Candidate Promise Tracker
Tracking Candidate's Campaign Promises & Goals
Environment Information
"I believe we must continue to protect our coastline, our air and water." Governor Davis said on the March 2002 primary election night. Later in the campaign, Davis touted his record on the environment in an August 2002 TV ad. "To me, no issue is more fundamental than the fight to protect our coastline, our air and water," he said.
So what has happened since?
In January, Governor Davis approved $3 million in grants to counties and cities for coastal protection projects. In May, he announced $11 million in bond funds to go to the California Coastal Conservancy for state coastal protection and park improvements. And in August, he approved $53 million in grants to 'protect access to the beach, open spaces and coastal properties.'
As part of his January budget proposal, Davis proposed cuts to environmental programs. To off-set some of these cuts, he proposed that polluters pay increased and new fees. In March, he signed a "polluter pays" bill increasing water and air fees to polluters, while reducing funding to certain environmental programs.
After months of negotiations, the state Legislature agreed on a 'compromise budget' with deeper cuts to environmental programs than Davis proposed in his May revision. Davis signed the 2003-2004 on August 2, 2003. The Legislative Analysts Office said there are a number of 'polluter pays' fee increases to off-set some of the cuts, including water, air and pesticide fees. These still need to be passed by the Legislature before they go into effect.
In September, Davis signed the first-in-the-nation "e-waste" bill, creating recycling programs for old computers and electronics. He also signed a number of bills aiming to reduce air pollution and protect the coast. There are more environmental bills awaiting Davis' signature. Stay tuned for more legislation updates.
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Promise
"In spite of a national recession, our economy has grown from the 7th largest to the 5th largest in the world."
"But there's more to do - on our schools, our environment, our economy, and on energy."
Highlights
Since he was re-elected, Governor Davis has…
- Announced an estimated $35 billion budget deficit in December, and a $38 billion deficit in May.
- Said in his State of the State Address that his 'most immediate priority' is jobs.
- Tripled the vehicle license fee in June.
- Signed a 'compromise budget' on Aug. 2nd
- Appointed President Clinton's budget chief to lead the effort to fix the budget.
- Signed legislation reforming the state's workers' comp system.
For a more in-depth look at this issue, click here.
Promise
"I will do everything humanly possible not to cut one penny from public safety. If we can increase it, we will."
Highlights
Since he was re-elected, Governor Davis has…
- Proposed an overall increase in prison funding in his budget plans.
- Vetoed an early-release prison bill.
- Proposed to preserve funding for local law enforcement programs in his May budget plan.
- Signed a 'compromise budget' with some cuts to prisons and local law enforcement programs.
- Signed gun safety legislation in September.
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Promise
"My fellow Californians, together we've increased education funding by 30% -- and student achievements scores are up three years in a row. But there's so much more to do."
Highlights
Since he was re-elected, Governor Davis has…
- Proposed significant cuts to education in his January budget plan.
- Approved nearly $2.6 billion in mid-year (2002-2003) cuts to education.
- Reduced proposed January cuts and protected class-size reduction and accountability programs in his new May budget plan.
- Signed a 'compromise budget' with cuts to education similar to those proposed in his May budget plan.
- Announced in September $1.7 billion in bonds to upgrade overcrowded schools.
For a more in-depth look at this issue, click here.
Promise
"I believe we must continue protecting our coastline, our air, water."
Highlights
Since he was re-elected, Governor Davis has…
- Signed a "polluter pays" bill increasing fees for air and water polluters.
- Announced funding for coastal conservation and parkland improvement.
- Proposed some reductions to environmental programs in his budget plans.
- Signed a 'compromise budget' with additional cuts to environmental programs.
- Signed coastal protection and air pollution bills.
- Signed the electronic waste recycling bill.
For a more in-depth look at this issue, click here.
Promise
“I won’t be completely satisfied until every child in the state of California has access to quality, affordable health care.”
Highlights
Since he was re-elected, Governor Davis has…
- Proposed to protect children's health care coverage in both budget plans.
- Requested federal aid to insure more children statewide.
- Approved cuts to the Healthy Families outreach program.
- Proposed and approved cuts to Medi-Cal programs.
- Signed a 'compromise budget': children's health care coverage was protected and proposed cuts to Medi-Cal were reduced.
- Signed a landmark bill (SB2) that will require many businesses to provide health insurance to their employers.
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Promise
"...No governor ever spent as much money as we spent this year in real dollars, accounting for inflation, on transportation improvements. We will continue to do that for the next two to three years."
Highlights
Since he was re-elected, Governor Davis has…
- Said in his State of the State Address that he "will direct his agencies to accelerate freeway and public transit projects by one year."
- Proposed an estimated $1.5 billion in cuts to transportation.
- Signed a 'compromise budget' with cuts to transportation.
