What is the most pressing issue in...

What is the most pressing issue in the state? In Newport-Mesa?

Our most pressing issue is jobs. The liberals in Sacramento seem

obsessed with driving jobs and businesses out of state. We need to

put out the “Welcome” sign, and the way to do that is to streamline

oppressive regulations, cut taxes and reform workers’ comp.

What is the best solution to the state’s budget crisis?

We must cut spending. Over the Gray Davis years we did not have a

problem with revenue, revenue increased over 20%. The problem is

spending spiraled out of control, at twice the rate of income growth.

Spending must be ratcheted back to match income. Additionally,

departments should be required to explain expenditures instead of

automatically continuing programs from previous budgets.

Assuming the Legislature stays in Democratic hands, how will you

work with the majority party?

I am going to Sacramento to be a tough, fiscally conservative

Republican voice. Voters aren’t looking for business-as-usual,

they’re looking for change. The Democrats have been fiscally

irresponsible and, while I respect the need to cooperate in the

interests of good order, I have no intention of buying into their

tax-and-spend nonsense. I’m going there to change the system, not to

become a part of it.

What makes you the best person for the job?

You can’t go to Sacramento to find your principles, you’ve got to

have your own. I know what I believe and where I stand. As a

rock-solid fiscal conservative, I have an agenda that I intend to

push -- lower taxes, overhauling our broken workers’ comp system and

making our schools work again.

What one thing would you hope to accomplish while in office?

I hope to bring real change to the worker’s compensation system --

California has the highest rates in the country and some of the

lowest payouts for workers. The system doesn’t work for those who are

injured and the costs are driving jobs out of California, hurting

everybody. I will work to bring costs down and jobs back to our

state.