Arnold Schwarzenegger in Survey of Gubernatorial campaign websites, 2001-2009
On Abortion:
Supports current family planning programs
I support a woman’s right to choose. I support the state’s current family planning programs, and as governor, would make no changes to this policy.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Abortion:
Opposes partial birth abortion
I do not support partial birth abortion. I am in favor of parental notification, but I believe there must be a mechanism available where an individual can seek counsel from an outside entity, perhaps the courts.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Budget & Economy:
Reduce billions in waste, fraud, and abuse
After taking a close look at California’s budget, it’s hard to make any sense out of it. California’s budget has become a patchwork of special interest give-aways draining precious resources from core programs such as education, public safety and
health care. There are also hundreds of millions of dollars-if not billions-of documented waste, fraud and abuse in state spending. Our first order of business is to get California’s operating deficit-estimated at between $5 and $8 billion-under control.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Budget & Economy:
Impose constitutional limit on spending and balanced budget
I will ensure that California government lives within its means-something working families manage to do everyday-and reins in spending to close the operating deficit. I support a constitutional limit on annual spending increases and an unambiguous
constitutional requirement that the state pass a balanced budget, so that California never finds itself in this mess again. I will restructure our inherited debt, estimated at between $12 & $20 billion.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Crime:
Death penalty is a necessary and effective deterrent
Q: Do you support the death penalty?A: Yes. I believe it is a necessary and effective deterrent to capital crimes.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Crime:
Keep “Three Strikes” law
Q: Do you support the Three Strikes law?A: Yes, and I believe it should not be modified. It has proven to be an excellent deterrent to violent crime.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Education:
Measure student progress and school progress
Our children are not where they can be. The academic achievement for California students must improve. We have an achievement gap that leaves behind too many of our state’s children. This is unacceptable. I will take aggressive measures to improve
our public schools. I guarantee to every Californian: - Schools that are safe and clean
- Classroom instruction based on proven research
- Quality textbooks for every student
- Tests that measure student and school progress
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Education:
Supports public school choice and community control
I will take aggressive measures to improve our public schools. I guarantee to every Californian: - After-school tutoring and public school choice when schools fail to make progress
- Increased local control
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My goal is to shift more power to local communities and give them more say over their budgets and get more money into the classroom.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Energy & Oil:
Renegotiate energy contracts to make electricity affordable
I will address high energy costs. California has the highest commercial and industrial electricity rates in the nation. Therefore, I will renegotiate the energy contracts and take other steps to give California a reliable and affordable energy system.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Energy & Oil:
Opposed to offshore oil drilling
Q: What is your position on offshore oil drilling? A: California is identified for its beaches and magnificent coastline more than any other single feature. I am opposed to offshore oil drilling.
I will urge the federal government to purchase the remaining offshore oil leases as has been done in Florida.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Environment:
Improve our economy without impairing our environment
Q: You have stated that you are a friend of the environment. What does that mean? A: I will be a passionate defender of California’s environment, providing real leadership to protect our precious land, air, and water.
I believe that part of California’s greatness lies in its natural resources and beauty. It is an essential part of the California experience.
What we do in this state must improve our quality of life, and environmental damage runs counter to that.
Even from an economic perspective, our environment must be protected. If we have beaches soiled by oil spills, tourists will not come to this state. If we log our forests irresponsibly, stream beds will be destroyed
and our fishing industry will be damaged.
I believe we can improve our economy without impairing our environment, and will govern by this belief. I am assembling a team of environmental advisors that will elaborate on key issues in the coming weeks.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Environment:
Override federal exemption of new air pollution sources
Breathing clean and healthy air is the right of all Californians, especially our children, whose health suffers disproportionately when our air is polluted.California’s Clean Air Act was the model for the federal Clean Air Act and our state has always
led the nation in clean air programs. As governor, I will examine the federal exemption of new sources of industrial air pollution from “new source review” and propose state regulations to ensure that new facilities do not worsen our air quality.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Environment:
Promote watershed management to clean up bays and rivers
I will direct the State Water Resources Control Board to fully enforce all laws that protect our state’s drinking and recreational waters from pollution. Our streams, rivers, lakes, and bays can be better protected by using watershed management.
As Governor, I will direct Cal/EPA and the Resources Agency to fully implement their recent agreement to clean up California’s watersheds. These watersheds feed Lake Tahoe and Santa Monica Bay that are among California’s most precious natural gems.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Government Reform:
Curb frivolous lawsuits
I will push for laws curbing frivolous lawsuits - which cost every Californian $1,200 per year.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Gun Control:
Strong supporter of the second amendment
Q: Where do you stand on gun control? A: I am a strong supporter of the second amendment. The U.S. constitution allows for law-abiding citizens to own a firearm.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Gun Control:
Support Brady Bill; assault weapon ban; safety locks
I [support the second amendment, but I] also believe that there are responsibilities that gun owners must follow in owning a firearm.
I support the Brady bill, I support the current assault weapons ban and I believe that guns must have safety devices or be stored as to prevent accidental discharge.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Immigration:
Increase federal reimbursement for border enforcement
Immigrants contribute to the richness of life in California, and I embrace them. Border enforcement is a federal responsibility. However, state taxpayers currently bear the costs of providing public services to undocumented immigrants,
such as incarcerating undocumented immigrants in the state prison system. I will work with other border states, the President, and the US Congress to increase federal reimbursements for these costs.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Immigration:
Address undocumented immigrants living underground
Q: What is your position on undocumented immigrants?A: Proposition 187 has been resolved by the courts. It is time to move on.
More than 2.3 million undocumented immigrants currently live in California. They cannot continue to live underground. I will work with federal officials to address this problem.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Jobs:
Immediately reform workers’ compensation system
The day I am sworn in, I will call a special session of the Legislature to reform our inefficient and costly workers’ compensation system. I will order an outside, independent audit of the state budget so we can get a clear picture-
uncluttered by politics and special interest influence-of how we can bring spending under control without neglecting our most important obligations. And I will send a message to the political class that it will no longer be business as usual.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Principles & Values:
California government is failing the people
When I first came to California 35 years ago, California was a place of dreams. This great state said to the people everywhere: Come here, work hard, play by the rules, and your dreams can come true.
But today, the dream - and the optimism that California represented to this nation and the world - has been shattered. I believe we can restore that optimism and the dreams that were once fulfilled here.
Our people are good people-they work hard, they pay their taxes, they raise their families, and they’re doing everything they can to provide their children with the tools to succeed. We have everything we need here in California-except leadership.
California government is failing the people. The state government is not providing the leadership necessary to put people first-to put their hopes and dreams ahead of the special interests that have entrenched themselves in Sacramento.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Tax Reform:
Californians are overtaxed; find a better way
I am firmly opposed to raising taxes. Californians are already overtaxed. California has one of the highest tax burdens in the nation, and just about everything a Californian does today is subject to one tax or another. It’s unfair to accept the
notion that hitting taxpayers up for more money is the answer to our state’s budget and economic problems. Politicians in Sacramento should find a better way to turn things around-not simply shift the burden of their mistakes onto the backs of taxpayers.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
On Tax Reform:
Fight any attempt to roll back Proposition 13
Proposition 13 has allowed millions of Californians to realize the dream of homeownership for over 25 years, and I will fight any attempt to roll back its protection. Thanks to this measure, California homeowners are not burdened with the prospect
of losing their homes someday because of a spiraling tax burden. Proposition 13 also protects Californians on fixed incomes, notably retired residents, from being priced out of their homes.
Source: 2003 Gubernatorial campaign website, JoinArnold.com
Aug 29, 2003
Page last updated: Dec 02, 2018