The bottom line: Over the last decade California government spending has grown out of control. Meg has outlined several areas of the budget where $15 billion of spending reductions can ultimately be realized. This will be hard work, requiring tough decisions. But Meg Whitman has the real-world management skills to bring a new approach to governing that requires accountability, efficiency and a “do more, do better with less” mentality.
Control the Rapid Growth in State Spending
In the decade preceding the start of the recession and last year’s ensuing budget crisis, state spending had increased by nearly 80 percent. To close the budget hole created by this spending binge and the economic downturn, politicians in Sacramento passed one of the largest tax increases in California history. But Sacramento’s appetite for more and more spending still remains.
Institute a Strict Spending Cap
To inject a level of certainty into the budget process, Meg will propose a strict spending limit based on the state’s Gross Domestic Product. This budget reform will lock spending in at a rate that will not increase unless the state’s economy is growing with it. The spending cap will enforce fiscal discipline throughout state government and protect taxpayers from future tax hikes.
Defend the Two-Thirds Budget Requirement
Meg will oppose any attempt to repeal California’s requirement to have a two-thirds majority in the Legislature to pass a budget agreement or tax increase. Lowering the threshold to a simple majority is nothing more than a license for Sacramento to raise our taxes.
Turn Sacramento Into a Part-Time Legislature
Meg will support a constitutional amendment that would turn California’s full-time Legislature into a part-time Legislature with a greatly reduced salary. If serving in Sacramento were a part-time job, maybe we wouldn’t have so many full-time spenders in the Capitol. We need citizen legislators, not professional politicians. It’s time to “Cut Their Pay and Send Them Home.”
"We need to put the brakes on the spending escalator in Sacramento. We’re not going to spend ourselves to economic prosperity, but we could tax our way to permanent underemployment."
— Meg Whitman
"State government is more than 20 years behind Silicon Valley in terms of utilizing modern technology to drive efficiencies and lower costs. We’re going to make Sacramento catch up."
— Meg Whitman
We invite you to share Meg's vision for A New California. Please feel free to pass along our original news from the campaign trail.
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