Calbuzz props to Tom Campbell, Presidential Scholar and Visiting Professor of Law at Chapman University, who was the first of the potential candidates for governor to answer — ALL — of our pithy gubernatorial questions in writing.
Campbell, 56, is a former Republican U.S. Congressman, California State Senator, California Director of Finance and Dean of the Haas School of Business at U.C. Berkeley. It’s unclear whether Campbell can raise the money to launch a campaign for governor in a race that includes moneybags like Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner. But he’s a smart guy with a sterling resume and we applaud his willingness to speak directly to the state’s key concerns.
Click here for Campbell’s complete answers. Here’s just a taste:
“We should budget based on revenues one year in arrears. There’s nothing partisan about that suggestion, so I think it has a good chance of being followed. It will take several years to accomplish this; but the “rainy day” fund aspect of Prop. 1A is a good start. After ten years, perhaps sooner, we would raise revenue one year, let it earn interest, and spend it the next year. There would never again be any doubt about how much money we would have to spend. And if there were a decline in revenues, we would see it a year in advance, and take steps with more care to address it”.
“Every new state regulation should carry a 5-year sunset. A regulation could be re-promulgated if it’s been effective, otherwise, let it drop…To attract and keep jobs, we need to continue public works unabated. That means freeways, water storage and transport, port facilities, airports, energy infrastructure, and other projects . . . On taxes, we need to lower every tax that discourages jobs in our state. We need to get more in line with our competitor states’ levels on income tax, sales tax, and business tax.”
Re. Proposition 13: . . . “the ‘split roll’ idea is a job-killer.”
Re. Dealing with the Legislature: “. . . The Governor needs to be respected by and have respect for the Legislature. The Governor who wins by demonizing the other party, or the other branch, cannot hope to be effective once in office.”
