Vote David Hadley for Balance in Sacramento, Protection of Proposition 13
and a Voice for South Bay Taxpayers
NOTE: This email is the third in a series of "Closing Arguments." Please click
here to read "There You Go Again" and click
here to read "South Bay Democrats, Republicans and Independents Unite Behind David Hadley."
The Super-Majority
In November 2012, the Democratic Party achieved one-party control of California state government. They held every state-wide office from Governor to Insurance Commissioner, and they also gained 2/3 "super-majorities" in both chambers of the state legislature.
A 2/3 super-majority carries significant powers under California's constitution. With a 2/3 vote in each chamber, the legislature can raise taxes without a ballot measure. They can weaken or repeal the taxpayer protections of Proposition 13. They can override a veto by the Governor. They can put constitutional measures on the ballot.
Many Californians believe that the state can only raise your taxes by asking you for approval at the ballot box. With a 2/3 super-majority, this important taxpayer protection can go by the boards.
My election to the Assembly in November 2014 was significant not just for the South Bay. It was also significant state-wide, because I helped break the 2/3 super-majority. Our South Bay movement has already achieved one important goal: returning important decision-making to the voters of California.
Al Muratsuchi and Proposition 13
When Al Muratsuchi was running for the Assembly in 2012, he told voters - and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association - that he would protect Proposition 13. However, once elected, he came under intense pressure from the Democratic leadership to take advantage of their once-in-75-years super-majority and vote to weaken Proposition 13.
It didn't take long for Muratsuchi to cave. On June 15, 2013, he voted for Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8. ACA 8 was the first bill to weaken Proposition 13 that passed a chamber of the legislature since Prop. 13 had been enacted by the voters in 1978, and Muratsuchi provided the essential
54
th vote.
Fortunately for taxpayers, ACA 8 was not passed by the State Senate. Why not? Because three Democratic State Senators were indicted (and have since been convicted) for felonies. The Democrats were never able to muster a 2/3 presence in the Senate. And my election in 2014 helped deprive the majority party of their super-majority.
The contrast on this important issue is crystal clear. I have voted to protect taxpayers and Proposition 13, I received a grade of "A" from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and they have endorsed me. Muratsuchi received a grade of "F" from them for his votes in the Assembly. The president of HJTA has produced commercials telling South Bay voters that Muratsuchi lied to him in 2012.
Muratsuchi and Taxes
Al Muratsuchi has tried to tell South Bay voters that he has never voted to raise your taxes. Let's look at the facts:
- When he was on the Torrance School Board, he supported a resolution to weaken Proposition 13 (SCA 6, 2009).
- In 2012 he publicly supported Proposition 30 to hike sales and income taxes.
- In 2013 he voted for ACA 8 in the Assembly to weaken Proposition 13 (see above).
- In 2014 he voted to take your taxpayer dollars via "cap-and-trade" and spend them on high speed rail. This was a "continuous appropriation," so this one vote will continue to waste your money on high-speed rail for years to come unless we can assemble a legislative coalition to rescind it.
- In 2016 he has endorsed LA County Measure M, a 0.5% permanent sales tax increase. Supervisor Don Knabe, the South Bay Cities Council of Governments and I have all opposed Measure M because it shortchanges South Bay taxpayers and commuters.
Al Muratsuchi is no friend of taxpayers.
David Hadley and Balance
I am a proud Republican. But I know that the Democratic Party has gained dominance in California politics in part because for too many voters, my party has failed to offer real solutions to some of California's challenges: protecting our environment; reducing income inequality; assisting the most vulnerable among us; reforming how political campaigns are financed; and providing dignity to all Californians, from the LGBT community to the terminally ill.
In my short time in political life, I have successfully brought some much-needed balance to Sacramento. I have done that in part with my 2014 election, breaking the 2/3 super-majority. But I have also done it with my behavior in office - saying "No" to the majority when I thought they were on the wrong track for California, but being willing to say "Yes" and work together where I have seen common ground.
My wife Suzanne reminds me that nobody agrees with me all the time. I am sure that is true of every reader of this email. But whether you are a Republican, a Democrat or something else, most voters want more political competition in California. I have successfully brought that competition and that balance to Sacramento, and I have protected taxpayers and Proposition 13 along the way. I would be grateful for your support between now and November 8.
