Survey of Gubernatorial campaign websites, 2001-2009: on Government Reform
Chris Christie:
Use the line item veto; put everything online
I believe we can and we must control spending and enforce accountability.- Use the line-item veto.
- Elect independent state auditor.
- Eliminate 2/3 political patronage jobs.
- Eliminate pensions and benefits for part-time workers.
-
Immediate freeze on proposed new agency rules and regulations.
- Sunset provisions for all new programs after 4 years.
- Transparency--put everything online with searchable databases.
Source: 2009 Gubernatorial campaign website, christiefornj.com
Nov 3, 2009
Chris Christie:
Cut wasteful spending; empower fiscal watchdogs
Gov. Corzine's spending is out of control. Taxpayer dollars are being wasted on ineffective programs while priority programs that have a positive impact on the quality of life of New Jersey families remain underfunded. Chris Christie will manage spending
and take control of New Jersey's priorities by budgeting for the future & cutting wasteful spending.Highlights from the plan for making sure every dollar counts:- Prioritize the state's funding commitments
- Establishing and empowering fiscal
watchdogs
- Implement simple, responsible budget practices..
It's time for a governor who will improve transparency, strengthen accountability and put the taxpayer first. It's the tone Chris Christie first set as US Attorney and it's how he will
serve as governor.Chris' plan to change the way government works:- Eliminate the Legislature's conflicts of interest
- Eliminate loopholes to strengthen laws banning pay to play
- Demand greater transparency and accountability in government.
Source: 2009 Gubernatorial campaign website, christiefornj.com
Jul 21, 2009
Chris Daggett:
Simplify burdensome regulatory structure & byzantine rules
We have no choice but to address the burdensome and complex regulatory structure of New Jersey, which is related directly to many of the other problems facing our state. Few, if any, people in or out of government understand the many and often byzantine
rules of the various departments of state government. Many hours and much money are wasted with consultants and lawyers trying to understand, or arguing over interpretations of, regulations.We need to convene widely representative task forces in
virtually every department of state government, with the goal of addressing overlapping, conflicting, redundant and contradictory regulations. There should be no intent to roll back or dilute existing requirements, but simply to make them easier
to understand and follow. It is a project that will take two to four years, and it will not get much attention, nor have any media appeal, but if we don't address it, we will never improve the efficiency, effectiveness or costs of government.
Source: 2009 Gubernatorial campaign website, daggettforgovernor.com
Jul 21, 2009
Jon Corzine:
Only NJ governor in 60 years to reduce size of government
The most important things become more obvious when you have shrinking resources. Because Jon Corzine made the right choices, he is the only New Jersey governor in over six decades to reduce the size of state government.
The budget that he signed into law on June 29th is $1.8 billion smaller than the first budget he signed in 2006.Even as he made government leaner and more efficient, Governor Corzine launched a first-in-the-nation Economic Assistance and
Recovery Plan; instituted a new school funding formula; expedited billions of dollars in new school construction; made meaningful and lasting reforms to ease our state's property tax burden; enrolled
80,000 more children in the state's health insurance program; and, took a child welfare system that was once rated among the worst in the country, and made it one of the best.
Source: 2009 Gubernatorial website, joncorzine09.com, "Real Results"
Jul 21, 2009
Bill Richardson:
Instituted all-paper ballots for all N.M. elections
For our democracy to function, our elections must be fair, our officials must be held accountable, & our citizens must have faith in our government. In 2002, electronic voting machines lost thousands of votes. Untold numbers of New Mexican citizens were
disenfranchised by the click of a button. Concerned citizens, the disabled community, and the legislature teamed up with Gov. Richardson to move New Mexico to an all-paper ballot voting system. From now on, every New Mexican voter will put pen to paper.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, billrichardson2006.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Mark Sanford:
Bring horse-and-buggy government into the 21st century
Bringing South Carolina’s horse-and-buggy government into the 21st century is key to providing savings to the taxpayer and improving government services. SC currently spend 130% of the national average on the cost of government, due in large part to
a government structure that is duplicative, unresponsive and inefficient. We also believe the best way to increase government-wide accountability is to reduce the number of elected constitutional officers and have them appointed by the governor instead.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, SanfordForGovernor.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Jodi Rell:
Ban on campaign cash from special interests
Ethics reform - first on the agenda. In her very first State of the State Address, Governor Rell proposed a sweeping package of ethics reforms called “Fairness Over Favoritism.” From restructuring the State Ethics Commission to reforming the state’s
contracting process, loopholes have been closed, disclosure requirements increased and gift restrictions tightened. Toughest in the nation campaign finance reform: Governor Rell demanded that the General Assembly pass tough, real reforms of our
campaign finance system - including bans on campaign cash from special interests. The changes are considered a national model.
Living those reforms--now. Although many of the campaign finance reforms won’t take effect for statewide offices until 2010,
Governor Rell is already living by standards that are stricter than required by the law. Governor Rell’s campaign is not accepting contributions from lobbyists, political action committees or anyone who negotiates, develops or signs a state contract.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial campaign website jodirell06.com, “Issues”
Sep 18, 2006
Christy Mihos:
Supports public financing of elections
Christy has pledged not to take money from lobbyists, state contractors or employees, and other special interests. Christy supports the public financing of elections.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial campaign website, www.christy2006.com
Jul 16, 2006
Grace Ross:
Voting rights for people, not monied interests
Our Issues- Our vote is our voice.
- Voting rights for all people not monied interests
Source: 2006 gubernatorial campaign website, www.graceandwendy.org
Jun 3, 2006
Christy Mihos:
Set aside 40% of tax revenues for local aid
Over the past few years, elected politicians on Beacon Hill have been able to “balance the budget” by cutting local aid, which is money that the state gives back to communities for schools, cops, and other local services.
That’s why less than 30% of today’s tax receipts go to support localities. By increasing that support to 40% - a plan proposed by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation - we can have a profound impact on municipal finances.
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial campaign website christy2006.com “Prop 1”
Jun 2, 2006
Arnold Schwarzenegger:
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
Jim Douglas:
Cost Control Council to audit state government spending
In the 1970’s, Gov. Snelling instituted a Cost Control Council to perform a top-to-bottom study of government functions and programs so that state government would operate in an efficient manner and take advantage of new technologies.
I will reconvene The Council with the mission to review each program and analyze the best methods of achieving objectives at the lowest possible cost. This review will result in more effective government while saving millions of taxpayer dollars.
Source: 2002 Gubernatorial campaign website JimDouglas.org, “Issues”
Oct 18, 2002
Kevin Mannix:
Fix budget with government structure change not tax hike
Oregonians should oppose the January 2003 income tax increase measure because it simply pumps more income into government without changing the way government does business and it will further deepen Oregon’s recession.
As Oregon’s new Governor, in January, I will collaborate with the legislature to implement emergency structural changes to fill the budget gap without raising taxes, without hurting education for our kids, and without endangering our neighborhoods.
Source: 2002 Gubernatorial website, MannixForOregon.org, “Budget”
Oct 15, 2002
Sonny Perdue:
End partisan redistricting
Perdue will issue a challenge to the new General Assembly: draw a map that places the people of Georgia ahead of political parties and partisan politics. Remove political data from the redistricting process -
do not divide our citizens simply because they choose to vote Democrat or Republican in a given election; make the number one criteria in the process the preservation of communities and united counties.
Source: 2002 Gubernatorial campaign website, VoteSonny.com, “Issues”
Oct 7, 2002
Page last updated: Dec 02, 2018