEEFest To Screen Libertate (Freedom)

On October 8th, the Schwarzenegger Institute once again partnered with Outside the Box [Office] and SEEFest to host a special theatrical screening of Libertate (Freedom). The film is set during the chaotic days of the December 1989 revolution that toppled Romania’s Communist regime. In the city of Sibiu, a violent assault on a police unit… View Article

Christian Grose Discusses Upcoming Election

On September 25th, the USC Schwarzenegger Institute partnered with the USC Price School of Public Policy and USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences for a special webinar titled A House Up for Grabs. The webinar featured experts from multiple universities including USC Schwarzenegger Institute academic director Christian Grose, Assistant Professor at California State… View Article

Christian Grose Launches New Research in Partnership with Arizona Secretary of State

Academic Director Christian Grose, the Bipartisan Policy Center, and the office of Arizona’s Secretary of State are collaborating on a research project to evaluate the new Election Fellows Program in Arizona. This novel program launched in 2024 by the Arizona Secretary of State recruits college students and young people to become Election Fellows and serve… View Article

USC Schwarzenegger Institute Hosts Election Science, Research, and Administration Conference

On May 16th and May 17th, the Schwarzenegger Institute, along with the Election Trust Initiative, States United Democracy Center, Democracy Fund, Data Viewpoint LLC, USC Center for Inclusive Democracy, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, USC Libraries, USC Price School of Public Policy, and the USC Department of Political Science and International Relations,… View Article

Schwarzenegger Pumps Up Redistricting Reform in Ohio

While in Ohio for the Arnold Classic Sports Festival, Governor Schwarzenegger stopped by a political reform event to encourage activists and voters to continue to fight for redistricting reform in Ohio. The organization hosting the event, Citizens Not Politicians, is currently leading a campaign in Ohio to get the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission Amendment, also… View Article

2024 Election Science, Reform, and Administration (ESRA) Call for Proposals

2024 ESRA Call for Proposals The Election Science, Reform, and Administration (ESRA) invites participation from scholars and election administrators/officials to participate as panelists in the 2024 ESRA conference in Los Angeles, California. This call for proposals has been extended through February 23, 2024 at 5pm Pacific Time. Find more information and submit your proposal below:… View Article

USC Schwarzenegger Institute – USC Price California Issues Poll Fall 2022 General Election Poll

USC Schwarzenegger Institute California Issues Poll The USC Schwarzenegger Institute-USC Price California Issues Poll is a representative survey of registered voters who live in the state of California. It is a snapshot of California voters’ attitudes on the dates in which it was conducted. The poll is conducted by Dr. Christian Grose, Raquel Centeno, and… View Article

Schwarzenegger Receives “Take Action Not Sides” Brady Center Action Award

On April 29th, the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence hosted their annual awards gala and presented Governor Schwarzenegger with the “Take Actions Not Sides” Award. During the awards ceremony, Senator Alex Padilla presented the award to Governor Schwarzenegger and noted some of the ways the Governor has helped with gun violence prevention over the… View Article

Governor Schwarzenegger is Awarded Jack Brooks Leadership Award

Last week, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Judge Lina Hidalgo were awarded the first annual Jack Brooks Leadership Awards for their efforts to make it easier for Americans to cast ballots during the 2020 election cycle. The Leadership Award was named in honor of Congressman Jack Brooks, whose career in Congress left a legacy of crafting… View Article

In Memory of Secretary George P. Shultz

Yesterday we learned that one of the 20th Century’s greatest public servants, the inestimable Secretary George P. Shultz, passed away at age 100. Over the course of his career he held four cabinet positions, including Secretary of State under President Reagan, where he helped lay the foundation for a peaceful end to the Cold War. Secretary… View Article

The Democracy Action Hero Awards Ceremony with Arnold Schwarzenegger

On Tuesday, December 22nd, Hollywood action star and former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, presented Democracy Action Hero Awards to public officials who showed true leadership, bravery and a commitment to American democracy in the 2020 general election. The online award ceremony honored five individuals who stood up to attacks and intimidation while working diligently to ensure… View Article

USC Schwarzenegger Institute California Issues Poll

USC Schwarzenegger Institute California Issues Poll The USC Schwarzenegger Institute California Issues Poll is a representative survey of California registered voters and was fielded from 10/27/2020 to 10/31/2020. Questions and Media Inquiries: Please contact Dr. Christian Grose at [email protected]. Key Summary of USC Schwarzenegger Institute California Issues Poll The USC Schwarzenegger Institute completed its second… View Article

A New Form of Gerrymandering using CVAP?

A New Form of Gerrymandering using CVAP? Amendment 3 Has the Greatest Negative Impact on Missouri’s Communities with Children Matthew Mendez Garcia Faculty Fellow, USC Schwarzenegger Institute Assistant Professor of Political Science, California State University, Long Beach Christian R. Grose Academic Director, USC Schwarzenegger Institute Associate Professor of Political Science & Public Policy, University of Southern California Executive… View Article

Schwarzenegger Institute Announces Democracy Grants for Voting Access & Election Administration

On Wednesday, September 23rd, the Schwarzenegger Institute launched the Democracy Grants for Voting Access & Election Administration. See below for the note from our Chairman Arnold Schwarzenegger announcing the launch. Dear elections officials and good government organizations, The United States gave me everything I have, and I believe it is my duty to repay the kindness of… View Article

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission: Fair Maps, Voting Rights, and Diversity

The Schwarzenegger Institute is excited to announce the release of its newest policy report that closely examines the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. The first California Citizens Redistricting Commission drew the lines from 2012 to 2020. The second California Citizens Commission is nearing the end of its process of being selected. Eight commissioners were randomly chosen… View Article

Reducing Legislative Polarization

Reducing Legislative Polarization: Top-Two and Open Primaries Are Associated with More Moderate Legislators Christian R. Grose ABSTRACT: Partisan polarization in Congress is at its highest levels in more than 100 years. Political reformers advocate for changes to electoral institutions in order to reduce legislative ideological extremity, yet political scientists have been surprisingly skeptical that changes… View Article

Top Political Reform Experts Guest Lecture at the Schwarzenegger Institute

This October, the USC Schwarzenegger Institute has been a bipartisan host to several of the nation’s leading experts on election and political reforms. Thanks to a new class launched this fall and sponsored by the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, USC students are learning how to take action to fix American democracy and reform our political system. … View Article

Watch Schwarzenegger’s Atlantic Festival Interview on Gerrymandering

In late September Governor Schwarzenegger brought his campaign to terminate gerrymandering to the Atlantic Festival in Washington DC. During a fun and wide ranging interview with Jeffery Goldberg, editor of the Atlantic magazine, Schwarzenegger explained how gerrymandering “is the evil of all evils” and how it is a major impediment to bi-partisanship in Congress. “[Gerrymandering]… View Article

Schwarzenegger Tackles Clean Air and Minority Rule in the Washington Post

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had back to back opinion pieces published in the Washington Post earlier this month. On September 8th the Post published “Trump can’t erase a decade of clean air progress with a Sharpie,” a strongly worded opinion piece questioning the Trump Administration’s attempt to revoke California’s clean air waiver. The following day the… View Article

Professor Schwarzenegger Returns to Campus to Lecture on Gerrymandering and Political Reform

Earlier this month, Professor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke to a packed classroom of students taking the Schwarzenegger Institute’s ‘Fixing American Democracy and Misrepresentation’ class. Professor Schwarzenegger started his lecture by sharing the story of working with legislators in Sacramento soon after being elected governor during the 2003 recall election. He explained that Democrats and Republicans in… View Article

Father and Daughter Filmmakers Bring Gerrymandering Documentary to the Schwarzenegger Institute

Father and daughter filmmakers Bob and Rachel Millman visited the Schwarzenegger Institute on September 13th to screen their new documentary Line in the Street and to participate in a conversation on gerrymandering and civil engagement. The Millmans joined Common Cause National Redistricting Coordinator Dan Vicuna and Schwarzenegger Institute Academic Director Christian Grose in a pre-screening… View Article

Statement on the U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Rucho v. Common Cause and Lamone v. Benisek

Global Director of the Schwarzenegger Institute Conyers Davis released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in Rucho v. Common Cause and Lamone v. Benisek: "Gerrymandering hurts American Democracy at its most fundamental level. It makes our elections unfair. Redistricting reform measures can alleviate the stain, provide for fairer elections and a… View Article

Schwarzenegger & Holder Support Redistricting Reform in the Granite State

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Attorney General Eric Holder continue to prove that redistricting reform does not need to be a partisan issue. In an editorial in the Concord Monitor supporting the Granite State’s efforts to create an independent redistricting commission the two leaders explain how the fight against gerrymandering transcends ideology and party affiliation… View Article

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Took his Mission to Terminate Gerrymandering to DC

On Tuesday, March 26 the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in two cases, Rucho v. Common Cause and Lamone v. Benishek. Before and after the oral arguments, Governor Schwarzenegger took part in press events on the steps of the iconic building. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, California Common Cause senior leaders Karen… View Article

Gov. Schwarzenegger and Senator Fran Pavley Discuss Putting a Price on Pollution

The USC Schwarzenegger Institute and the USC Center for Sustainability Solutions co-hosted with the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator the leadership council discussion on federal carbon pricing policy on Feb. 22 at the La Kretz Innovation Campus in downtown Los Angeles. Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gave opening remarks before former California State Sen. Fran Pavley of the Schwarzenegger Institute… View Article

California’s Top-two Primary: A Successful Reform

“California’s Top-two Primary: A Successful Reform” by Charles Munger, Jr. – a USC Schwarzenegger Institute white paper Charles T. Munger, Jr assesses the changes wrought by the advent in 2012 of the top-two primary in three concurrent papers listed below. The author is the president of Californians to Defend the Open Primary, which has intervened to defend… View Article

Gov. Schwarzenegger Hosts Terminate Gerrymandering Summit and Fair Maps Incubator Launch

Stating that redistricting reform has reached the mainstream, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy convened the Terminate Gerrymandering Summit on Jan. 10 at the University of Southern California. The summit brought together campaigners, academics and redistricting commissioners to celebrate the victories of the 2018 midterm elections… View Article

Inaugural Bonnie Reiss Memorial Lecture Looks at Bridging the Political Divide

Soon after completing his service as governor of California in 2011, Arnold Schwarzenegger established the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy. He immediately turned to Bonnie Reiss, his longtime senior advisor, to be the catalyst for the institute. “I said I’d only do it if she became the global director,” said Schwarzenegger on… View Article

Schwarzenegger Institute Academic Director Christian Grose Analyzes Redistricting Reform Initiatives

USC Schwarzenegger Institute Academic Director and Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, Christian Grose, wrote a rapid assessment of the redistricting reform initiatives before voters in the recent midterm elections. Of the many topics on the ballot this midterm season, redistricting reform is one that will not only have a big impact on the… View Article

Schwarzenegger Institute Hosts Conversation with Charles Clarke

On October 2nd, the Schwarzenegger Institute hosted former British Home Secretary and Member of Parliament Charles Clarke, USC Price School Dean Jack Knott, and senior members of the Consular Corps in Santa Monica. Recognizing Charles Clarke's impressive career at the senior most levels of British politics and government, Dean Knott appointed Clarke a Visiting Distinguished Fellow at the… View Article

Schwarzenegger Takes Break from Filming to Terminate Gerrymandering

Governor Schwarzenegger took a break from filming Terminator 6 to support comprehensive redistricting reform and advocate for Citizens Redistricting Commissions. Speaking from Budapest, Hungary, Governor Schwarzenegger encouraged voters in Missouri, Michigan, Colorado and Utah to take advantage of the initiative process to terminate gerrymandering in their respective states. “I am incredibly excited by the citizen-powered… View Article

Schwarzenegger and Kasich Toast Ohio’s Effort to Pass Redistricting Reform

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ohio Governor John Kasich joined legislative leaders to celebrate the passage of a bipartisan proposal to change how Ohio draws congressional district lines. Thanks to the legislative compromise Ohioans get to vote on Issue 1 on the May 8th Ballot. If passed Issue 1 would require more minority party participation… View Article

Governor Schwarzenegger Files Amicus Brief in Maryland Redistricting Case

Governor Schwarzenegger continued his crusade to end gerrymandering by filing an Amicus Brief with the the Supreme Court challenging partisan redistricting in the State of Maryland. Schwarzenegger joined fellow governors John Kaisch (OH), Gray Davis (CA) and Larry Hogan (MD) in signing the brief, organized by Common Cause, in Benisk v. Lamone, a First Amendment… View Article

Open Primary Research Roundtable

Governor Schwarzenegger founded the USC Schwarzenegger Institute with the mission of advancing post-partisanship and encouraging leaders to put people over political parties to work together to find the best ideas and solutions to benefit the people they serve. To achieve this goal the Institute regularly works with leading politicians, academics and policy practitioners to study… View Article

Partnership with Oberlin College on the Future of Our Democracy Kicks Off in Ohio

Schwarzenegger Institute team members Conyers Davis and Mebus Behrle took part in the State of American Democracy Conference at Oberlin College in November. The conference was the first in a series of conversational events that the Schwarzenegger Institute is co-organizing with Oberlin College and The Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado. Each event has been designed to examine the… View Article

Schwarzenegger Calls on the Supreme Court to Say “Hasta La Vista” to Gerrymandering

Speaking on the steps of the Supreme Court last week Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger continued his campaign to end the partisan drawing of legislative and congressional districts by calling on the nation’s highest court to terminate gerrymandering once and for all. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the lead plaintiffs in the Gill vs. Whitford case, and… View Article

Institute Partners with ASU and Independentvoting.org to Release Report on Independent Voters

Politics, elections and governance in the United States are largely viewed through the lens of a two-party power structure of Republicans and Democrats. However, a distinct but ill-defined group of voters is quietly becoming a force that no longer can be ignored. Independent voters are increasingly determining winners and losers in election contests throughout the… View Article

Global Director Bonnie Reiss Honored by the Independence Clubs of New York

Bonnie Reiss, Global Director of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, was honored by the Independence Clubs of New York City at the 17th Annual Anti-Corruption Awards Ceremony for her lifelong leadership in advancing a nonpartisan political reform agenda in California and the country as well as for her outstanding environmental and afterschool advocacy work. Reiss was… View Article

Governor Schwarzenegger Urges the U.S. Supreme Court to End Gerrymandering

On October 3rd the United States Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in landmark redistricting reform case Gill v. Whitford. The Court's decision in this case has the potential to decide, whether the Constitution imposes a limit on state legislators’ ability to engage in objectively measured, hyper-partisan gerrymandering. This case will also allow the Court… View Article

California’s End to Gerrymandering Celebrated in Our Nation’s Capitol

While Californians were ahead of their time in passing significant political reforms, including creating an independent redistricting commission to end gerrymandering, there are many states attempting to follow our example and a lot of attention currently on the harm and unfairness created by this issue. Acknowledging the leadership of California, Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government honored… View Article

The Legal Effort to End Partisan Gerrymandering Heats Up

The United States has 26 states with voter initiatives and 24 that do not offer this form of direct democracy. The Institute is working with a coalition of good government groups on ending partisan gerrymandering through both ballot initiatives and the legal process. There are a handful of states queuing up to go the U.S. Supreme Court on this… View Article

USC Price, Annenberg Conversation Explores “America Divided”, Moderated by Bonnie Reiss

Understanding the power of media to communicate important public policy issues, the Price School of Public Policy and the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism partnered with one another to screen the five-episode EPIX docuseries America Divided. Following the screening the two schools hosted a discussion where students and faculty where able to ask the… View Article

Fed Up With Gerrymandering: Action on Redistricting

CLICK HERE TO STAY ENGAGED ON OUR ACTION WITH REDISTRICTING

Schwarzenegger and David Cameron Reunite at USC

On February 2nd David Cameron, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, spoke to the USC community at President Nikias’ Distinguished Lecture Series and following the event met with former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Governor Schwarzenegger has long valued the strong relationship that exists between California and Britain. During his two terms in office he worked… View Article

Institute Hosts David Daley, Author of Ratf**ked

David Daley, best-selling author and the former editor-in-chief of Salon, joined Governor Schwarzenegger, the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, Common Cause and the League of Women Voters on January 31st to talk about his new book Ratf**ked: The True Story Behind the Secret Plan to Steal America's Democracy. The informative discussion took place in the USC’s Doheny… View Article

Institute Examines California’s Historic U.S. Senate Race and the Impact of the Top-Two Primaries

The anger, hate and divisiveness of the past year’s Presidential election reflect the growing frustration over the past decade of political gridlock and partisan division in Congress. Voters went to the polls with the desire to shake up politics and elected a government they hope works for them. Similar sentiments were felt in 2003 when California voters… View Article

Institute Partners with ASU; Looks at Political Reform and Empowering the Independent Voter

The USC Schwarzenegger Institute is proud to partner with the Morrison Institute of Public Policy at Arizona State University on issues around political reform policies that make our system more accountable to the voters. On November 16, 2016, the Morrison Institute hosted the State of Our State: Public Policy Choices for Arizona in Phoenix, Arizona. … View Article

Conyers Davis Keynotes USC’s Town and Gown Pre-Election Luncheon

USC’s Town and Gown is the oldest women's non-profit organization at USC. Founded in 1904 as the Women’s Club of the University of Southern California, they are a philanthropic organization whose purpose is to support USC through scholarships for students, building and campus enhancements and cultural programs. The women of Town and Gown showed great… View Article

Collaboration with Arizona State University on Climate, Energy and Political Reform

Michael Crow, the visionary President of Arizona State University (ASU), invited a team from the USC Schwarzenegger Institute to visit Tempe to explore collaborations on policy areas of mutual interest, including climate change, energy, political reform and on-line education. The Schwarzenegger Institute team included Global Director Bonnie Reiss, Senior Advisor Kevin Starr and Institute Research Fellow Christian Grose. … View Article

Schwarzenegger Institute Participated in the Clinton Global Institute Annual Meeting

USC Schwarzenegger Institute Global Director Bonnie Reiss participated in the 12th and final Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting in New York this past September. This year’s meeting brought leaders in government, business, academia, NGOs, art and entertainment from around the world to “turn ideas into action”. The CGI organizers built an interesting program that… View Article

USC Schwarzenegger Institute Releases Two Research Reports on Political Polarization

USC Schwarzenegger Institute Releases Two Research Reports on Political Polarization On March 30th the USC Schwarzenegger Institute released two research reports showing that political reforms like those passed by voters in California in 2008 and 2010 can reduce political polarization in legislative bodies and prompt candidates to more actively engage voters across party lines. In… View Article

Election Day Forum at USC

Global Director Bonnie Reiss was the keynote speaker for the Town and Gown “Election Day Special” luncheon on November 4th. Town and Gown is the oldest women’s organization at USC, established 106 years ago, to support the University of Southern California through student scholarships, building and campus enhancements and cultural programs. With much at stake… View Article

UC Berkeley Event – California’s Top Two Primary: Will It Make a Difference?

Christian Grose of the University of Southern California presented findings on the role of California’s top-two primary in moderation by state legislators at the event “California’s Top Two Primary: Will It Make a Difference?” The event was hosted by the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley on Friday, April 25, 2014,… View Article

Schwarzenegger Institute Convenes Symposium on Political Gridlock

By Nathaniel Haas When asked what young people can do to fix their government in the face of crippling gridlock, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urged the crowd to look no further than the work of USC’s own students. “I remember at USC in one of Nancy Staudt’s classes, the kids literally fought the City of Los… View Article

New Study Shows California Legislature Less Polarized Following Reforms

Governor Schwarzenegger fought for political reforms that took the power away from the politicians and returned it to the people. When voters passed two reforms; Open Primary; and Redistricting, the hope was that this would put an end to gerrymandering, and lead to more competition and less political gridlock. A core principle of the Institute… View Article

WATCH: Panel Discussion at Government and Leadership–People Over Politics Symposium

The Political Reform Movement in America Moderated by Schwarzenegger Institute Global Director Bonnie Reiss Panelists: Kathay Feng, Executive Director of California Common Cause John Fortier, Director of the Bipartisan Policy Center's Democracy Project Jackie Salit, President of IndependentVoting.org Dorothy Siemon, Vice President of AARP's Office of Policy Integration

The Institute hosts Chris Matthews Discussion about D.C. Politics

On Friday October 15, 2013, the USC Schwarzenegger Institute hosted an incredible conversation between Governor and USC Downey Professor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the well-known political commentator and host of MSNBC’s Hardball, Chris Matthews. The widely-admired USC Professor Kevin Starr moderated the event with a series of questions and comments that grew out of Mr. Mathews new… View Article

Policy in Action: Schwarzenegger Institute in the Capitol

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Global Director Bonnie Reiss, and USC Price School of Public Policy Dean Jack Knott turned policy into action. On October 30th the USC Schwarzenegger Institute held a series of meetings in Washington D.C. with our nation's leaders to advocate continued support of comprehensive after-school programs. Several Members of Congress sought to divert… View Article

Students Talk Back – Author of Days of Fire on Bush and Cheney

On Wednesday November 6th the Schwarzenegger Institute, in partnership with the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics, co-hosted the 10th and final Students Talk Back lunch panel discussion of the semester. The event was an incredible success with a large number of students attending the event. Peter Baker, White House Correspondent, The New York Times and Author, Days of… View Article

California Takes the Partisanship out of Politics

By Nathaniel Haas A lot can change in ten years. This time a decade ago, California had just emerged from a recall election less than a year into then-Governor Grey Davis’ second term. The budget process was mired in controversy, and the deficit was ballooning. Now, California has delivered on a slew of policy… View Article

Students Talk Back – California Legislators address Partisanship

On Wednesday September 11th the Schwarzenegger Institute, in partnership with the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics, co-hosted the first Students Talk Back lunch of the semester. The “Students Talk Back” lunch speaker series furthers our Institutes commitment to student engagement, bringing relevant policy issues and thought leaders to campus to engage in meaningful dialogue with our USC… View Article

President Vicente Fox Urges the U.S. to Embrace Immigration Reform

By Vicente Fox Throughout 2001, President George W. Bush and I spent time negotiating an important bilateral agreement on immigration policies and programs. We optimistically pieced together an innovative framework, and were close to reaching our goals, when the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 derailed our plans. Now, in 2013, and in remarkably similar circumstances,… View Article

Institute Hosts US Senators on Immigration Reform Bill

After hosting a bipartisan forum on climate change earlier this month, the USC Schwarzenegger Institute turned to the importance of immigration reform Tuesday morning and partnered with the USC Price School to produce a forum on the historic opportunity to pass comprehensive immigration legislation. Held at Town and Gown on the campus of the University… View Article

Washington Comes to USC: Immigration Reform Forum

U.S. Senators, President Vicente Fox, Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Gov Schwarzenegger, Ann Compton – ABC News, and others gather at USC to discuss Immigration Reform Governor Schwarzenegger will host an immigration reform forum to support the historic opportunity to pass a bi-partisan immirgraion reform bill in the U.S. Congress this year. The event will take place at the Schwarzenegger… View Article

Luncheon with Senator Evan Bayh

On October 19, 2012, Former Indiana Senator Evan Bayh joined the Schwarzenegger Institute for a luncheon at the Widney Alumni House. Senator Bayh discussed a variety of issues, but focused his message on working across the aisle and removing partisan gridlock to help pass meaningful and effective legislation. Let’s Do Lunch By Aaron Taxy, President… View Article

Schwarzenegger Institute Inaugural Symposium

Highlights from Political Leaders on Post-Partisanship Highlights from Local Solutions to Global Challenges — Environment, Energy, Climate ? Highlights from Hollywood Leaders on Innovation and the Power of Media Panel Discussion Highlights Political Leaders on Post-Partisanship Local Solutions to Global Challenges — Environment, Energy, Climate Hollywood Leaders… View Article