With California reeling from a deep recession and deficits that have hobbled government services, voters are understandably alarmed at the current state of the Golden State. <\/p>\n
In a poll last month by the Public Policy Institute of California, only 13 percent of likely voters thought California was heading in the right direction; 83 percent thought it was heading down the wrong path. <\/p>\n
Given those numbers, you might think that candidates for office would bring a sense of urgency to their campaigns, as we approach the June primary. <\/p>\n
Some are, but far too few. In both state and local races, candidates are largely going through the motions. Many are uttering the same stale platitudes, offering vague answers on specific policy choices and ignoring important issues that should be central to their platforms. <\/p>\n
Overall, there is a somnolent air to the current campaign season, and the race for governor is partly to blame. <\/p>\n
On the Democratic Party side, Jerry Brown is the presumptive nominee and, after waiting for months to make his candidacy official, has done little to engage voters. <\/p>\n
In the GOP primary, Meg Whitman is far ahead in the polls, and has used her vast wealth to fund what is effectively an air campaign, waged primarily through television advertisements. <\/p>\n
These kinds of “contests” only serve to fuel public cynicism about politics, leaving voters dispirited. Yet the gubernatorial contest is just one of many. In June, those who head to the polls will be selecting county sheriffs, tax assessors, city council members, county supervisors and school leaders. Nine candidates are vying to be attorney general, the most important law enforcement job in the state. There are also competitive races for U.S. Senate, state Assembly seats and the Board of Equalization. <\/p>\n
We urge you to pay close attention to these contests, and even more than that, pay attention to what the candidates are not<\/i> saying. <\/p>\n
What issues are they avoiding? Are they clearly responding to specific questions with yes or no answers? Are they focused on issues of immediate concern, or exploiting issues in a bid to appeal to narrow constituencies? Are they willing to act independently of party machines? Is a candidate’s agenda ambitious or incremental? <\/p>\n
If a candidate is an incumbent, what has he or she done to contribute to the current condition of state or local finances? If the candidate is an outsider, does he or she have the experience and temperament necessary to hold public office? <\/p>\n
Regardless of one’s political bent, these are all concerns that Californians should share as we prepare to exercise a rare privilege – the right to vote. <\/p>\n
In coming weeks, The Bee will be offering its own endorsements for office, but beyond that, we will also be devoting space to issues often overlooked on the campaign trail – the Voter’s Agenda. <\/p>\n
Below are a selection of these issues, along with questions the candidates should be prompted to address in debates, forums and policy statements. By no means comprehensive, this checklist is a starting point for ensuring candidates don’t duck the big issues. <\/p>\n
STATE GOVERNMENT <\/b><\/p>\n
Budget shortfalls <\/b><\/p>\n
Barring an economic miracle, California faces multibillion-dollar budget deficits for many years into the future. The only way to close such a massive shortfall is with a mix of spending cuts and new revenue. As allies of state employee unions, Democrats must be pressed on how they would reduce payroll costs and restructure state government. Republicans who have made no-tax pledges must be pressed on how they close huge deficits through cuts alone, without undermining law enforcement, shutting down public schools or releasing thousands of prisoners. <\/p>\n
Creating jobs <\/b><\/p>\n
California has more than 100 economic development programs, and the state spends millions on these efforts, with uncertain results. On Thursday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger created a Governor’s Office of Economic Development, which supporters hope will better assist prospective businesses and bring more coherence to the state’s job creation functions. Candidates need to be pressed to articulate their own strategy for the state’s economic development. What type of businesses should the state be recruiting? How can its regulations and incentives be aligned to better attract new businesses?<\/p>\n
Corrections crisis<\/b><\/p>\n
California’s prisons are overcrowded and threatened with court takeovers. They are failing to rehabilitate inmates and consume an increasing proportion of the state budget. Candidates can’t duck this issue. How would they reduce overcrowding? Build more prisons? How? With what money? Institute medical parole? Shave time off sentences for certain nonviolent offenders? Answers aren’t easy, but the status quo is unacceptable.<\/p>\n
Water wars<\/b><\/p>\n
Certain agricultural interests seek to frame the water crisis as fish vs. farmers. But California’s water challenges are more complicated than that. To avoid shortages, the state must use water more efficiently. It must create incentives for smart use of water, and penalties for waste. So when candidates talk about “more water for farmers,” voters should ask: Where does this water come from? Who pays for it? Who loses water? And does this create the right incentives? <\/p>\n
Graying of California<\/b><\/p>\n
Average life expectancy in California is expected to rise from 79 years to over 84 by 2050. Partly because we are living longer, the number of Californians 65 or older is expected to triple by 2050.<\/p>\n
California is unprepared for this demographic shift. In fact, state and local governments are cutting services that serve the elderly, such as transit, adult day care and in-home supportive services. Where do candidates stand? Should the state expand its role in serving a graying population? If so, how will it pay for it?<\/p>\n
Health care reform<\/b><\/p>\n
With passage of the national health care overhaul, California has an opportunity to cover uninsured residents, increase preventive care and begin the task of reducing costs. How will the state set up a health insurance exchange for small businesses and individuals not covered by their employers? How will the state prepare for Medi-Cal expansion that starts in 2014? Initially that will be paid for by the federal government, but gradually the state’s share will increase to 10 percent by 2020. <\/p>\n
SACRAMENTO REGION<\/b> <\/p>\n
Pensions<\/b><\/p>\n
Following the lead of state government, many local bodies increased pension benefits for their employees in the early part of the last decade. <\/p>\n
Some retired public safety officers are now earning pensions of $100,000 to $200,000 per year. Candidates for local office must be pressed on how these payouts can be justified when services are being cut back and new employees are being laid off. Would they push to reduce benefits for new hires? If not, why?<\/p>\n
Public education<\/b><\/p>\n
All local candidates – not just those vying for school boards – must articulate a vision for our public schools. The choices are clear. Where do they stand on offering real turnaround strategies for struggling schools? Do they support holding teachers and schools accountable for student improvement from the beginning of a school year to the end? Do they support offering parents options, such as sending their children to public charter schools? Do they support a range of options in recruiting teachers, especially in hard-to-staff schools and subject areas such as math, science and special education?<\/p>\n
Open space<\/b><\/p>\n
With the downturn in the economy, the Sacramento region has a chance to plan its future landscape, reserving appropriate lands for housing, job centers, farming, open space and recreation. Yet it may have only a few years before rising land prices complicate the task of planning this future. Where do candidates stand on open space and preservation of farmland? What opportunities do they see? Do they support the SACOG Blueprint?<\/p>\n
Consolidations<\/b><\/p>\n
Across California, cities, counties and special districts offer duplicative services – solid-waste disposal, animal control, water delivery and parks maintenance, to name a few. Do candidates support consolidation? Where do they see opportunities? Are they willing to confront the fiefdoms that protect the status quo of service delivery, no matter how inefficient or redundant that system might be?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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