• The quality of life for all Californians is the best in the world. Throughout our regions, communities are well planned, to provide:

1) affordable homes, and livable, viable neighborhoods;
2) optimal mobility, by walking, driving, or transit, to work and for family shopping and leisure activities;
3) good schools for our children and career-enhancing education and skills development programs for adults;
4) readily accessible and affordable health and social services;
5) readily accessible working landscapes (farms and ranches), parks and open space, and well-protected habitat and wilderness;
6) clean air and water;
7) a clean, reliable and affordable energy supply;
8) optimal choices for economic and ethnic integration;
9) tangible opportunities for low-income Californians to participate in the mainstream economy, and to enjoy the quality of life benefits of other Californians.

• Our regional economies are competitive in the global marketplace, attractive to investors, provide self-sufficiency wage jobs for all, and conserve and protect our precious natural resources, at home and abroad.
• All Californians, regardless of religion, ethnicity, race, income, disability or sexual orientation, are accorded respect and dignity, and California is seen as a world leader in effective pluralism.
• Our government policies, programs, and practices at all levels are world-class, effective and efficient, with accountability and broad public support.
• Our citizens and civic and philanthropic organizations are actively involved in helping to determine the futures of their regions and communities, and are guided by a stewardship ethic that instructs each generation to leave for future generations a California improved over the California left to them.

Values

The values that guide this effort:

1) Our shared responsibility to use this opportunity to help California move closer to the envisioned California.
2) Our understanding of California's long natural and human history, taking what was good and preserving it, and what was not and improving upon it.
3) Our intention to bring independence of mind, fairness of judgment, clarity and creativity of ideas, and collaborative deliberation to our work.
4) Our intention to reach out for a wide variety of perspectives, thereby to engage many, many Californians in this effort, so that it's products reflect the rich diversity of Californians' ideas, experiences, and aspirations.
5) Our willingness to be visionary and practical in our recommendations, understanding that change will be incremental, even if on the pathway to bold and provocative end-goals.
6) Our collective commitment to carry forward the good work of this Commission beyond its brief existence.

Throughout its modern history, from the Bear Flag Rebellion through the Progressive Era to the present day, Californians have always demanded that political decisions remain in their hands. The Commission realizes the importance of citizen participation in local, regional and statewide policy-making processes, and we understand that it is our role to be stewards and servants of the public will. Whatever we propose, the people of California, whether through their elected representatives or directly, will decide... and that is as it should be.