State of California Archives: on Budget & Economy
Alex Padilla:
These aren't stimulus checks; they're basic survival checks
The other thing I want to be clear on is these are not stimulus checks. These are basic survival checks. Folks that don't know where the next meal is coming from, folks that don't know if, you know, they're going to be evicted at the end of the month.
This $2,000 direct assistance is just survival for now, but we're going to need a lot more direct aid for many months, until we get to the other side of this pandemic.
Source: Washington Post on 2022 California Senate race
Mar 23, 2021
Arnold Schwarzenegger:
Painful spending cuts & temporary tax increases were needed
[In this year's economic recession] we did what we had to do. We made painful spending cuts. We passed temporary tax increases. We permanently eliminated COLAs for most state programs and we made major reforms in welfare and parole.
$11 billion in water bonds will be on the ballot this November. Some people say "how can we afford these bonds in the current economic climate?" I say, how can we not?
Source: California 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 6, 2010
Bill Jones:
Concerned about higher federal spending
I am concerned about higher federal spending, although some is justifiable because of the rebuilding of Afghanistan and Iraq and anti-terrorism demands. “Proper tax policies combined with controls on discretionary spending can get us there,
but only if we remember that a good economy sets good tax policy, not the other way around.”
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website JonesForCalifornia.com “Issues”
May 2, 2004
Bill Jones:
Stop subsidizing the rest of the country
We need to change how government works, ensure corporate responsibility, but also provide the level playing field for California. Jones also believes it is time California stopped subsidizing the rest of the country. For every $1 sent by California
taxpayers to Washington, we receive only 70 cents back in federal services and programs. Jones will fight for a more equal share of federal spending in all program areas, to keep federal dollars in our state supporting California jobs.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website JonesForCalifornia.com “Issues”
May 2, 2004
Brian Dahle:
COVID: stop recklessly spending billions of dollars
- Provide greater oversight and accounting of distributed funds.
- Write clawbacks into state contracts for underperforming entities like the Valencia testing lab.
- Quantify actual Return on Investment.
-
Let's stop recklessly spending billions of dollars to respond to the pandemic's challenges with poor results.
- Let's help out our struggling businesses and end the constant cycle of short supply of necessary items such as rapid tests and masks.
Source: 2022 California Governor campaign website BrianDahle.com
Feb 21, 2022
Brian Dahle:
Clawbacks in state contracts for underperforming entities
- The ISSUE: The state paid more than $20 billion in fraudulent Unemployment claims during the pandemic.
- The TRUTH: California has no plan to recoup those funds.
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The PLAN: Provide greater oversight and accounting of distributed funds. Have clawbacks written into state contracts for underperforming entities.
Source: 2022 California Governor campaign website BrianDahle.com
Feb 21, 2022
Delaine Eastin:
Build an economy that works for everyone
California needs to be a place where you can buy a home, send your kids to college, and live a comfortable retirement. This means we need long range plans to fix our aging infrastructure;
build housing that people can afford, and provide jobs that pay a living wage. Californians also need paid leave and affordable, high quality childcare, like the rest of the industrialized world.
Source: 2018 California Gubernatorial website DelaineForGovernor.com
Sep 1, 2017
Gavin Newsom:
Government has role in economic growth
Gavin is the chief architect of California's Economic Growth and Competitiveness Agenda. It charts a path for better infrastructure, a focus on future manufacturing, building up exports and other pillars of California's success.
Gavin has also joined with others in calling on Congress to utilize funds to boost California's trade competitiveness, invest in California's infrastructure, and help to grow jobs on our waterfront, our farms and our manufacturing floors.
Source: 2018 California Gubernatorial website GavinNewsom.com
Sep 1, 2017
Gavin Newsom:
Opportunity zones worthy of bipartisan support
Newsom said the Opportunity Zones program will not only help boost California's already enormous economy but would also help provide funds to deal with state's
housing crisis and would promote energy investment to help the state reach its climate change goals.
The Opportunity Zones program is part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and looks to bring down the capital gains taxes for investors in real estate and business in low income neighborhoods.
The program would permit investors to pay no capital gains taxes--which can run as high as 20 percent--after holding on to an investment for 10 years.
Source: Fox News on 2018 California Gubernatorial race
Mar 20, 2019
Gavin Newsom:
$2.6 billion in grants to small businesses & nonprofits
California is where garages are the launch pads for world-changing industries and anyone with the telltale tenacity of a small business owner can create their own California Dream. But only if we nurture them.
That's why we're providing the largest small business grant fund in the nation. $2.6 billion in grants of up to $25,000 for small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the pandemic.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to California legislature
Mar 9, 2021
Heidi Ganahl:
Government has grown too much; we can reduce it
Government has grown too much. I think one of the most important things we can do is reduce the size of our bureaucracies, our agencies, and put decision-making over people's lives, businesses and families back in the hands of Coloradans.
A lot of folks talk about zero-based budgeting and I'm not saying that we should go there, but we can certainly take that approach and see if there are ways that we could cut the spending.
Source: California Public Radio on 2022 Colorado Gubernatorial race
Jun 17, 2022
James Bradley:
Use tax incentives to stimulate small businesses
CAREERS- Stimulate entrepreneurial start-ups
- Tax incentives to stimulate small businesses
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Limit government regulations to unleash the free market
- Simplify E-verify for employers
Source: 2021 California Senate campaign website BradleySenate.com
Jun 29, 2021
Jerry Brown:
Proposes balanced budget and $12.5 billion in cuts
I am proposing a balanced budget that cuts $12.5 billion from proposed state spending. It's time to restore California to fiscal solvency and put us on the road to economic recovery and jobs.
Since it's going to take time to fully implement the restructuring program, I'm going to ask for five years of extension of existing current taxes. This will allow the restructuring to proceed in an orderly way.
Source: California 2011 gubernatorial press release #16874
Jan 10, 2011
Jerry Brown:
$27B budget gap then; multibillion-dollar surplus now
Brown noted the recent shift in how the rest of the nation views California, now that the state has closed a $27-billion budget gap from when Brown began his term in 2011.
Instead of being viewed as a failed state, Brown said, California has regained its reputation as an engine of innovation and creativity.
"California is still a very yeasty place," he said, noting the state's record for companies that develop new technologies that grow into major industries.
He said the state now has multibillion-dollar surpluses that can continue for the next several years if state lawmakers spend responsibly.
Source: Los Angeles Times on 2014 California Governor race
Dec 16, 2013
Jerry Brown:
Follow advice from Book of Genesis: out away some surplus
While we know our revenues will fluctuate up and down, our long-term liabilities are enormous and ever growing. We also must account for future risks that could negatively affect our budgets like congressional decisions and natural disasters.
So we can't go back to "business as usual." Boom and bust is our lot and we must follow the ancient advice, recounted in the Book of Genesis, that Joseph gave to the Pharaoh: Put away your surplus during the years of great plenty so you will be ready
for the lean years which are sure to follow.
Most governors and legislatures--in modern times--have forgotten this advice. This time we won't do that. We will pay down our debts and remember the lessons of history.
Fiscal discipline is not the
enemy of our democracy but its fundamental predicate. To avoid the mistakes of the past we must spend with great prudence and we must establish a solid rainy day fund, locked into the Constitution.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to California legislature
Jan 22, 2014
Jerry Brown:
Ping-pong budgeting makes no sense
In earlier years, Brown was jokingly called "Gov. Moonbeam." But Brown today is grounded much more on earth than in outer space--sometimes to his own party's chagrin. After years of harsh cuts during the recession, Democrats were disappointed that
Brown's proposed budget this year called for socking away billions in a rainy-day fund for future emergencies, rather than restoring some of those cuts.California's current budget windfall has come almost entirely from a rebounding stock market, and
from billions in revenue generated by a capital gains tax--the most volatile revenue stream. Brown, scarred by budget battles both a few years ago and a few decades ago, said the state should save money in the good years to pay for the bad years.
"I
think that kind of ping-pong budgeting, where first you ping and then you pong, makes no sense," Brown said. "It's cruel budgeting to propose a spending program and then have to finance it two or three years from now by cutting somebody else's program."
Source: Washington Post on 2014 California gubernatorial race
Feb 28, 2014
Jerry Brown:
Investment in infrastructure makes long term economic sense
A long-term obligation is our deteriorating infrastructure. From state office buildings here in Sacramento to levees and facilities in our parks, universities, prisons & state hospitals--serious deficiencies abound. In this year's budget, I am proposing
that we use $2 billion of our temporary surplus on one-time investments to repair and replace aging structures. Neglecting what we have built over many years and letting it further deteriorate makes no sense and will just pile up costs in the long run.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to California legislature
Jan 21, 2016
Jimmy Panetta:
Grow economy in a way that creates jobs & raises wages
Together, we must do something to find solutions for the issues of our time. Our nation must remain strong and secure. The economy needs to grow in a way that creates jobs, raises wages, and returns the focus to small businesses.
We must finally get serious about immigration reform and address climate change by promoting the fundamentals of a clean energy economy that creates reliable new jobs.
Every American deserves access to a quality affordable education and equal justice under the law.
I will do everything in my power to renew the collaborative spirit that is necessary to get things [done].
Source: Vote-Smart 2016 California Political Courage Test
Nov 8, 2016
Kamala Harris:
Prosecuted fewer foreclosure fraud cases than smaller states
Harris was a firm proponent of civil asset forfeiture, sponsoring a bill to allow prosecutors to seize profits before charges were even filed. Years before that, she opposed AB 639, a bill that aimed to reform asset forfeiture.
The bill easily cleared the state assembly but was soon scuttled by a united wall of opposition from law enforcement, with whom Harris was united.
Her Mortgage Fraud Strike Force opened in 2011, employing twenty-five lawyers and investigators with a budget of more than $2 million to go after foreclosure fraud. The strike force managed to prosecute just ten cases in three years, an
East Bay Express investigation in 2014 found. It had filed fewer lawsuits than attorneys general in smaller states with fewer victims, and even fewer than some county district attorneys. Yet California led the country in terms of such scam operations.
Source: Jacobin Magazine on 2018 California Senate race
Aug 10, 2017
Kamala Harris:
Provide protections for homeowners in bank dealings
The bills provide first of their kind protections for homeowners and reforms to the mortgage and foreclosure process. The bills were approved 53 to 25 in the Assembly and 25 to 13 in the Senate. Said Attorney General Harris, "These common-sense
reforms will require banks to treat California homeowners more fairly and bring more transparency and accountability to their practices in our state. Responsible homeowners will have a better shot to keep their homes."
Source: 2012 California A.G./gubernatorial press release
Jul 2, 2012
Kamala Harris:
Provide protections for homeowners in bank dealings
The bills provide first of their kind protections for homeowners and reforms to the mortgage and foreclosure process. The bills were approved 53 to 25 in the Assembly and 25 to 13 in the Senate. Said Attorney General Harris, "These common-sense
reforms will require banks to treat California homeowners more fairly and bring more transparency and accountability to their practices in our state. Responsible homeowners will have a better shot to keep their homes."
Source: 2012 California A.G./gubernatorial press release
Jul 2, 2012
Mark Meuser:
The Federal Government needs to start balancing its budget
Mueser said the federal government could use a little more finance savvy. "The Federal Government needs to start balancing its budget like the state and businesses do, and we do at home," explained
Meuser. "When the Federal Government spends money we don't have, it increases money supply which is one of the leading factors behind inflation.
Source: NBC San Diego on 2022 California Senate race
May 26, 2022
Michael Eisen:
We need to fight together in unison against all budget cuts
Q: What can we do about budget cuts for science?Eisen: Scientists, don't just complain about NIH, NSF and other budget science cuts. The whole budget is a travesty and must be fought in unison.
Q: On a practical level, to do that, don't we need to point out the biggest problems with it?
Eisen: It's a strategy to pit groups against each other--it's the premise that we need budget cuts that's the problem.
Source: Twitter posting on 2018 California Senate race
Mar 16, 2017
Michael Eisen:
We need to fight together in unison against all budget cuts
Eisen: Scientists, don't just complain about @NIH, @NSF and other budget science cuts. The whole budget is a travesty and must be fought in unison.Twitter Question: I agree, tho on a practical level,
to do that, don't we need to point out the biggest probs w/ it? Yes, many besides sci cuts.
Eisen: It's a strategy to pit groups against each other--it's the premise that we need budget cuts that's the problem.
Source: Twitter posting on 2018 California Senate race
Mar 16, 2017
Mimi Walters:
$17T debt is unsustainable; scale back government
America faces a $17 trillion debt, an unsustainable amount. We must face the challenge of reducing spending and debt for the benefit of our nation and future generations of Americans.
Debt reduction should start with scaling back the size and scope of the federal government, which has grown too big and too powerful. I support plans to stop spending more than we take in and balance the budget within 10 years.
Source: 2014 California House campaign website, MimiWalters.com
Oct 10, 2014
Neel Kashkari:
Ran program to bail out the nation's largest banks
"California is like a rocket ship with multiple engines running at half throttle," Kashkari said. "We need to be competitive; we need to be in the hunt. We're not, but we can be."Kashkari previously worked for Goldman Sachs and ran a controversial
Treasury Department program that bailed out the nation's largest banks. He called that experience an example of the bipartisan compromises he hopes to strike in California.
Last year, Kashkari quit his job as an investment banking executive and began
traveling across the state and mulling his run for governor, meeting with potential donors, community organizations and regular Californians. He said he formed his campaign platform--creating jobs and fixing schools--by spending time in a homeless
shelter, meeting with Central Valley farm workers and listening to average Californians discuss their unmet needs. "People don't want welfare; they want jobs," said Kashkari, who did not elaborate on his policy positions.
Source: Mercury News on 2014 California Gubernatorial race
Jan 21, 2014
Norma Torres:
$2 billion in federal funds: Keep Your Home California
At a time when the recession had left thousands of families struggling financially, Torres responded to the crisis by successfully leading an effort to secure $2 billion in federal funds for the "Keep Your Home California" program. She helped pass the
Homeowner's Bill of Rights to protect consumers from foreclosure. She authored legislation to accelerate the construction of affordable housing, help delinquent homeowners refinance their second mortgages, and make it easier for returning veterans to
purchase homes. Senator Torres has been a vocal proponent to improve California's business climate to help create jobs in the Inland Empire. She fights for job training programs, access to higher education and other tools to improve the skills to
assist people get better paying jobs. She strongly advocates for services and programs that help families transition out of the recession, keep their homes and bring a quality education to their children.
Source: 2014 California House campaign website, NormaTorres.com
Oct 10, 2014
Pete Aguilar:
Build economy that's fair to middle-class & small business
With one in 10 people in the Inland Empire unable to find work, and many families earning less than they need to afford the basics, strengthening our economy and creating jobs is my top priority.
We can do that by building an economy that's fair to middle-class families and small businesses.
Source: 2014 California House campaign website, PeteAguilar.com
Nov 7, 2014
Ro Khanna:
Entrepreneurial Nation: programs to grow businesses
We need to expand manufacturing and tie it to technology process development--practices I studied while traveling the country to meet with small business owners during my two-year stint as assistant deputy secretary in the U.S. Department of Commerce.
My book, "Entrepreneurial Nation: Why Manufacturing is Still Key to America's Future," details strategies for how government can help businesses of all sizes grow and export. I was especially struck by how many successful manufacturers stressed
the importance of innovating at every stage of the production process. When everything from the design team to the production team is integrated, feedback flows freely. In Silicon Valley, we have a unique advantage.
In 2012, the San Jose metro area was ranked first in the nation for advanced manufacturing. Nearly two out of five local jobs are related to manufacturing, more than double the national average.
Source: 2016 California House campaign website RoKhanna.com
Nov 8, 2016
Sam Granato:
Balanced Budget Amendment leads to irresponsible tax policy
Sam Granato said he opposes amending the US Constitution to adopt California-style rules for the federal budget. "Delayed tax refunds, forced work-reduction furloughs, paying small business vendors with IOUs, court ordered tax increases, downgraded bond
ratings, increased interest rates. All of these things have happened in California because of rules that prevent responsible budgeting. This is a future that I do not want to see for the US. We are better than that," Granato said.Granato's comments
come on the heels of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's declaration of a "fiscal state of emergency" in California on Wednesday, a dire situation that was created by the state's inflexible budget laws and ensuing political gridlock. Mike Lee, Granato's
GOP opponent, has supported adding similar rules on the federal level by amending the US Constitution.
Granato said he opposes a so-called Balanced Budget Amendment because it will invariably result in draconian cuts that will hurt average Americans.
Source: Campaign press release, "California-style Budget Amendment"
Jul 29, 2010
Steve Knight:
Free enterprise instead of assuring livable income
Q: Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self interest into the fairest and most productive economic system there is, and are the key to national prosperity?
Knight: Strongly Agree
Q: It is the government's responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income?
Knight: Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 California House race
Sep 30, 2014
Tom Steyer:
Require Rainy Day budget stabilization in state constitution
Report on Steyer's stance and spending on ballot initiatives: - California Proposition 2, Rainy Day Budget Stabilization Fund Act (2014)
- Steyer Supported; Steyer spent $25,000; outcome: Approved
- California Proposition 2, the
Rainy Day Budget Stabilization Fund Act (Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1), was on the November 4, 2014 ballot in California as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.
- The measure was approved. The measure was formerly known as
Proposition 44.
- Requires an annual deposit of 1.5% of general fund revenues annually.
- Created a distinct budget stabilization fund known as the "Proposition 98 Reserve" or Public School System Stabilization Account (PSSSA).
The PSSSA is funded by a transfer of capital gains-related tax revenues in excess of 8% of general fund revenues.
- Funds are appropriated from the PSSSA when state support for K-14 education exceeds the allocation of other available resources.
Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records
Jul 2, 2019
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023