State of California secondary Archives: on Government Reform
Bill Simon:
Voters are turned off by negative campaigns
Q: Political participation remains extremely low. How do you inspire the public to “get involved”?A: Voters are turned off by negative campaigns. I have tried to run my campaign by focusing on the issues that matter to Californians: the economy,
education, and our quality of life. I tried to encourage open and honest debates with Gray Davis - but he refused to attend. In the general election alone, I appeared on over 200 radio shows. I hope these efforts helped to inspire voters to get involved.
Source: Eastern Groups Publications, CA Gov. Q&A, with Raul Vasquez
Nov 2, 2002
Bill Simon:
Davis’ pursuit of contributions are an obsession
Q: Name at least one positive and one negative influence you’ve found campaign contributions can have.A: A positive that can be found in campaign contributions is that they provide the funding to help raise voter awareness. The negative effect of
campaign contributions: Gray Davis. The governor has turned his pursuit of campaign cash into an obsession and has left Californians wondering whether his policies are based on what is good for our state or what is good for Gray Davis’ campaign wallet.
Source: Eastern Groups Publications, CA Gov. Q&A, with Raul Vasquez
Nov 2, 2002
Carly Fiorina:
American dream is perishable, if government keeps growing
I believe our state and our nation are at a pivotal moment. We have arrived at what Ronald Reagan once called a time for choosing. I've lived the American dream. But our American dream is perishable.
I believe bigger and bigger government higher and higher taxes and thicker and thicker regulation are killing the American dream. I see it happening all over the state and if Barbara Boxer remains in office for another 6 years it will only get worse.
I'm the only candidate in this race who has met a payroll or created jobs. And I will fight for every job. I am the only candidate in this race who has ever actually balanced a budget and cut spending in the real world and I will fight to cut government
spending. I believe we must stop sending more of our money to Washington because they have amply demonstrated that they do not spend our money wisely or well. If we want to change Washington we have to change the people we send to Washington.
Source: Hogue News 1380 KTKZ coverage of 2010 CA Senate debate
Mar 7, 2010
Doug Ose:
Government engaged in significant overreach of authority
Ose said he believes the government "is engaged in a significant overreach of its authority," including the recent guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that people should wear masks indoors in hot spot areas, even when they
are vaccinated. He suggested that Americans should have the option to move their children to a different school or simply choose to shop at a different store if they don't agree with mask requirements in place in those locations.
Source: CNN Politics on 2021 CA recall race
Aug 5, 2021
Doug Ose:
California did studies instead of building dams & reservoirs
Ose seemed to hit his stride when addressing water infrastructure and the drought. He told attendees that the California State government has "refused to do what voters wanted them to do" since the passing of Proposition 1 in 2014.
He said this proposition set aside $2.7 billion for new facilities to store and convey water. Instead of dams raised or reservoirs built, Ose said that the state has done nothing but "study the projects to death."
Source: Redheaded Blackbelt Blog on 2021 CA recall race
Aug 2, 2021
Gavin Newsom:
COVID: all registered voters receive mail-in ballots
More than half-a-dozen California political strategists noted that it is virtually impossible to predict what the universe of likely voters will be for a special election on a random date in September in the middle of a pandemic when every voter has a
ballot on their kitchen table. (To slow the spread of Covid, Newsom signed a law in February extending the state's rule that every registered voter would receive a mail-in ballot for any election this year).
Source: CNN Politics on 2021 CA recall race
Aug 5, 2021
Gray Davis:
Campaign contributions let regular people run for office
Q: Name at least one positive and one negative influence you've found campaign contributions can have in California politics.A: The positive influence is that contributions allow people of limited means-people who aren't multi-millionaires or
celebrities-to run for office. I am not independently wealthy, so I have to raise funds in order to get my message across. The money we raise does not finance my lifestyle. My opponent in this race [Bill Simon] has loaned himself nearly $11 million.
When he pays himself back, that money will go straight into his pocket. That's not to say that people who are wealthy shouldn't run for office. But, I think the people benefit by having representatives from different walks of life and different socio-
economic backgrounds. The negative influence is that fundraising creates perception problems. But, as long as you are open about the contributions you receive & put them out there for everyone to see, people will be able to make judgments for themselves.
Source: Eastern Groups Publications, CA Gov. Q&A, with Raul Vasquez
Nov 2, 2002
Gray Davis:
Your vote is your voice-legislate open process
Q: Political participation remains extremely low. How do you inspire the public to "get involved"?A: I am a very strong believer in the tenet that your vote is your voice. I signed the Voting Modernization Bond Act of 2002, which was approved by the
voters, to upgrade voting systems. I also signed a bill that allows citizens to register to vote up to 15 days before an election, instead of 29 days. Another one I signed allows unaffiliated voters to participate in the primary process
Source: Eastern Groups Publications, CA Gov. Q&A, with Raul Vasquez
Nov 2, 2002
Jimmy Gomez:
Replace Citizen's United with public financing
Campaign Finance Reform: Jimmy was the principal author of the California DISCLOSE Act, which proposed expanded campaign reform and disclosures in California.
He will support the overturn of Citizen's United with the goal of public financing of elections.
Source: 2017 CA House campaign website, JimmyGomezForCongress.com
Jun 6, 2017
John Chiang:
Dock pay of legislators unless they balance budget
Chiang announced on June 2, 2011 that unless the state legislature passed a balanced budget by June 15, the deadline specified in the California Constitution, he would start docking their pay. He said, "In passing Proposition 25 last November, voters
clearly stated they expect their representatives to make the difficult decisions needed to resolve any budget shortfalls by the mandatory deadline, or be penalized. I will enforce the voters' demand."On June 22, Chiang announced that he was following
through with his promise. Legislators did pass a budget, but according to Chiang, the budget they passed had a $1.85 billion deficit, and was therefore not a legal budget under the state's requirement that its budget must be balanced.
Therefore, Chiang said, there was functionally no budget and by the terms of Proposition 25, he was required to stop paying the state's legislators. The impact to individual members of the California State Legislature was about $400/day
Source: Ballotpedia.org coverage of 2018 CA Gubernatorial race
Feb 12, 2017
John Chiang:
Caught state paying $11 million salaries to dead employees
John Chiang has aggressively used his independent fiscal oversight power to audit state and local government programs. He has found over $8 billion in government waste, fraud, abuse and inefficiency--far more than any previous Controller.
John stopped the state from paying $11 million a year in salaries to dead employees. He cracked down on bureaucrats spending tens of thousands of dollars on lavish meals and extravagant entertainment.
Source: Campaign website ElectJohnChiang.com for CA Treasurer
Nov 1, 2014
John Cox:
I'm the outsider, not beholden to any donors
[On opponents' supporters]: "I'm the outsider. I'm the guy that's going to get things done," Cox said, criticizing Newsom and
Faulconer as beholden to their donors. "People are sick of that. They want an outsider. They want someone that's actually going to address these issues."
Source: Los Angeles Times on 2021 CA recall race
Apr 2, 2021
John Melendez:
Electoral College broken, voters unheard
We must completely overhaul the Electoral College. The most recent presidential election has proven the system is broken.
The Electoral College's inaction allowed over three million votes to go unheard.
Source: 2018 CA Senate campaign website JohnMelendezForSenate.com
Aug 1, 2017
Kevin Faulconer:
Would veto elimination of single-family zoning
Single-family zoning got lots of love, as the candidates vowed to oppose attempts to build more housing by allowing apartments in neighborhoods now zoned for single-family homes. The issue has been a contentious one in the Legislature in recent years,
with bills stalling amid bipartisan resistance. "When we see some of these pieces of legislation that want to eliminate single-family zoning in California, that's wrong," Faulconer said. "I will veto that."
Source: Cal Matters on 2021 CA recall race
Aug 5, 2021
Laura Smith:
Investigate and punish embezzlement of taxpayer funds
Crime naturally diminishes when corrupt politicians are held accountable for criminal activity and when already enacted laws are enforced. California is saturated with crime and criminals are rampant in its society, causing irreversible damage to
law-abiding citizens. Bribery, illegal favors, money-laundering, or embezzlement of the taxpayers' money will not be tolerated. Embezzlement of taxpayer funds is a crime to be investigated and funds must be returned to the taxpayers.
Source: 2022 CA Governor campaign site LauraSmithForCAgovernor.com
Aug 2, 2021
Laura Smith:
Revoke automatic voter registration via drivers' licenses
Crimes of voter fraud will be investigated, while revocation of the unconstitutional and illegal automatic voter registration through drivers' licenses will be enforced; not all California drivers' license holders are citizens of the U.S. and it is
commonly understood that only U.S. citizens specifically have the legal right to vote in the U.S. Handling voters' sensitive data information during the investigation will be conducted with the utmost care. Protecting citizens' privacy is crucial.
Source: 2022 CA Governor campaign site LauraSmithForCAgovernor.com
Aug 2, 2021
Laura Smith:
Term limits must be imposed for all representatives
Government corruption within the moral fibers of California's public service sector has resulted in the deterioration of the people's confidence in their elected representatives. Government officials--officeholders--are to serve at the will and
pleasure of the people; hence the "Public Servant" attribution. Term limits must be imposed for all office-holding representatives. Public servants must also be required to accept the same healthcare imposed upon the people.
Source: 2022 CA Governor campaign site LauraSmithForCAgovernor.com
Aug 2, 2021
Lily Zhou:
Knows firsthand how regulations stifle economic growth
Having extensive business experience, Lily knows firsthand how regulations stifle economic growth.
She will work to make our federal government once again small business friendly.
Source: 2021 CA Senate campaign website LilyZsenate2022.com
Lily Zhou:
Signed pledge for amendment for Congressional term limits
U.S. Term Limits praises 2022 U.S. senate candidate for California, Lily Zhou for signing the pledge for an amendment to term limit Congress. USTL President Philip Blumel commented on Zhou's pledge
saying, "Lily's strong support of term limits shows that there are individuals who are willing to put self-interest aside to follow the will of the people. America needs a Congress that will be served by citizen legislators, not career politicians."
Source: U.S. Term Limits endorsement on 2022 CA Senate race
Mar 7, 2021
Peter Camejo:
Encourage volunteerism and political activism
Q: Political participation remains extremely low. How do you inspire the public to "get involved"?A: I've addressed volunteerism with the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project.
I've always encouraged people to vote, and not just for the Green Party, but to vote and become politically active. People come up to me after hearing me speak and tell me that I've inspired them to want to get involved in activism.
Source: Eastern Groups Publications, CA Gov. Q&A, with Raul Vasquez
Nov 2, 2002
Peter Camejo:
Green's contributions for message; Dem-Rep's for investments
Contributions from individuals are essential for the Green Party and other small parties what allow us to grow and reach voters with our message. These contributions come from individuals who believe in what we are doing and who want to see us expand our
work and our message. But what the Democrats and Republicans get are not contributions, but investments. They are expecting something in return for their investments, and that is absolutely sickening.
Source: Eastern Groups Publications, CA Gov. Q&A, with Raul Vasquez
Nov 2, 2002
Ron Paul:
I believe in market regulation, but not federal regulation
Q: You're known as the absolutist in the bunch, someone who has consistently opposed federal government from having any role that isn't explicitly laid out in the Constitution. So this makes people curious: Where do you draw the line? Does this include
things like making cars safe, making medicine safe, air traffic control? A: In theory, if you understood the free market in a free society, you don't need government to do that. We live in a society where we have been adapted to this, and you can't
just drop it all at once, but you can transition away from it. On regulations, no, I don't believe in any of these federal regulations, but that doesn't mean I don't believe in regulations. The regulation of the marketplace takes care of it. So the marke
would dictate it. You can't commit fraud. If you need detailed regulations, you can do it at the state level. But the federal government is not authorized to nitpick every little transaction. The way they use the interstate commerce clause is outrageous.
Source: 2011 GOP debate in Simi Valley CA at the Reagan Library
Sep 7, 2011
Ron Paul:
Everything government does is a mandate
Q: Do you advocate getting rid of the minimum wage? Would that create more jobs?PAUL: Absolutely. And it would help the poor, the people who need a job. The minimum wage is a mandate. We're against mandates, so why should we have it?
No, it would be very beneficial. But mandates, that's what the whole society is about. That's what we do all the time. That's what government does: mandate, mandate, mandate.
And we talk so much about the ObamaCare mandate, which is very important, but what about Medicare? Isn't that a mandate? Everything we do is a mandate.
So this is why you have to look at this at the cause of liberty. We don't need the government running our lives.
Source: 2011 GOP debate in Simi Valley CA at the Reagan Library
Sep 7, 2011
Ron Paul:
Don't use Executive Orders for controversial laws
Q: [to Paul]: Your campaign put out a statement accusing Gov. Perry of pushing for bailout money, supporting welfare for illegal immigrants, and trying to forcibly vaccinate 12-year-old girls against sexually transmitted diseases.?PAUL: Forcing
12-year-old girls to take an inoculation to prevent STDs is not good medicine. It's not good social policy. But one of the worst parts about that was the way it was done. You know, the governorship in
Texas traditionally is supposed to be a weak governorship. I didn't even know they could pass laws by writing an executive order. He did it with an executive order, passed it. The state was furious, and the legislature, overwhelmingly,
90%, repealed this. But I think it's the way it was passed, which was so bad. I think it's a bad piece of legislation. But I don't like the idea of executive orders. I, as president, will not use the executive order to write laws.
Source: 2011 GOP debate in Simi Valley CA at the Reagan Library
Sep 7, 2011
Ron Paul:
FEMA just conditioned people to build where they shouldn't
Q: Regarding FEMA: if you object to how it's run, your position is to remove it, take it away, abolish it. What happens in its absence?PAUL: Well, what happened before 1979? We didn't have FEMA. FEMA just conditioned people to build where they
shouldn't be building. We lose the market effect of that. But, yeah, my position is, we should have never had it. There's a much better way of doing it. I mean, this whole idea that the federal government can deal with weather and anything in the world,
just got to throw a government there? FEMA's broke. They're $20 billion in debt. But I'm not for saying tomorrow close it down. A lot of people pay the insurance. I work real hard to make it work, and I did that in my district, too.
But I'll tell you how we should do it. We're spending $20 billion a year for air conditioning in Afghanistan and Iraq. Cut that $20 billion out, bring in--take $10 off the debt, and put $10 into FEMA or whoever else needs it.
Source: 2011 GOP debate in Simi Valley CA at the Reagan Library
Sep 7, 2011
Kevin Kiley:
Written words are binding on those in positions of power
The opposite of Gavin Newsom's lawless governorship is one that respects the rule of law. That means recognizing that written words are binding on those in positions of power. From this comes the most basic form of freedom--freedom from the arbitrary
dominion and control of another. It's what gives life to the idea that we as citizens are not mere subjects of state power but authors of our own political future.Respecting the rule of law means recognizing both the California and U.S.
Constitutions as constraints on what the Governor, the Legislature, or any official can do. It means restoring a proper separation of powers, where the Governor's job is to implement laws passed by the Legislature.
Our Founders made a
deliberate choice that exercising the powers of government should not be easy. As the ultimate safeguard of liberty, they defined those powers as limited, distributed, checked, and balanced--precisely the opposite of California these last 15 months.
Source: KileyForCalifornia.com website on 2021 CA recall race
Aug 4, 2021
Kevin Kiley:
No "Third House": end lobbyist contributions and influence
[I support a] governorship that serves the public interest. This requires defusing the power of the "Third House" lobbyists who largely control the first two houses, the Assembly and Senate, as well as this Governor in particular. The Third House--
consisting of lobbyists for union conglomerates, industry associations, and major companies--accounts for the vast majority of political funding in California. For many Legislators, how to vote on a bill comes down to nothing more than which interests
are for or against it.Changing this dynamic can be difficult to do through campaign finance laws, but it is achievable through a cultural change at the Capitol. That was my goal in becoming the first 100 percent citizen-backed California Legislator
by declining all contributions from the Third House. Ultimately, accepting Third House contributions needs to be stigmatized, and that can start with political leaders refusing to support any candidate of either party who accepts them.
Source: KileyForCalifornia.com website on 2021 CA recall race
Aug 4, 2021
Kevin Kiley:
More open governance: restore power to local institutions
The opposite of Gavin Newsom's self-promotional governorship is one of humility. This means humility not only in the conduct of the state's chief executive, but in the role of the government itself. It means remembering that every action we take has
legitimacy only by the consent of the people we represent. Concretely, that means a more open and deliberative approach to governance. It means restoring power to local institutions that know their communities best.
Source: KileyForCalifornia.com website on 2021 CA recall race
Aug 4, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023