1. What do you say to the millions of Californians who polls show are unhappy about the higher cost of living and their perception that quality of life has been declining in their communities?
They’re right to be unhappy. California has become too expensive for too many Californians.
I’m running to lower costs. I have a history of getting results, even when career politicians couldn’t. I’m the only one who’ll take on the corporations ripping Californians off.
That’s why special interests including oil companies, utilities and real estate are spending millions against me. They know I’m a threat to their profits, and they know I have real, detailed plans to lower costs.
I’ll address the housing crisis. I’ll stop big corporations from buying up homes, cut permit fees that drive up costs, and limit large rent increases to provide relief while new housing gets built. I’m no stranger to building housing. Through Beneficial State Bank, a mission-driven Community Development Financial Institution I co-founded with my wife Kat Taylor, I’ve financed over 17,000 affordable units.
I’ll break up utility monopolies to lower electricity bills by 25%. California’s three big private utilities have been raking in record profits, yet state regulators just approved another guaranteed return for investors. By building a performance-based, technology-driven model powered by clean energy, we can restore affordability, strengthen wildfire resilience, and cut rates.
The only way we’ll reduce health care costs, expand coverage and make Californians healthier is single-payer. California’s current system is unsustainable for working people and businesses. California can set an example for the country to follow.
If you’re happy with the status quo and the cost of living, then you have plenty of options. But if you want change, I’m the only one who’ll deliver it.
2. Do you support a bill before the Legislature that would kill the key provision of the 2012 pension reforms championed by Gov. Jerry Brown: the requirement that public employees must pay at least 50% of the “normal cost” of their pension benefits?
Pensions are lifelines for those who devote their lives to public service. I’ll protect working people and strengthen the pension system.
California is the richest state in the richest country in the world. There’s enough wealth here to take care of our people — if we have a governor willing to make corporations and billionaires (including me) pay their fair share. I’m the only candidate with a plan to do that.
3. Do you support the “billionaires tax” or any other specific proposed tax hikes? Why?
If the billionaires tax is on the ballot, I’ll vote for it. I’m the only leading candidate who’s said that.
For years, I’ve called for raising taxes on corporations and billionaires. California has a two-tiered tax system. While working people pay their fair share, billionaires and corporations — including Donald Trump — exploit loopholes to avoid paying billions annually — $243 billion since 2012.
When corporations don’t pay their fair share, cities and counties are forced to push taxes, impact fees, and service charges onto residents.
I’ll close these corporate loopholes, and raise $20 billion of new revenue each year to fund critical services and infrastructure without charging working people a penny.
4. Is there a specific issue that you feel does not get enough attention?
The fact that the wealthiest corporations are spending hundreds of millions to ensure that politicians preserve the status quo.
Special interests spent $891 million over the last two years on lobbying in Sacramento. Just last week, the utilities spent $10 million against me, joining Big Oil’s bankrolling of my opponents.
When the rich and powerful special interests show up, politicians back down. I never will.
I closed a corporate tax loophole to fund billions for public schools. I took on Big Oil’s pollution of our air and water. I expanded free school meals without raising taxes. I led a grassroots campaign to impeach Trump when party leaders were too slow.
For 15 years, I’ve won against corporate interests. And, as governor, I’ll make polluters pay and take on the oil companies ripping off Californians. That’s why they’re spending millions to elect anyone but me.
I’ll ban corporate PAC money. I don’t owe anyone anything. I’ll work for you.
Go to tomsteyer.com for more information about the candidate.