Issues

ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES
“I believe the first priority of local government is to ensure the personal safety of our citizens, their families and the communities in which they live – anywhere in our County.  To accomplish this, I worked to bring the right people together and form new coalitions with my colleagues to provide full and consistent funding to law enforcement.  This has allowed police, sheriffs and prosecutors the resources they need to do their jobs and keep dangerous criminals off our streets.  That’s why Ventura County remains one of the safest communities in America – but there is much more we can do.”

EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY BY REDUCING THE TAX BURDEN
“As much as anything else, I believe government is too big and taxes are too high.  That’s why I have been a leader for real fiscal accountability and a toughness and determination that is reflected on the taxpayers’ bottom line.  I have never voted – and will never vote for – any tax increase on the hardworking people of Ventura.  We need a tax system that is both fair to everybody and easier for all to understand, and this begins with a total commitment to reform.  Too often, politicians raise taxes as a first option, rather than a last resort.  As we move forward, I will lead the way in advancing reductions in the tax burden on job creators and entrepreneurs allowing them to save for the future, expand opportunity and invest in their businesses.”

REFORMING COUNTY GOVERNMENT
“People are unhappy and frustrated with their government – and they have a right to be!  For far too long, politicians have acted as though they don’t care what the people think, and this has only hurt their credibility.  As a lifelong businessman, I shared many of these frustrations and I ran for office because I wanted to do something about it.  That’s why I led the County’s first real effort to eliminate wasteful and redundant county boards and commissions – a savings of almost $100,000.  I also authored meaningful ethics reforms including campaign finance reform, introduced legislation to place term limits on Ventura County Supervisors and stricter rules on public officials and lobbyist relationships.  It’s time to return power to the people – where it belongs.”

PRESERVING OUR QUALITY OF LIFE – AND ENHANCING OUR WAY OF LIFE
“As long as I have lived in Ventura County, we’ve been plagued by dangerous roads and serious traffic accidents.  Almost immediately upon taking office, I formed for the first time a Highway 118 Safety Task Force that brought about a major increase in hours spent patrolling our roads and in  truck inspection.  This has resulted in a lot of unsafe trucks taken off the road and a more than 20 percent decrease in the number and severity of traffic accidents.  In addition, I created Ventura County’s first Boy Scout Graffiti Abatement Program and served as the Past President of the Ventura County Chapter of Boy Scouts of America to support those who are volunteering on behalf of others throughout our community.”