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There’s an old saying that a problem well-stated is a problem half-solved. In California this observation may have particular resonance because the Democrats who run Sacramento bitterly resist even acknowledging the Golden State’s problems—often because they have been so busy creating them. So it is refreshing indeed to encounter an elected Democrat who will at least reckon with the failures and entertain a discussion of solutions. San Jose’s mayor, Democrat Matt Mahan, is now a candidate for governor. He will stake out liberal positions and this column makes no guarantee that he will not be a big spender if elected. But what a healthy turn it would be for our
politics if a California governor was interested in something more than the expensive, performative partisanship that has characterized the tenure of current Gov. Gavin Newsom (D.). Mr. Mahan is making a pitch to lead all of California, not just his ideological tribe. His new campaign website strikes a tone that is anything but Newsomian: We can address our needs for improved health, housing and public education without asking our people to pay more in taxes. Instead, let’s require government to spend the
money they have now better before they ask us to pay more. California is one of the highest taxed states in the nation and independent analysts have clearly identified billions in fraud and waste. Let’s make government accountable to results, root out the fraud, and require state, county, and local governments to do better by working together before we ask hard-pressed taxpayers to pay even more in taxes… Let’s remember that a better future that lifts more Californians into the middle class starts with lifting up our public schools. Matt Mahan is a former school teacher who
understands the problem isn’t our kids – it is adults who won’t hold our kids, our schools, and our state to the highest academic standards.
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