Does the Lt. Governor Matter? You Bet! Meet John Garamendi!

Written by: John Garamendi on Jul 19, 2006 4:53 PM EDT

Hello,

I'm John Garamendi, you know me best as your Insurance Commissioner and now I'm the Democratic Party's nominee for Lieutenant Governor.

You may wonder why Im running for Lieutenant Governor and why this office is important to you; let me explain.

The Lieutenant Governor's office has the "second loudest sound system in the state," making it an ideal platform to call attention to and seek solutions for the important issues that face every Californian. Unfortunately, this office has been underutilized in recent years.

I believe its time we use the Lieutenant Governors office as a forceful advocate for you, for our children, seniors and hardworking families.

Thats been my approach as your Insurance Commissioner -- protecting consumers, punishing fraud and corporate greed, and delivering results: Over $1 billion in insurance rebates - $22 billion in auto insurance savings -$24 million in additional homeowner benefits to fire victims - $46 million in insurance company fines.

As your Lieutenant Governor I will be the same powerful advocate for you: working to fully fund our schools, helping small businesses thrive in the world marketplace, fighting to provide every Californian access to high quality healthcare that values people over profits and protecting womens rights.


As your Lieutenant Governor, my priorities will include:

1. Fighting for Increased Access to High Quality and Affordable Health Care -- one of my top priorities will be to turn our health care system into one that values people over profits, recognizing that healthcare is a right for all, not a just for the privileged few. I will work everyday toward reaching the goal of ensuring every Californian has access to affordable high quality healthcare.

In the early 1990s, I wrote and sponsored the first universal healthcare bill to ever pass the California Legislature. Unfortunately, Pete Wilson vetoed it. My plan received positive acclaim from the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, and ultimately became the blueprint for President Clintons health care reform.

2. Fighting to Promote Excellence in our Education System -- I will work to ensure every level of education is properly funded, advocating for students, parents and teachers. I will use my position as a University of California Regent and California State University Trustee to promote academic excellence and to increase opportunity in our educational system. I will focus on expanding access to higher education by proposing a five-year moratorium on increases to higher-education fees and tuition, while seeking to increase the availability of financial aid and grants. I will become the guardian of higher education and strive to renew the California promise of access for all to higher education.

3. Fighting to Make California a Leader in Job Creation -- Ill work to create an atmosphere in California where innovation and manufacturing are valued and small businesses thrive. I will build on my longstanding commitment to expand research to promote new scientific and technologic innovation, increase manufacturing jobs and spark the creation of high wage jobs. In addition, I will focus on supporting our economy through ensuring the availability of training for new high-skill careers.


4. Fighting to Protect Our Resources, Improve the Environment -- We have no greater gift to leave our children and their children than this beautiful place called California. As your Lieutenant Governor Ill take the same approach I used when I was President Clinton's Deputy Interior Secretary -- protecting Californias magnificent coast, parks, and natural resources. In this office I will sit on the State Lands Commission where I will address climate change by promoting conservation and alternative fuels. Ill oppose oil drilling off our coasts and excessive oil company profits. Ill fight to stop corporate polluters.

I will propose policies and incentives to reduce green house gases and to address detrimental environmental changes. I will seek to implement policies to encourage businesses and individuals to employ sound environmental practices, including using renewable energy and promoting transportation and infrastructure systems that reduce our dependence on carbon fuels. Ill work with the Governor and Legislature to accomplish these goals. When I was in the Assembly, I wrote Californias first laws to provide solar, wind and energy conservation tax credits, and to provide funds for communities to return toxic polluted land to productive use.

5. And of course, I will continue to work to protect Californians from the greed and corruption of the insurance companies and big corporations.

As Lieutenant Governor I'll have the independence Sacramento desperately needs to solve our problems and fight for you. While Sacramento always seems to serve the powerful special interests and their narrow agendas, Ill be dealing with the challenges that matter most to you and every California family.

Californias teachers, police, firefighters, Senator Feinstein and former Vice-President Al Gore share my vision and respect my independence and have endorsed my candidacy.

You have my record as Insurance Commissioner, State Senator, all-star lineman at Cal Berkeley, Harvard MBA graduate, Peace Corps volunteer, husband and father.

Thank you in advance for being part of my incredible team. Together we will get California moving in a positive direction.

Sincerely,

John Garamendi

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Location: Sacramento, CA 95812