Candidate Promise Tracker
Tracking Candidate's Campaign Promises & Goals
Health Care Information
During the 2002 Gubernatorial campaign, Governor Davis said expanding the state's Healthy Families insurance program was a top priority. And, during the debate between Governor Davis and GOP challenger Bill Simon, he said he would like "to have every child in this state covered with insurance."
So what has happened since?
In both his January and May budget plans, Governor Davis proposed to protect children's health insurance coverage, including funding for the State's Healthy Families program. In April, he also requested additional federal funding for Healthy Families.
In May Davis did approve some cuts to the Healthy Families outreach program and Medi-Cal. He also proposed significant cuts to Medi-Cal in both budget plans, proposing to eliminate some services, cut provider rates by 15%, and create stricter eligibility requirements. Some health care advocacy organizations said that if approved the cuts to Medi-Cal would indirectly affect children's health coverage.
After months of budget negotiations, the State Legislature adopted a budget plan in July. As proposed, funding for children's health coverage was protected. The Legislature also rejected and modified some of Davis' proposed cuts to Medi-Cal, including reducing Medi-Cal provider rates by 5% (instead of 15%), and rejecting many of Davis' proposals to cut services. On August 2nd Davis signed the budget.
On October 5th, Davis signed a landmark bill that will require many state businesses to provide health insurance to their employees. Another bill, which would provide easier and faster Medi-Cal enrollment for eligible infants and pregnant women is awaiting the governor's signature. Stay tuned for 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.
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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.
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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.
For a more in-depth look at this issue, click here.
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.
