FACT: Steve Poizner is the only candidate running to cut taxes and is a strong supporter of Prop. 13.

Steve Poizner strongly supports Prop. 13 and will defend Prop. 13 as Governor. Steve Poizner is the only candidate running on a platform to cut taxes for every individual and business in the state.

Recently, Meg Whitman began running yet another false television attack ad in an attempt to deceive voters on this subject. Click here to read our fact-check response on PoiznerFacts.com.

Look no further than KPBS’ “The Legacy of Prop. 13,” which aired less than six weeks ago. Host Joanne Faryon states, “… [A]lthough his Republican rival, Meg Whitman, ran these ads, she too refused to tell KPBS whether she would support Prop. 13 today. Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner told KPBS he supports Prop. 13 and would be an ardent protector of the proposition if elected.”

At a recent event in Orange County, voters asked Steve about his position for Proposition 13. A local blog noted Steve’s clear answer:

“Let me just be clear on Prop 13. I believe in Prop. 13 down to my bones. I’ll fight to the death for Prop 13. I believe Prop. 13 is critical to provide homeowners that predictability they need. And those two-thirds voting requirements in Prop. 13? Essential. We can’t make those voting requirements change.”

Steve Poizner is the only candidate for Governor who supports across-the-board tax cuts to stimulate the California economy. Meg Whitman does not support across-the-board tax cuts.

FACT: Steve Poizner has a long history of taking a tough stance on illegal immigration.
Since the start of his campaign Steve Poizner has taken a “hard line” on illegal immigration, as documented by the San Francisco Chronicle in February 2009. While Steve Poizner recognizes the strong benefits of legal immigration to California and all of its contributions to the state’s rich and vibrant culture, the uncontrolled flow of illegal immigration must end. Steve is the only candidate offering a bold approach to the issue of ending illegal immigration.

Steve’s position on immigration has been the same since his run for State Assembly in 2004. During a debate, Republican candidate Steve Poizner, running in a liberal district in the Bay Area, explained his tough position on illegal immigration and the need to cut benefits for people residing unlawfully in this country (click to play video).

In 2006, he continued his tough stance against illegal immigration and made his opposition to driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants part of his platform as the Republican candidate for California Insurance Commissioner. Steve won that election as one of only two Republicans elected to statewide office in California in 2006.

Unlike his primary opponent, Steve has always been very engaged in public service. Recently, Steve took his third trip to the U.S.-Mexico border. The first visit was as a White House Fellow in 2002, when he worked in the Bush Administration as the Director of Critical Infrastructure Protection in the National Security Council. In the summer of 2009, he visited the Calexico border crossing to examine the issues firsthand.

Steve opposes amnesty and is proposing the passage of a measure to stop taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants, similar to legislation passed in 10 other states. Steve is the only candidate to stand with the people of Arizona and supports the Arizona immigration law.

"Meg Whitman spent over $70 million dollars and a year and a half saying thousands of times that you can’t ‘boil the ocean’ by focusing on issues other than jobs, spending, and education. Well, it only took a couple of spots and plunging poll numbers for Meg to start ‘boiling the ocean’ and abandon her ’spine of steel.’ I guess Meg remodeled the three pillars of her campaign or just got rid of them altogether.  In her new 60-second TV spot, Meg Whitman waves the white flag and surrenders.  Now she’s working hard to defeat Barbara Boxer?  How so?  Meg Whitman has lost control of the race and this scared reading of the teleprompter is the best evidence of that.  The Whitman campaign will be studied for a long time as a cautionary tale in hubris."

Whitman Claims She Strongly Opposes Barbara Boxer; IN REALITY, Whitman Endorsed And Campaigned For Boxer In Her Last Election:

MEG-A-TALE: Whitman Claims She Strongly Opposes Sen. Barbara Boxer. WHITMAN: "I strongly oppose Barbara Boxer and am working hard to defeat her." (Meg Whitman For Governor 2010, "Tough Business," 5/14/10)

REALITY CHECK: During The 2004 Elections, Whitman Endorsed And Contributed To Boxer’s Re-Election Campaign. "Meg Whitman, the 2010 GOP gubernatorial candidate already on the defensive for her embarrassingly poor voting record, once endorsed and actively supported Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, one of the most proudly liberal politicians in California." (Carla Marinucci, "Whitman Supported GOP Nemesis Boxer In ‘04," San Francisco Chronicle, 10/3/09)

• In Addition To Contributing The Maximum $4,000, Whitman Served On An "Exclusive Committee Of Technology Leaders" In Favor Of Boxer’s Campaign. "Whitman not only endorsed Boxer and donated the maximum $4,000 to the junior California senator’s 2004 re-election campaign, but the former eBay CEO also served on an exclusive committee of Technology Leaders for Boxer in her re-election battle against Republican California Secretary of State Bill Jones, according to election records obtained by The Chronicle." (Carla Marinucci, "Whitman Supported GOP Nemesis Boxer In ‘04," San Francisco Chronicle,10/3/09)

• Click Here To View The Press Release

REALITY CHECK: In An Open Letter Soliciting Support From Technology Leaders, Whitman Called Boxer A "Courageous Leader." "’Barbara Boxer is a courageous leader and friend of California’s technology industry,’ extolled the former eBay executive in a Friends of Boxer release issued in April 30, 2003. Her name was part of an open letter signed by various technology leaders." (Sandra Gonzales, "Whitman Called Democrat Boxer ‘Courageous Leader’ In 2004," The [San Jose] Mercury News, 10/3/09)

• Click Here To View The Letter

Whitman Claims She Will Be Tough On Immigration; IN REALITY, Whitman Supports Amnesty And Has Opposed The Arizona Law:

MEG-A-TALE: Whitman Claimed That She Is "Absolutely" Against Amnesty And Will Send The National Guard To The Border. WHITMAN: "On immigration, I will secure our border and I will send in the National Guard if necessary. I say no driver’s licenses, no sanctuary cities, and absolutely no amnesty. Period." (Meg Whitman For Governor 2010, "Tough Business," 5/14/10)

REALITY CHECK: Whitman: "Can We Get A Fair Program Where People Stand At The Back Of The Line, They Pay A Fine, They Do Some Things That Would Ultimately Allow A Path To Legalization?" "The candidate, 53, said the solution is to find a mechanism that allows them to live here legally. ‘Can we get a fair program where people stand at the back of the line, they pay a fine, they do some things that would ultimately allow a path to legalization?’ she asked." (Sandra Dibble, "Path To Legalization  Needed, GOP Candidate Whitman Says," The San Diego Union-Tribune, 10/29/09)

• Whitman Told KCAL In Los Angeles That She Supports An Immigration Reform Plan That Makes Illegal Immigrants Stand At The Back Of The Line And Pay A Fine. WHITMAN: "Nationwide there may be as many as 12 and a half million people who have come to this country illegally. And my view is that we have to – we simply cannot deport 12 and a half million people to their home country, it’s simply not practical. So what is the next best solution? In my view, the next best solution is can we get a fair program where people stand at the back of the line, they pay a fine." (KCAL’s "News," 10/28/09)

REALITY CHECK: Meg Whitman Has Criticized Steve Poizner’s Plan To Send The National Guard To The Border, Claiming That The Move May Not Be "Helpful." WHITMAN: "There’s been a lot of chatter, would you send the National Guard to the border, would you – I think Steve said I’ll send the Orange County Republicans to the border. Okay, the fact is, if we secure our border but Arizona does not, not helpful. Not helpful." (Meg Whitman, Interview At California Republican Convention, Santa Clara, CA, 3/12/10)

REALITY CHECK: Whitman Opposes The Arizona Law. "Whitman, in contrast, said she would oppose the Arizona law if an identical version came to her as governor." (Kevin Yamamura and Jack Chang, "Poizner, Whitman Clash Over Conservative Credentials In Final Debate," Sacramento Bee, 5/3/10)

Whitman Claims Steve Poizner Made A Mess; IN REALITY, Poizner Enacted Significant Budget Cuts:

MEG-A-TALE: Whitman Claims Steve Poizner Made A "Mess" In Sacramento. WHITMAN: "I’m running for governor to clean up the mess they made."

REALITY CHECK: Poizner Has Made Significant Budget Cuts At The Department Of Insurance. "Excluding parts of his budget predetermined by state law, Poizner has made significant cuts in his budget from the year he took office to the current year." (Amy Chance and Jack Chang, " Ad Watch: Whitman Misrepresents Poizner’s Department Spending Record," Sacramento Bee, 3/20/10)

Whitman Claims She Led EBay With "Conservative" Economic Principles; IN REALITY, Whitman Raised Fees On EBay Sellers Multiple Times:

MEG-A-TALE: Whitman Claims She Led EBay With "Conservative" Economic Principles. WHITMAN: "At eBay, I was successful because I led with conservative economic principles."

REALITY CHECK: Whitman Repeatedly Raised Fees On EBay Sellers, Which Proved To Be Unsustainable. "’For a long period of time, eBay generated revenue growth by raising fees on sellers,’ said Scot Wingo, the founder of Channel Advisor, which helps small businesses sell on the Internet. ‘Now everyone is starting to realize that was unsustainable.’" (Brad Stone, "Former Chief Of EBay Tries A New Bid," The New York Times, 2/22/09)

• Whitman’s Fee Increases "Raised The Ire Of Thousands Of Its Small Business Sellers." "Prices aren’t the only thing eBay (EBAY) raised when it announced changes to some online-auction services last month. It raised the ire of thousands of its small-business sellers, many of whom are threatening to ditch eBay when the price increases go into effect Feb. 18." (Jon Swartz, "Some EBay Sellers Are Going, Going, Gone," USA Today, 2/1/05)

• Whitman’s Fee Increases Hurt Small Business Owners That Used The Site. "Penny by penny, item by item, sellers say, those fees make it less profitable to do business as a store, where individual sellers offer many goods at fixed prices rather than put them up for auction. ‘I’m considering closing the store altogether,’ said Mark Erskine of Georgetown, who runs a vintage collectibles store on eBay with his wife Shelly. ‘I’ve taken 200 things off-line in the past two weeks because of this.’ For eBay buyers, the result could be higher prices as sellers attempt to pass on rising costs." (Eric Ruth, "New EBay Fees Leave Store Owners Seeing Red," The [Wilmington, DE] News Journal, 8/17/06)

“Meg Whitman’s campaign is imploding due to her support for Barbara Boxer, her support for Pete Wilson’s $112 billion in tax increases, and her outlawed deals with Goldman Sachs. Meg Whitman has no solutions for California and nothing new to say other than to rehash her same lies about Steve Poizner.”

In This Section:

• FACT: Poizner Is A Strong Supporter Of Proposition 13
• FACT: WHITMAN HYPOCRISY – Many Prominent Whitman Endorsers Strongly Backed Proposition 39 – Will She Attack Them, Force Them To Drop Their Endorsement, Or Return Their Contribution?
• FACT: MORE WHITMAN HYPOCRISY – Whitman Didn’t Even Vote In 2000
• FACT: Media Has Called Whitman’s Attack On Poizner’s Spending Record A Lie
• FACT: Poizner Has Made Significant Budget Cuts At The Department Of Insurance
• FACT: Whitman Supports Former Gov. Pete Wilson’s Tax Increases, Which Have Cost California Taxpayers At Least $112 Billion

FACT: Poizner Is A Strong Supporter Of Proposition 13:

Poizner Is A Strong Supporter Of Proposition 13. “Republican Gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner told KPBS he supports Prop 13 and would be an ardent protector of the proposition if elected.” (KPBS’s “The  Legacy Of Prop. 13,” www.kpbs.org, 3/28/10)

• NOTE: When Asked, Whitman Couldn’t Even Offer Support For Proposition. “And although his Republican rival Meg Whitman, ran these ads, she too refused to tell KPBS whether she would support Prop 13 today.” (KPBS’s “The  Legacy Of Prop. 13,” www.kpbs.org, 3/28/10)

FACT: WHITMAN HYPOCRISY – Many Prominent Whitman Endorsers Strongly Backed Proposition 39 – Will She Attack Them, Force Them To Drop Their Endorsement, Or Return Their Contribution?

Former Gov. Pete Wilson Was A Prominent Endorser Of Proposition 39. “PROPOSITION 39: Voters narrowly approved a constitutional amendment that would make it easier for school districts to win voter approval of bond measures by changing the needed vote from the current two-thirds to 55 percent. Backers include Democratic Gov. Gray Davis, former Republican Gov. Pete Wilson, school groups and Silicon Valley venture capitalists. Placed on ballot by petition signatures.” (“California Propositions At-A-Glance,” The Associated Press, 11/8/00)

• NOTE: Wilson Was An Honorary Chairman Of The Proposition 39 Campaign.

Former Mayor Richard Riordan Supported Proposition 39, Contributing $99,990.50. (California Secretary Of State Website, cal-access.ss.ca.gov, Accessed 12/14/09)

Robert Kagle Of Benchmark Capital, Who Has Contributed $25,900 To Whitman’s Campaign And Appeared In Whitman’s TV Ad, Contributed $109,222.50 To Proposition 39. (California Secretary Of State Website, cal-access.ss.ca.gov, Accessed 12/14/09)

Cisco Systems’ John Chambers Backed Proposition 39. “Technology’s strong presence on the pro-39 campaign is the latest sign of Silicon Valley’s increasing efforts to try to shape education policy in the state. Besides Hastings, its chairs also include venture capitalist John Doerr of Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers and Cisco Systems President John Chambers. Doerr and his wife, Ann, have lent at least $6 million to the Proposition 39 campaign, according to campaign records. Chambers has donated $250,000, along with another $250,000 from Cisco.” (Lori Olszewski, “Some Prop. 39 Backers Have Deep Pockets,” San Francisco Chronicle, 10/23/00)

• Chambers Contributed $520,000 To Proposition 39. (California Secretary Of State Website, cal-access.ss.ca.gov, Accessed 3/1/10)

Sun Microsystems CEO Scott McNealy, Who Has Contributed $25,900 To Whitman’s Campaign, Contributed $125,000 To Proposition 39. (California Secretary Of State Website, cal-access.ss.ca.gov, Accessed 12/14/09)

• McNealy’s Wife, Susan, Who Has Contributed $25,900 To Whitman’s Campaign, Also Contributed $125,000 To Proposition 39. (California Secretary Of State Website, cal-access.ss.ca.gov, Accessed 12/14/09)

First Virtual Group Chairman Thomas Siebel, Who Has Contributed $25,900 To Whitman’s Campaign, Contributed $500,000 To Proposition 39. (California Secretary Of State Website, cal-access.ss.ca.gov, Accessed 12/14/09)

James Breyer Of Accel Partners, Who Has Contributed $25,900 To Whitman’s Campaign, Contributed $115,613 To Proposition 39. (California Secretary Of State Website, cal-access.ss.ca.gov, Accessed 12/14/09)

FACT: MORE WHITMAN HYPOCRISY – Whitman Didn’t Even Vote In 2000:

Whitman Was Featured In A 2000 Business Week Article On The “Disturbing Number Of Top Executives” Who Do Not Vote. “A disturbing number of top executives, however, had worse-than-spotty records. No registration could be found for a small group of execs such as AT&T’s Mike Armstrong, eBay’s Meg Whitman, and Yahoo!’s Tim Koogle.” (Lorraine Woellert, “Do CEOs Vote? Not Always — And Not Often,” Business Week, 11/6/00)

Whitman’s Hypocrisy And Desperation Evident By Attacking Poizner On An Issue She Was “Totally Clueless And Couldn’t Be Bothered” To Even Engage Or Vote On The Issue At The Time. “It’s one thing to whack a foe when you have an honest disagreement with them on an issue; it’s quite another to totally cheap shot a rival for making a principled stand, when you were completely clueless and couldn’t be bothered, to get engaged on the policy issue at hand.” (Jerry Roberts And Phil Trounstine, “Friday Fishwrap: Crusty’s Secret Eyebrow Makeover,” CalBuzz, 3/5/10)

Whitman Was “Too Damn Busy And Oh-So-Important To Even Vote On It.” “And where was Whitman on the matter? Courageously staking out the position against that she now purports to defend? No, while her Silicon Valley colleagues were taking a stand on behalf of school kids and parents, eMeg was just too damn busy and oh-so-important to even vote on it -  no, more, to even register to be eligible to vote on it, that’s where.” (Jerry Roberts And Phil Trounstine, “Friday Fishwrap: Crusty’s Secret Eyebrow Makeover,” CalBuzz, 3/5/10)

FACT:  Whitman Has No Idea What She Is Talking About – Media Has Called Whitman’s Attack On Poizner’s Spending Record A Lie:

Sacramento Bee: “Whitman Misrepresents Poizner’s Department Spending Record.” “Whitman’s campaign uses statistics selectively to arrive at its 14 percent number and lie about Poizner’s record. … There are two problems with Whitman’s math. She uses the wrong years for a fair comparison, and she includes spending over which Poizner had no control. … She includes all department spending, including a large chunk of money Poizner is required by law to collect and send to local district attorneys to fight insurance fraud. … Excluding parts of his budget predetermined by state law, Poizner has made significant cuts in his budget from the year he took office to the current year.” (Amy Chance And Jack Chang, ” Ad Watch: Whitman Misrepresents Poizner’s Department Spending Record,” Sacramento Bee, 3/20/10)

FACT: Poizner Has Made Significant Budget Cuts At The Department Of Insurance. “Excluding parts of his budget predetermined by state law, Poizner has made significant cuts in his budget from the year he took office to the current year.” (Amy Chance And Jack Chang, ” Ad Watch: Whitman Misrepresents Poizner’s Department Spending Record,” Sacramento Bee, 3/20/10)

Poizner Reduced CDI’s State Operations Budget By $19.3 Million, From $135.9 Million To $116.6 Million. In January 2009, CDI’s state operations budget was $135.9 million. Since then, Commissioner Poizner has reduced the state operations budget by nearly 15 percent, or $19.3 million, to $116.6 million. (California Department Of Insurance, “Department Of Insurance Blog” Blog, www.insurance.ca.gov, 11/16/09)

• NOTE: The Commissioner Only Has Direct Control Over CDI’s State Operations Budget.

The $19.3 Million In Cuts Were Made After A Thorough Top Down Review, The First Ever Completed By An Insurance Commissioner. The $19.3 million in cuts made by Commissioner Poizner were made after a thorough top down review of the department initiated by the Commissioner after taking office and completed late last year. This was the first top down review ever completed by an Insurance Commissioner. (California Department Of Insurance, “Department Of Insurance Blog” Blog, www.insurance.ca.gov, 11/16/09)

• NOTE: In Previous Statements, The Whitman Campaign Cited The Governor’s Proposed Budget For CDI In January 2009, And Failed To Account For Only That Portion Of CDI’s Budget Over Which The Commissioner Has Direct Authority.

Poizner Reduced CDI’s State Operations Budget, Which He Has Direct Authority Over, By Nearly 15 Percent.

Poizner Has No Discretion Over Pass-Thru Funds, Which Go To Local Law Enforcement To Help Combat Insurance Fraud.

Poizner Has No Discretion Over Mandated Spending At CDI For Purposes Such As Rent, The State Data Center, Information Technology Support, The Conservation And Liquidation Office, Etc.

BOTTOM LINE: Poizner Reduced The Portion Of CDI’s Budget Over Which He Has Direct Authority By Nearly 15 Percent.

FACT: Whitman Supports Former Gov. Pete Wilson’s Tax Increases, Which Have Cost California Taxpayers At Least $112 Billion:

Whitman Has Described Wilson As The Greatest California Governor In Memory, Claiming That His Tax Increases Made Sense At The Time. “At the same time, Whitman praised former Republican Gov. Pete Wilson for his role in the 1990s budget crisis. She said the tax hikes imposed by Wilson — whom she described as the greatest California governor in memory — made sense at the time, even if they would be inappropriate now.” (Michael Finnegan, “Whitman Unveils Her Stands,” Los Angeles Times, 2/11/09)

Gov. Wilson’s Tax Hikes Included A 1.25% Increase In The Sales Tax. “Wilson later said the package, which included a 1.25 percent sales tax increase, was a mistake.” (Judy Lin, “GOP Toes Party Line  On Taxes,” Sacramento Bee, 12/30/07)

NOTE: Since 1991, Gov. Pete Wilson’s Sales Tax Hikes Have Cost Californians Over $112 Billion In 2009 Dollars.

*The .25% sales tax imposed under Cal. Rev. and Tax Code 6051.3 was not in effect for the 2001 tax year.

* Fourth quarter 2008 taxable sales estimated based on third quarter taxable sales.

* 2009 taxable sales estimated based on 2008 estimates and Legislative Analyst’s Office projections.

Sources:

(Board Of Equalization Website, www.boe.ca.gov, Accessed 12/15/09)

(Board Of Equalization Website, www.boe.ca.gov, Accessed 12/15/09)

(Board Of Equalization Website, www.boe.ca.gov, Accessed 12/15/09)

(Board Of Equalization Website, www.boe.ca.gov, Accessed 1/6/10)

(Board Of Equalization Website, www.boe.ca.gov, Accessed 1/6/10)

(Board Of Equalization Website, www.boe.ca.gov, Accessed 1/6/10)

(“California’s Fiscal Outlook,” Legislative Analyst’s Office, 11/09)

(Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.bls.gov, Accessed 1/6/10)

(Board Of Equalization Website, www.boe.ca.gov, Accessed 1/6/10)

FACT: Team Poizner has provided access to Red County

MYTH #1: *Access: put simply, we couldn’t get any. We’ve begged Poizner’s staff for months now to communicate with us.(Chip Hanlon, “Poizner’s Sleazy Tactics (And Why ‘York’ No Longer Writes For Red County),” Red County Blog, 12/9/09)

FACT: Steve Poizner was interviewed by Red County Blogger Matt Cunningham on August 25, 2009. After the interview was conducted, Matt Cunningham and Red County never posted it on their website.

FACT: Matt Cunningham interviewed gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman in October. After the interview was conducted, Cunningham posted the interview in three parts on Red County’s website. You can read them here, here, and here.

FACT: Poizner’s communications staff communicated with Red County on multiple occasions. You can view e-mail correspondence showing the campaign reaching out to Chip Hanlon below:

FACT: Screen shots taken by the Poizner Campaign show that Red County’s Chip Hanlon and Matt Cunningham have been on the Poizner campaign’s distribution list for months. As the screen shots show, Chip and Matt never opened the emails from the campaign.

View e-mails sent to Matt Cunningham.

]]> http://poiznerfacts.com/2010/03/pro-whitman-bloggers-attack-poizner-campaign/feed/ 0 http://poiznerfacts.com/2009/08/megs-smear-campaign/ http://poiznerfacts.com/2009/08/megs-smear-campaign/#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:45:33 +0000 admin http://poiznerfacts.com/?p=29 FACT: Meg Whitman and her campaign are willing to say and do anything to avoid open debate.

FACT: Whitman’s press secretary Sarah Pompei wanted anonymity while attempting to circulate an attack video against Steve Poizner.

FACT: Meg Whitman and her campaign prefer to take the low road instead of open debates in front of California voters and media.

Ducking Debates Raises Serious Questions About Whitman’s Qualifications To Be Governor:

Whitman’s Refusal To Debate Is “Beginning To Raise Questions.” “Meg Whitman’s refusal to debate in the early months of her campaign for governor is beginning to raise questions about whether it’s part of a long-term strategy to limit her exposure and carefully control the image she wants to project.” (Steven Harmon, “Whitman’s Refusal To Debate Raises Questions,” Contra Costa Times, 8/23/09)

FlashReport’s Jon Fleischman Said “It’s Not Enough To Be Invited Into A Staged Environment And Into A Comfort Zone.” Fleischman: “It’s not enough to be invited into a staged environment and into a comfort zone. … I think there’s a great deal of desire to see her engaged in an unscripted environment to help people get a sense of her beyond her resume and stump speech. It would be my hope that Whitman would appear in more debates, especially given the fact that she’s new to politics and largely undefined.” (Steven Harmon, “Whitman’s Refusal To Debate Raises Questions,” Contra Costa Times, 8/23/09)

]]> http://poiznerfacts.com/2009/08/megs-smear-campaign/feed/ 0 http://poiznerfacts.com/2009/08/steve-has-cut-spending/ http://poiznerfacts.com/2009/08/steve-has-cut-spending/#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:37:00 +0000 admin http://poiznerfacts.com/?p=21 MYTH: Commissioner Poizner has not reduced spending at the California Department of Insurance (CDI).

FACT: Commissioner Poizner has cut the state operations budget at CDI – the budget that he has direct authority over – by nearly 15 percent.

• Commissioner Poizner Reduced CDI’s State Operations Budget By $19.3 Million, From $135.9 Million To $116.6 Million.
  In January 2009, CDI’s state operations budget was $135.9 million. Since then, Commissioner Poizner has reduced the state operations budget by nearly 15 percent, or $19.3 million, to $116.6 million. (California Department Of Insurance, “Department Of Insurance Blog” Blog, www.insurance.ca.gov, 11/16/09)

• NOTE: The Commissioner Only Has Direct Control Over CDI’s State Operations Budget.

• • The $19.3 Million In Cuts Were Made After A Thorough Top Down Review, The First Ever Completed By An Insurance Commissioner. The $19.3 million in cuts made by Commissioner Poizner were made after a thorough top down review of the department initiated by the Commissioner after taking office and completed late last year. This was the first top down review ever completed by an Insurance Commissioner. (California Department Of Insurance, “Department Of Insurance Blog” Blog, www.insurance.ca.gov, 11/16/09)

• NOTE: The Whitman Campaign Cited The Governor’s Proposed Budget For CDI In January 2009, And Failed To Account For Only That Portion Of CDI’s Budget Over Which The Commissioner Has Direct Authority.

• Commissioner Poizner Reduced CDI’s State Operations Budget, Which He Has Direct Authority Over, By Nearly 15 Percent.

• • Commissioner Poizner Has No Discretion Over Pass-Thru Funds, Which Go To Local Law Enforcement To Help Combat Insurance Fraud.

• • Commissioner Poizner Has No Discretion Over Mandated Spending At CDI For Purposes Such As Rent, The State Data Center, Information Technology Support, The Conservation And Liquidation Office, Etc.

BOTTOM LINE: Commissioner Poizner reduced the portion of CDI’s budget over which he has direct authority by nearly 15 percent.

MYTH: Commissioner Poizner has not reduced the number of employees at CDI.

FACT: Commissioner Poizner has reduced CDI’s size by nearly 200 employees.

• When Commissioner Poizner Took Office, CDI Had 1,338 Authorized Positions; CDI Currently Has 1,146 Employees.
  When Commissioner Poizner took office, CDI had 1,338 authorized positions – a number that had increased in the years before he took office. Today, CDI has 1,146 employees and Commissioner Poizner has instituted severe hiring restrictions on the Department. Over the next year, the number of employees at CDI is expected to continue to decline as employees retire or leave the department. (California Department Of Insurance, “Department Of Insurance Blog” Blog, www.insurance.ca.gov, 11/16/09)

• Commissioner Poizner Has Reduced 192 Positions From CDI.
  From CDI’s size upon Commissioner Poizner inauguration to today, he has eliminated 192 positions at CDI. (California Department Of Insurance, “Department Of Insurance Blog” Blog, www.insurance.ca.gov, 11/16/09)

MYTH: Consumers have not saved on their insurance rates under Commissioner Poizner’s tenure.

FACT: During Commissioner Poizner’s tenure, consumers have saved almost $2 billion in lower insurance rates.

• Consumers Have Saved Almost $2 Billion In Their Auto And Homeowners Insurance Rates.
  Auto insurance rates have fallen by $1.15 billion and homeowners insurance rates have decreased by $661 million. The remainder of the $1.98 billion overall reduction are in other types of insurance. (California Department Of Insurance, “Department Of Insurance Blog” Blog, www.insurance.ca.gov, 11/16/09)

• Upon Taking Office, Commissioner Poizner Had To Update And Fix Previous Auto Insurance Regulations Left By His Predecessor.
  When Commissioner Poizner took office, the previous Insurance Commissioner left him with auto insurance rate regulations that needed substantial revision to be workable and effective. Commissioner Poizner revised and overhauled these regulations to ensure they would work before they were formally promulgated. (California Department Of Insurance, “Department Of Insurance Blog” Blog, www.insurance.ca.gov, 11/16/09)

FACT: Steve Poizner absolutely opposes raising taxes by one dime. Poizner is actually the only candidate running for governor that advocates cutting taxes for Californians.

Click To Hear In Steve’s Own Words About How He Opposes Tax Increases.

Poizner Has Been A Strong Anti-Tax Leader:

Poizner: “I absolutely oppose raising taxes by one dime. In fact, I am the only candidate running really that is actively advocating cutting taxes across the board.” (KTKZ’s “Capitol Hour With Eric Hogue,” 8/24/09)

The Fiscally Conservative Contra Costa Taxpayers Association “Loved Poizner’s Largely Anti-Tax Stump Speech.” “Contra Costa County continues to attract would-be gubernatorial candidates with a lunchtime speech this afternoon by Republican and state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. He was the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association. Predictably, this fiscally conservative audience of about 150 people loved Poizner’s largely anti-tax stump speech.” (Lisa Vorderbrueggen, “Poizner Appeals To Contra Costa Taxpayers Group,” Contra Costa Times’ “Political Blotter” Blog, www.ibabuzz.com, 4/15/09)

Poizner Led The Fight Against Proposition 1A, Which Would Have Increased Taxes On Californians By $16 Billion. “Over the next two months, I will be speaking out against the cynical and misleading 1A. I hope you will join me. Vote NO on higher taxes. Vote NO on Proposition 1A.” (Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, Op-Ed, “The $16 Billion Tax Trick: We Need To Stop The Legislature From Trying To Fool Voters – Again,” FlashReport Blog, www.flashreport.org, 3/23/09)

Poizner Opposed Proposition 1A, Which He Called A “Cynical Trick” To “Fool Voters” To Approve Higher Taxes. “Worst of all, Proposition 1A is a cynical trick: it seeks to fool the voters into approving a two-year extension of higher car, income and sales taxes that will cost the average California family over $1,000 and total an estimated $16 billion. The Legislature’s leadership specifically wrote a slanted ballot description so that there is no mention of the tax increase. The legislators stacked the deck in the hopes of fooling the voters.” (Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, Letter To California Republican Party, 3/24/09)

• NOTE: Proposition 1A Would Have Increased The Car Tax, Sales Tax, Income Tax, And Reduced Tax Credits Benefiting Working Families. “Passage of Proposition 1A means that the near-doubling of the car tax, the 1 cent statewide sales tax increase, the income tax hike and the reduction in the dependent tax credit would continue for an additional two years. That adds up to an estimated $16 billion in higher taxes.” (Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, Op-Ed, “The $16 Billion Tax Trick: We Need To Stop The Legislature From Trying To Fool Voters – Again,” FlashReport Blog, www.flashreport.org, 3/23/09)

Poizner Opposed Giving The State Government “Another Dime – Not One More Dime.” “Poizner also expressed opposition to tax increases proposed in a May 19 special election as part of last year’s budget settlement. ‘Don’t give state government another dime – not one more dime,’ he said. ‘Because there’s been no effort at all to right-size and modernize state government. And we need to send a clear message to the Legislature and the governor: No more money. Go do your job.’” (Keith Matheny, “Poizner Discusses Run For Governor,” The [Palm Springs] Desert Sun, 4/18/09)

State Sen. John Benoit Called Poizner A “Strong Fiscal Conservative.” “Sen. Benoit: “(Poizner) has good experience in government and out. He brings an ability to look at government and bring some reasonable adjustments to the size of it. He is a strong fiscal conservative.” (Keith Matheny, “Poizner Discusses Run For Governor,” The [Palm Springs] Desert Sun, 4/18/09)

As Insurance Commissioner, Poizner Has Approved Nearly $2 Billion In Rate Reductions, Directly Benefiting California Drivers And Homeowners:

Here Are Just Some Of The Major Rate Reductions Poizner Approved:

Poizner Approved $255 Million In Rate Reductions For AllState Policyholders. (California Department Of Insurance, “Insurance Commissioner Poizner Announces A $255 Million Dollar Rate Cut For Allstate Policyholders,” Press Release, 7/10/08)

Poizner Approved $219 Million In Rate Reductions For State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance Company Policyholders. (California Department Of Insurance, “Commissioner Poizner Announces $219 Million Reduction For State Farms Auto Insurance Policyholders,” Press Release, 5/14/09)

Poizner Approved $101 Million In Rate Reductions For AAA Of Southern California Auto Policyholders. (California Department Of Insurance, “Commissioner Poizner Announces $101 Million Reduction For AAA Of Southern California Auto Policyholders,” Press Release, 2/6/09)

Poizner Approved $100 Million In Rate Reductions For Northern California AAA Customers. (California Department Of Insurance, “Insurance Commissioner Poizner Approves $100 Million Rate Reduction For Northern California AAA Customer,” Press Release, 10/24/07)

Poizner Approved $61 Million Reduction for Mercury Auto, Homeowners and Renters Policyholders. (California Department Of Insurance, “Insurance Commissioner Poizner Announces $61 Million Reduction For Mercury Auto, Homeowners And Renters Policyholders,” Press Release, 6/11/08)

]]> http://poiznerfacts.com/2009/08/steve-poizner-is-an-anti-tax-crusader/feed/ 0 http://poiznerfacts.com/2009/08/steve-poizner-is-a-republican/ http://poiznerfacts.com/2009/08/steve-poizner-is-a-republican/#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:09:55 +0000 admin http://poiznerfacts.com/?p=11 MYTH: Critics allege that Steve Poizner is not a true Republican. They claim he supported Al Gore and John Kerry.

FACT: Poizner is a Republican. He voted for George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004. Moreover, Poizner served in the Bush White House as the director of Critical Infrastructure Protection in the National Security Council.

Click To Hear In Steve’s Own Words About How He’s Been A Lifelong Republican.

Poizner Is A Republican:

Poizner: “Let me just be clear. I’ve been a lifelong Republican. I voted for President Bush in 2000. I voted for President Bush in 2004.” (KTKZ’s “Capitol Hour With Eric Hogue,” 8/24/09)

Poizner: “I’m a lifelong Republican. I’m married to a Democrat. I’ve only voted for Republicans. I’ve only supported Republicans.” (Peter Hecht, “Candidates For Governor Address Party Activists,” Sacramento Bee, 2/22/09)

The California Republican Assembly Endorsed Commissioner Poizner For State Insurance Commissioner In 2006. (California Republican Assembly Website, www.californiarepublicanassembly.com, Accessed 8/24/09)

Poizner Has Participated In Almost 100 Republican Party Events In The Past Two Years, Working To Help Build A Stronger California Republican Party. (Steve Poizner For Governor 2010 Website, stevepoizner.com, Accessed 8/27/09)

Poizner Has Spoken And Campaigned Across The State For The GOP, Remarking That He’s Not A “Johnny-Come-Lately To Them” And That “This Has Been Going On For Years Now.” “‘I’m not a Johnny-come-lately to them,’ Poizner said of the party faithful, the potential foot soldiers in a statewide GOP campaign. ‘This has been going on for years now.’” (Shane Goldmacher, “Poizner Stakes Claim To GOP Faithful,” Sacramento Bee, 9/11/08)

Local Republican Officials Acknowledge That Poizner Has Been “A Huge Help To Local Parties” By Headlining At Fundraisers For Numerous Republican Clubs. “In the last 20 months, Poizner has zigzagged the state, lending himself as the headline speaker at fundraisers for more than 60 Republican clubs. The proceeds don’t go to Poizner. ‘Just by being available as a speaker for events, he has been a huge help to local parties because they can sell tickets, they can get people there, they can raise money,’ said Luis Buhler, the vice chairman of the California Republican Party in the Bay Area.” (Shane Goldmacher, “Poizner Stakes Claim To GOP Faithful,” Sacramento Bee, 9/11/08)

In 2008, Poizner Helped Bankroll Voter Registration Efforts For The State Party. “In early 2008, he agreed to match the $3-per-voter bounty the state party pays to GOP groups that register voters. With the program set to expire at the end of August, Poizner upped his pledge to $5 to local GOP clubs for each new registered Republican.” (Shane Goldmacher, “Poizner Stakes Claim To GOP Faithful,” Sacramento Bee, 9/11/08)

• Local Republican Leader On Poizner: “To Me, That’s A Politician Putting His Money Where His Mouth Is … And There Are Not Many Of Those.” “‘To me, that’s a politician putting his money where his mouth is,’ said [Morgan] Kelley, the Marin Republican, ‘and there are not that many of those.’”(Shane Goldmacher, “Poizner Stakes Claim To GOP Faithful,” Sacramento Bee, 9/11/08)

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