Oakland – Meg Whitman says:
 
“…we must reform the way state government conducts business by demanding efficiency, accountability and transparency."
 
Or not. Meg Whitman claims to believe in accountability and transparency, but when she makes an illegal decision, she counts on her company to foot the bill, and does all she can to hide the truth. More than once companies Whitman worked for paid-off workers mistreated by Whitman, and then hid behind nondisclosure agreements.
 
“Whitman owes it to the voters to come clean about what happened in both cases, and be honest about what the settlements cost her employers,” said Brown Campaign Manager Steven Glazer.
 
Turns out, the day she chose to assault a staffer wasn’t the first time Whitman’s mistreatment of her staff cost her employer money – and it wasn’t the first time she tried to keep it secret either.
 
At the end of 1995, as President and CEO of FTD, Whitman fired her Vice President of Technology and Network services, David Carlson, a 55-year-old. He was replaced by a man nearly 20 years younger. Two months later, Carlson filed an age discrimination lawsuit against Whitman and FTD, and in the complaint, he detailed repeated instances of Whitman expressing the need for younger executives at FTD.
 
So how did it end? Whitman and FTD settled the lawsuit with Carlson for an undisclosed sum. When contacted by the Los Angeles Times, “Carlson declined to comment because of the confidentiality agreement he signed to settle the case.”
 
“Time and time again, Meg Whitman has refused to take responsibility for her actions, and refused to tell the truth,” said Glazer. “She certainly isn’t telling voters the truth now. Californians deserve a Governor who knows how to be honest, and is willing to be accountable.”
 
And of course, Whitman was famously sued by her own shareholders at eBay when she took more than 100 now-illegal IPO spinning deals from Goldman Sachs.
 
“Lawsuits, settlements and secrets follow Meg Whitman at every turn,” Glazer added. “What would a Whitman administration cost California?”

Oakland – Gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown today announced that he has accepted invitations to 10 debates or town halls around California, all sponsored by independent organizations interested in an open and honest campaign for Governor.

“We are only a few days into the general election campaign, and already our airwaves have been overrun with millions in misleading and deceptive attack ads,” Brown said. “The people of California deserve better. They deserve to see their choices for Governor stand side-by-side and honestly discuss the challenges facing our state.”

The morning after his victory in the Democratic primary, Brown proposed that he and Republican nominee Meg Whitman hold 10 joint town hall appearances around the state to discuss job creation, schools and the state’s budget mess and to answer questions from voters.

Whitman refused Brown’s invitation to those jointly-planned events, but public interest groups and news organizations from around the state have stepped forward to offer the people a chance to see their candidates in person.

“Partisan bickering and attack-dog politics have created an awful mess in Sacramento, and I think Meg and I now have an opportunity to change the tenor of politics in California by conducting a responsible campaign that shows the politicians that there is a better way to do business,” Brown said.

“Every one of these debates is hosted by a credible organization, guaranteeing a fair and open forum,” Brown continued. “There is no reason not to participate, no reason not to say what we really mean, and show the voters who we are.”

“I am calling on Meg Whitman to treat voters with the respect they deserve. It’s time to step out from behind consultant-scripted commercials full of falsehoods and distortions and debate.”

The two campaigns have received many formal requests for debates at locations around the state. Brown has agreed to ten, several others remain under active consideration. Brown accepted invitations for joint appearances from the following outlets, assuming reasonable terms that provide for open and fair discussion can be negotiated with the Republican nominee:

Faith Forum - July 31
CPR/KCRA/Univision/Sacramento Bee/UC Davis - September
CBS - TBA
KTVU/Chronicle/KQED - September 7
CalBuzz/Flash Report/Calitics/SJSU/Commonwealth Club - September 13
PPIC/CBA - October 5
Dominican University/NBC - October
La Opinion/KPCC - October
The Women’s Conference - October 26
ABC/League of Women Voters - TBA

Oakland – In response to the blatantly false and cynical attack ad released by Meg Whitman today, Brown campaign spokesman Sterling Clifford released the following statement:
 
More cynical negative attacks from a campaign that can't seem to tell the truth. Its politics as usual, backed by Wall Street billions. If Meg Whitman had ever bothered to vote, she might know that Jerry Brown cut taxes by billions of dollars, built up a surplus and created 1.9 million new jobs for Californians. If Whitman wants to discuss Jerry Brown's record, she should accept his invitation to 10 town halls and debate Jerry's accomplishments in person.
 
Whitman’s ad is 60 seconds of falsehoods – beginning with the claim the Brown was a big-spending governor. In fact, Brown decreased General Fund expenditures as a percentage of State Domestic Product more than any governor since economists began tracing SDP in 1963. Brown – well known for fiscal frugality – twice vetoed pay increases for state workers.
 
During Brown’s governorship, California provided nearly $16 billion in tax relief above and beyond the savings provided by the passage of proposition 13.
 
During Brown’s tenure as mayor of Oakland – consistent with Proposition 13 – more than two-thirds of the people of Oakland voted to raise additional revenue to put more police on the street, buy more text books and put more teachers in city classrooms. Brown presented budget choices to the city, and the citizens chose the services they wanted and were willing to fund.
 
The attack from Whitman also falsely claims that Brown’s actions led to a take-over of Oakland schools by the state. Multiple journalists have already proven her claims to be false. According to a KGO TV report, “OUSD admitted that Brown “played no part in the financial problems that led to the state takeover.”
 
Much as she did in the primary, Whitman believes that telling the same lies over and over will make them true. But the truth is, Meg Whitman didn’t vote for 28 years, left California for nearly a decade, and never lifted a finger to support the issues she trumpets now that she has decided to run for governor.

MOUNTAIN VIEW  – Calling it the “key to our economic future,” California Attorney General Jerry Brown today proposed an eight-point action plan for investment in renewable energy technology and the creation of more than half a million green jobs.
 
“Investments in clean energy produce two to three times as many jobs per dollar as gas, oil or coal.  And dollars invested in clean energy tend to stay in California, instead of going to other states or other countries,” Brown told several hundred technology executives at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group in Mountain View. “Clean energy jobs and businesses have grown much faster than the economy as a whole in the past fifteen years, and have continued to grow even during the economic downturn.”
 
California has the ability to produce at least 1.3 million megawatts of renewable energy – roughly 22 times our current electricity capacity. Brown’s plan sets a goal of 20,000 megawatts in renewable energy as well as key investments in innovative efficiency technology by 2020, which will create close to half a million jobs.
 
At one time California had more than 90% of the world’s wind energy capacity. Today, China is the global leader in renewable energy production, with both Texas and Iowa generating more wind energy than California.
 
“Over the next decade, the market for renewable energy will triple to more than $2 trillion," Brown said. "California must be at the forefront of this 21st Century economic engine. We led the way once, and I know how to put California first again."
Brown’s plan calls for:

- Building 12,000 megawatts of Localized Electricity Generation
- Building 8,000 Megawatts of Large Scale Renewables and Necessary     Transmission Lines
- Dealing with Peak Energy Needs and Develop energy Storage
- A Timeline to Make New Homes and Commercial Buildings Zero Net Energy
- Making Existing Buildings More Efficient
- Adopting Stronger Appliance Efficiency Standards
- Developing More Cogeneration Projects to increase combined heat and power     production by 6,500 megawatts
- The Appointment of a Renewable Energy Jobs Czar

 
“It can take six to eight years to get a transmission line built,” Brown said. “The permitting time for these projects should be dramatically reduced, and in no case be longer than three years.”
 
“Probably the most significant reason people don’t make their homes more efficient is the high up-front costs of major efficiency upgrades, even though they save money in the long run.” Brown told the audience in Silicon Valley. “The State and utilities have to help local governments, businesses, homeowners finance the costs of efficiency upgrades.”
 
“The transition to clean energy is vital not only to our environment, but to our economic future as well,” Brown said. “The next Governor has to be focused and totally committed to capturing the innovation and the growth that will come with clean energy. I will designate one person, directly accountable to the governor, who will be responsible for ensuring that all energy job goals and deadlines are met.”

Click here to download a PDF of the plan or continue reading below.

Clean Energy Jobs Plan

When I was governor, California was the world leader in renewable energy and it led the nation in efficiency standards.  Our programs saved California consumers billions and created nearly 1.5 million jobs. 

Until the early 1990’s, nearly all renewable energy development in the US occurred in California, which at one time had more than 90% of the world’s wind energy capacity. 

That has changed-- China is now the world’s top renewable energy producer, and Texas and Iowa generate more wind power than California.  

As we face the devastation to our job market caused by the mortgage meltdown and the Wall Street debacle, we need to find a way to get California working again.  Investing in clean energy and increasing efficiency are central elements of rebuilding our economy.  It will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, build the businesses of the 21st century, increase energy independence, and protect public health.

Renewable Energy:

Investments in clean energy produce two to three times as many jobs per dollar as gas, oil or coal.  And dollars invested in clean energy tend to stay in California, instead of other states or countries. Renewable energy also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollutants.

Clean energy jobs and businesses have grown much faster than the economy as a whole in the past fifteen years, and have continued to grow even during the economic downturn. 

Investment in clean technology is also growing.  Clean tech investment in California reached $3.3 billion in 2008 alone and it is on track to exceed that in 2010.  California attracts 60% of the clean-tech venture capital in the entire U.S, but with the right policies and incentives, California could attract even more investment and create far more jobs in the coming years.  Over the next decade, the global clean energy market is expected to nearly triple to nearly $2 trillion annually in 2020. 

 
Efficiency:

Energy efficiency is the cheapest, fastest, and most reliable way to create jobs, save consumers money and cut pollution from the power sector.  It is by far cheaper than the cheapest source of energy and has no negative impact on the environment. 

California has led the nation in efficiency standards and programs.  When I was Governor, California adopted the first appliance and building efficiency standards in the U.S.  As a result of these policies, California's per capita use has remained virtually flat even while the state's economy grew by 80%.  During that same time period, the United States' per capita electricity consumption has increased 50%.  These standards have saved California more than $56 billion in electricity and natural gas costs since 1978, equivalent to more than $1,000 per household. Savings from energy efficiency also have a multiplier effect that creates far more jobs than comparable investments in fossil fuels or other energy sources.

California’s efficiency standards and programs have triggered innovation and creativity in the market—today’s appliances are not only more efficient, but they are cheaper and more versatile than ever.  Consider refrigerators, the biggest energy user in our homes. Since California adopted efficiency standards in 1978, refrigerators now use one-fourth the energy, are larger and have more convenient features than models 30 years ago, and are about 1/2 the price.  The same story can be told for dishwashers, heaters, air conditioning units and other major appliances.

California Jobs Program through Renewable Energy and Efficiency

Throughout our history, California has led the nation in innovation, whether it was the entertainment industry, biotech, green tech or computers.  To get California working again, we need to re-focus our efforts on attracting and retaining these innovative industries. 

One such industry is clean energy.  We need to lead again.  California has tremendous potential in renewable energy.  Peak electricity demand in California today is 65,000 megawatts (MW), and California has the ability to produce at least 1.3 million MW of renewable energy—concentrating solar, wind, solar photovoltaic (PV), small hydro, geothermal, and biomass—roughly twenty two times our current electricity capacity.
Below is my plan to get us there.  It will produce a half a million new jobs in the next decade.

Summary: By 2020, California should produce 20,000 new megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity, and also accelerate the development of energy storage capacity.  California can do this by aggressively developing renewables at all levels: small, onsite residential and business systems; intermediate-sized energy systems close to existing consumer loads and transmission lines; and large scale wind, solar and geothermal energy systems. At the same time, California should take bold steps to increase energy efficiency. 

Specific Elements:

1.    Build 12,000 Megawatts of Localized Electricity Generation

• California should develop 12,000 megawatts of localized energy by 2020.  Localized energy is onsite or small energy systems located close to where energy is consumed that can be constructed quickly (without new transmission lines) and typically without any environmental impact.

• Solar systems of up to 2 megawatts should be installed on the roofs of warehouses, parking lot structures, schools, and other commercial buildings throughout the state. 

• Solar energy projects up to 20 megawatts in size should be built on public and private property throughout the state.  For example, we should create the California Solar Highway by placing solar panels along the banks of state highways.

• The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) or Legislature should implement a system of carefully calibrated renewable power payments (commonly called feed in tariffs) for distributed generation projects up to 20 megawatts in size. Holding down overall rates must be part of the design.

2.    Build 8,000 Megawatts of Large Scale Renewables & Necessary Transmission Lines

• The Legislature should codify a requirement that 33% of the state’s electricity be derived from renewable sources.  This will create market certainty and drive investment in renewable technologies..

• The California Energy Commission (CEC) should prepare a renewable energy plan by July 1, 2011, that will expedite permitting of the highest priority generation and transmission projects. 

• Federal and state agencies should carry out one integrated environmental review.

• The CEC should ‘fast-track’ projects based on their anticipated ability to deliver clean energy to market.  The permitting time for these projects--which now can take 6 to 8 years--should be dramatically reduced, and in no case be longer than three years.

• As Governor, I will ensure that all agencies involved work together with a sense of urgency to permit the new transmission lines without delay.

3.    Deal with Peak Energy Needs and Develop Energy Storage

• The reliability of our energy system depends on the ability to meet peak power demand.  California funds many “peaker” natural gas plants that run for just a few hours a year, usually on hot summer afternoons.  These plants pollute more and are less efficient than other power plants.  We also import out of state coal and pay very high prices on the spot market to satisfy peak demand.  Energy storage will help reduce the need for peaker plants and imports of out of state coal.

• Renewable power is often intermittent.  Neither wind nor solar energy is available 24 hours a day.  As a result, renewable energy can be difficult to integrate into the base load of the overall energy delivery system.  Energy storage helps smooth out this variability and makes it less costly to integrate renewables into the grid.

• The California Public Utilities Commission and the state’s municipal utilities should adopt policies and incentives that promote the development of energy storage.

• As Attorney General, I have sponsored legislation that would direct the PUC to establish policies that will encourage the building of energy storage systems.  If utilities procure storage equivalent to 5% of their peak load demand, approximately 8,500 permanent new jobs would be created.

4.    Create New Efficiency Standards for New Buildings

• A typical home uses much more energy than it needs to operate economically.  New buildings can be designed today to use 1/3 to 1/2 less energy than they use today, with little or no cost increase.

• We should establish a plan and a timeline to make new homes and commercial buildings in California “zero net energy”—highly efficient structures that use onsite renewable energy for all their electricity and natural gas needs.

5.    Make Existing Buildings More Efficient

• Half of all California’s homes were built before California’s building standards were adopted.  Energy consumption in these homes can be reduced by 40% if the CPUC and municipal utilities provide incentives for retrofits and efficiency upgrades. 

• Probably the most significant reason people do not make their homes or businesses more efficient is the high up-front costs of major efficiency upgrades, even though they save money in the long run.   To overcome this barrier, the State, local governments, and utilities should make available programs whereby businesses and homeowners could take out loans and pay back the costs of efficiency upgrades (and renewable energy projects) through savings on their property tax or utility bills.

• Another reason that people do not invest in efficiency upgrades is that they lack information about the energy use and energy costs of their homes and businesses.  Disclosing information about energy performance can be a powerful motivator to improve efficiency. State law requires that, starting in 2011, commercial owners have to disclose energy use to potential buyers. This same program should be extended so that homebuyers receive information about a home’s energy use before purchasing it.

6.    Adopt Stronger Appliance Efficiency Standards

• The CEC should adopt stronger appliance standards for lighting, consumer electronics and other products.  Federal law should be changed to make it easier for California to adopt standards more stringent than federal standards, as we have authority to do for automobile emission standards.  For example, a proposed CEC efficiency rule for clothes washers would save enough water for all of San Diego for a year. 

• We should also increase public education and enforcement efforts so that the gains promised by our efficiency standards are in fact realized.

7.    Develop More Combined Heat & Power (CHP) Projects

• Combined heat and power projects (also known as cogeneration) use the excess heat or electricity generated by power plants or industrial facilities. They are much more efficient than traditional power plants and many industrial plants.  California currently produces 9,249 MW of combined heat and power.  With the right incentives, we can increase this by 6,500 MW over the next 20 years.

8.    Appoint a Renewable Energy Jobs Czar

• I will designate one person, directly accountable to the governor, who will be responsible for ensuring that all energy jobs goals and deadlines are met.

LOS ANGELES – Gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown proposed today that he and Republican nominee Meg Whitman hold 10 joint town hall appearances around the state to discuss job creation, schools and the state’s budget mess and to answer questions from voters.

"Partisan bickering and attack-dog politics have created an awful mess in Sacramento, and I think Meg and I now have an opportunity to change the tenor of politics in California by conducting a responsible campaign that shows the politicians that there is a better way to do business,” Brown told a news conference.

“I’m inviting Meg Whitman to join with me to run a campaign that will put the focus on town halls where each of us in an unscripted manner will discuss our positions and answer questions,” Brown said.

"Let’s tell people how we’ll manage their tax dollars, how we’ll hold down taxes, how we’ll make government work better and more efficiently, how we’ll fix our schools and how we’ll create jobs,” he added.

Brown suggested that he and Whitman have at least 10 joint town halls and said the first should begin within several weeks.

“We should hold them throughout the state, perhaps starting in San Diego or San Jose, and then hold sessions in Fresno, Anaheim, Oakland, Sacramento, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Francisco,” he said.  “I think we should have a variety of formats.  Some of the town halls could have a panel of reporters asking questions.  Others might have local teachers.  Some could have regular voters asking Meg and me whatever questions are on their minds.”

Brown said the series of town halls will give the voters a “full picture” of the two candidates for governor and make TV advertising less important.

“If I never see another political ad in my life, I’ll be happy,” he added. “And I’ll bet that most people feel the same way. The town halls will show the voters that we can act as adults and actually treat each other with respect. Meg and I may not agree on many issues, but we can at least tell the truth and explain how we would approach the job of governor.”

Brown said that the town hall meetings will allow voters to “see and hear” how the candidates intend to deal with California’s budget deficit and unemployment problem.
“We need to change the way of thinking in Sacramento and get the politicians to stop their constant partisan attacks. The politicians in Sacramento need to find some common ground, and that will be much easier if candidates conduct responsible, issue-oriented campaigns.”

I have lived in California all my life, as did my parents. And like them, I have devoted a large part of my life to public service. I care deeply about California. I know its history and its governing structure.

I served as governor from 1975 to 1983. On my watch, we built up a huge surplus by holding spending down. Taxes were reduced by $4 billion. We became the world leader in wind and renewable energy. And we created 1.9 million new jobs – a higher rate of job growth than the country as a whole.

I am running for governor because I know how to get California working again. Many of the challenges are different today, but the way forward is the same: frugality, honesty and innovation.

First, with 2 million Californians out of work, the next governor must put out the welcome mat for jobs. As a mayor, I learned first-hand how to break down regulatory barriers that deter investment and new jobs, and I will do the same as governor. For example, China and Texas have replaced us as leaders in alternative energy. I will change that and put California again in the forefront.

Second, I promise a budget that is transparent and honest. There will be no tax increases unless the people themselves approve and vote for them. I will take hold of the budget – within days of the election – and engage each of the legislators in a deliberative and thorough process. I will level with the people and set forth a budget that employs no gimmicks – no phony cuts that never materialize and no illusory revenues that never arrive.

Third, we need to change the way we govern this state. For example, we must – whenever possible – shift authority away from Sacramento and instead give local governments and school boards the ability to control their own affairs. This is the way it used to be, but in recent years Sacramento has taken on more and more power. I will fight to give schools, cities and counties the discretion they need to solve problems locally and closest to those affected.

This state can be governed. California can once again have terrific schools, safe cities and an efficient government. We can be the leader in green jobs, high tech and medical advances. But let’s be clear. None of this will be easy. It has taken us several years to get into this mess and it’s going to take several years to set things straight.

The next governor must have the preparation and know-how to get the job done. That is what I offer.

Brown is California’s attorney general and a Democratic candidate for governor.

Now we know that one candidate for California governor is serious about making tax returns public:

Democrat Jerry Brown.

Only Brown met our noon deadline Wednesday to commit to posting 10 years of full state and federal returns online May 5. In a page one editorial last week, we had challenged candidates to make that pledge in writing. They'd be sure to keep their word, we reasoned, and if they all posted at the same time, it would get around the problem of nobody wanting to go first. It seemed simple and fair.

Republicans Meg Whitman and the all-but-irrelevant Steve Poizner continue to say they want to be open — but they do nothing.

Whitman is particularly disingenuous. She challenged Brown to release all of his returns since he left the governor's office — 27 years' worth — and said that after he complied, she'd release 25 years of her own returns. (Leading one to wonder what might lurk in her years 26 and 27.) She's also waffled between releasing full returns and summaries.

Tax returns are important in this race because of the tens of millions of dollars being spent to mold public images, particularly by Whitman, who's shattering campaign spending records. Tax filings help to show who candidates are, how they accumulated wealth and how charitable they've been.

Late Wednesday, Whitman's camp said if Brown released all 27 years on May 5, she'd release her 25 years of full returns. It's turned into a game, and voters are losing. Why not just start with 10 years? The candidates can release more later; we hope they do. But there's precedent for 10 years, and it's a good faith show of openness.

By agreeing, Whitman could show that she's sincere about her intent to disclose personal financial information.

We already know that Jerry Brown is.

Souce: San Jose Mercury News

Oakland (April 21) –   Attorney General Jerry Brown announced today that he has accepted a newspaper’s challenge and agreed to release his tax returns for the past 10 years.
 
“Shortly after being elected governor in 1974, I did something no governor had done before – I released my tax returns”, Brown wrote in a letter to the editor of the San Jose Mercury-News.  “I have always believed this is important, and today – after revelations of Wall Street manipulation and crimes and an economic meltdown caused by greed and deception – it’s even more important.”
 
The Mercury-News had asked Brown and the two leading Republican candidates for governor, Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner, to make 10 years of federal and state tax returns public.
 
“If candidates pledge in writing, their word will be on the line, and we believe they'll live up to it,” the newspaper wrote.  “If anyone refuses, then the others will be off the hook — but neither we nor voters will forget who refused.” 
 
Brown said Californians are suffering from record unemployment and one of the worst economic meltdowns in history. The Attorney General said it would be an “absolute shame” and show “enormous disrespect for voters” if Whitman and Poizner refuse to release their tax returns.
 
“Voters want to compare where the candidates’ money comes from – and how closely they are tied to financiers and big banks that caused so much of our current trouble,” he told the Mercury-News.   “Release of tax returns could provide information.”
 
“If they have nothing to hide, I assume they will go ahead and agree to the Mercury-News’ very legitimate request,” he added.   “Their refusal would indicate that there’s something they want to hide from the public.”

LOS ANGELES – In response to Republican Meg Whitman’s rejection of a proposal for three bipartisan pre-primary debates, Attorney General Jerry Brown issued the following statement:
 
“Private corporations sometimes hide behind slick advertising campaigns, but it’s wrong for a serious political candidate to do the same.  I urge Meg Whitman to reconsider.  Surely, if she believes she is good enough to be governor of California she must also consider herself competent enough to appear with her opponents.  A candidate for public office should not act like a used car salesperson who relies on misleading TV ads.  Public service is a higher calling, one that demands integrity, openness and honesty.  I encourage Meg Whitman to join with Steve Poizner and me in three joint appearances.  If she honestly believes what she says in her radio and TV ads, she should welcome the opportunity to answer questions, explain herself and then ask me whatever she’d like.  Our state is in serious trouble, and we need political candidates and public officials who are willing to face the voters, explain their ideas and give honest answers.”

LOS ANGELES – Calling for “immediate action” to fight California’s continuing unemployment problem, Attorney General Jerry Brown today proposed a series of three-way, bipartisan gubernatorial debates to begin within three weeks.
 
   Brown, the presumptive Democratic nominee for governor, sent letters to Republican gubernatorial candidates Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner urging them to agree to three debates around the state – California’s first bipartisan debates prior to a primary election.
 
   “With record unemployment, the budget crisis and challenges to our system of education, California urgently needs specific answers to our problems,” Brown told the state Democratic Convention at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles.
 
 Brown explained that Democratic and Republican candidates have never debated each other before a primary election, but he said this year “is very different.”
 
   “Our continuing unemployment and growing state budget crisis are threatening our schools, university and the very future of our state,” he said.  “We cannot delay debating solutions. The need is immediate, and millions and millions of dollars in an orgy of spending for TV commercials is not a substitute for an honest and open discussion.  We need immediate action to get Californians back to work, and these debates will be a good first step.”
 
 Brown, who explained that 1.9 million private-sector jobs were created during his time as governor, said he favors plans to streamline regulations so business activity can be accelerated.
 
   “I also want to see decisions pushed down from Sacramento to the local level, particularly in the area of education.  Local school boards, not Sacramento, should be making the key decisions.”
 
The attorney general and former governor said California’s economic crisis – part of a “national economic meltdown” – can be traced to Wall Street bankers, stock manipulators and “crooked real estate lenders.”
 
 “Hundreds of thousands of Californians who can’t find jobs know who brought this economic calamity down on us, and they want to know which of the three candidates for governor – Democrat or Republican - will best lead us back from the brink and help create jobs,” he said.
 
Brown said in the letters to Poizner and Whitman that he believes the three-way debates should be held in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, the three greatest population centers in the state.
 
He said he believes interest in the unique event would be such that each debate would likely be carried live on TV throughout the state and should be held in prime time to ensure as many voters as possible can see the candidates in action.
 
      “I’d like to see real debates with direct interaction between the three candidates, but I think the exact format is less important than having an honest, open dialogue,” he added.
 
     “The voters are sick and tired of slick, phony, pre-packaged 30 and 60-second TV and radio commercials that say nothing of substance and offer only superficial solutions. Let’s instead give voters the facts and tell them how we plan to approach the goal of getting Californians back to work.”