1998 California General Election
Candidate Statements
Controller
Candidate Photo Al Burgess
American Independent
845 N. La Cadena Dr.
Colton, CA 92324
I am frustrated with the waste and inefficiency in our state government. As a business owner for 30 years, I know a successful business must be productive, efficient, operate within a budget and make the best use of its resources. The running of a state government is like a business. Responsible decisions must be made, and someone must be accountable for those decisions. Spending must be efficient and within budget. Employees must be productive. There is too much waste in our state government, both in spending and manpower and too little accountability. If efficiently run, our state could operate with a smaller government and budget. As controller, I will insure that our tax dollars are spent as we have voted to have them spent. I will see that those working with me are productive and will eliminate any unnecessary positions. If you want a smaller, more efficient, accountable state government that uses your tax dollars as you have chosen, vote for Al Burgess as state controller.
Candidate Photo Ruben Barrales
Republican
1116 Foothill Street
Redwood City, CA 94061
(650) 366-2312
As State Controller, I will be the "people's auditor" and hold government accountable. As an elected official, I fought to implement the first county debt limit in California, balanced a $700 million budget six years in a row, successfully opposed both a utility and a business license tax, and helped reform a $1.4 billion pension and investment fund. We now have the highest bond rating in California--with greater financial safety and return. As Controller, I'll put a pro-taxpayer majority on the Franchise Tax Board and Board of Equalization. I'll audit the Department of Education to ensure tax dollars are spent in classrooms, not bureaucracy. I formed one of California's first charter public schools--implementing tougher standards, more accountability, smaller class size and a longer school year. I'll be a partner with law enforcement. After a city in my county was named the "murder capital" of America, I worked with others to put more police on the streets. The murder rate dropped from 42 in 1992 to 1 in 1996--overall violent crime decreased by 80%. As Controller, I won't take money from investment bankers with business before the state's pension funds. I will represent you--not special interests.
E-Mail:
Web Site:
ruben@barrales.org
www.barrales.org
Candidate Photo C.T. Weber
Peace and Freedom
9616 Caminito Tizona
San Diego, CA 92126-4103
(619) 530-0454
I received my Master's in Public Administration from California State University--Long Beach. I have been working as an analyst for 15 years with the State of California, auditing the financial records and investigating the operations of transportation companies. An activist for justice and human dignity in California State Employees Association, local 1000, SEIU, I was elected president and chief steward on the local levels before being elected four times to the State Board of Directors. I belong to the ACLU, Common Cause, NAACP, NOW, Sierra Club, and am director of VOTER'S which promotes Proportional Representation. I am married to Tatiana. If elected to serve: I would not sign the checks of our elected officials until a budget is passed; I would attempt working with the Legislature to lower your taxes by shifting them back to the corporations and super rich; I would vote, on the PERS Board, to invest with companies with strong commitments to the environment and their workers; I would work to improve morale among our state employees by letting them do the work they were hired to do, and reduce stress by managing my budget to hire enough permanent staff to get the jobs completed on time.
Candidate Photo Kathleen Connell
Democratic
1640 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 216
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 477-7707
Californians deserve a government that works better and costs less. That's why I ran for Controller in 1994 after a 20-year career in business, education and finance. As Controller, I've conducted tough audits and uncovered more than $1.2 billion in waste --money now available for better schools, improved health care and rebuilding California's infrastructure. I cracked down on fraud in Medi-Cal to improve health care, exposed waste in state prisons, and streamlined the state lottery to put more money in the classroom. I also cut bureaucracy in my own office by 13%, saving another $16 million. I've helped get our economy moving again by cutting nuisance taxes on small businesses, getting tax refunds to taxpayers in record time, and developing high-technology job training programs at community colleges. I've used my private-sector financial expertise to help California's $220 billion pension funds earn record profits for retirees. And I've fought to improve health care services for HMO patients--including guaranteed access to state-of-the-art treatment for breast cancer victims. Now, with your support, I'll continue working to bring strict performance audits to all of state government, cutting more waste and investing the savings in California's people and their future.
E-Mail:
Web Site:
campaign@kathleenconnell.org
www.kathleenconnell.org
Candidate Photo Denise L. Jackson
Reform
P.O. Box 45871
Los Angeles, CA 90045-0871
(714) 871-4526
The United States was built on the concept of citizen government . We are drifting away from this concept. Politicians argue about taxes, government programs, spending and waste. Citizens have no visibility of the flow of money through government. A 'voter financial statement' giving an overview of California's finances, as well as each department's finances, provides all an opportunity to learn the truth. The Controller must produce coherent financial statements that the average person understands. While maintaining strong fiscal controls and internal audits, the Controller's office must not impose the accountant's language on the voters. Citizens need basic knowledge of the sources and use of California State funds to effectively participate in their government. I am a systems analyst with 25 years experience in business and financial systems. As State Controller, I will work to create a 'voter financial statement' written in plain English . It will include a big picture statement of all California State government revenue sources and spending. I will insist that all financial statements are produced on time and are available in every public library and on Internet . Let's work together to make government responsible to its citizens. Reform in government will come when citizens vote for reform.
E-Mail: mpmp92a@prodigy.com
Candidate Photo Pamela J. Pescosolido
Libertarian
Visalia, CA
(209) 592-5179
The Controller is the watchdog of all taxpayers' money in California. As a self-employed business owner as well as the bookkeeper for 20 citrus ranches, I am well-qualified to audit state agencies and fight fraud, waste and mismanagement. In fact, I am a bureaucrat's worst nightmare. I will not issue checks for any functions that violate the state or federal constitution. I was trained as an attorney and am very familiar with the legal rights of taxpayers. As a member of the Board of Equalization, I will be the taxpayer's friend, giving the taxpayer the benefit of the doubt in tax disputes with state government. I oppose the issuing of government bonds for any purpose, as this financing method almost doubles the cost of any government project and forces debt on our children and grandchildren. I will work to cut the size and scope of state government. My goal is to repeal the state income tax and sales tax. Only Libertarians believe you have the right to keep the money you earn. Most government services can be better provided by private companies and free-market competition. The Libertarian alternative is the only alternative to politics as usual. Please join us.
Candidate Photo Iris Adam
Natural Law
4965 Paseo Dali
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 509-7555
I am Manager of the Department of Economics at the University of California, Irvine. My vision is for prevention-oriented government, conflict-free politics and proven solutions to America's economic problems by cutting taxes deeply and responsibly while simultaneously balancing the budget through cost-effective solutions to America's problems, rather than by cutting essential services. Extensive scientific research and decades of experience in the public and private sectors show that technologies that harness natural law--nature's intelligence--can solve the critical problems and improve the quality of life for everyone in society.
Web Site: www.natural-law.org/
The order of the candidates was determined by random alphabet drawing. Statements on this page were supplied by the candidates and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. Submission of statements was voluntary. Candidates who did not submit statements could otherwise be qualified to appear on the ballot.