Bringing the Political Reform Act, passed in 1974, into the 21st Century was the main topic of discussion to the crowded audience. The USC Task Force will spend about three and a half months preparing recommendations that will be discussed early next year.
Schwarzenegger discussed the fight to pass Proposition 59 in 2004, which made access to public records a civil right in California. Keeping in step with the message of transparency, Schwarzenegger admitted that systems are broken in the state. “Now, of course, these things get challenged, but we will continue to fight for the people of California,” Schwarzenegger said.
Schwarzenegger said $6.5 billion a year is spent on public employee’s pensions. This figure is up from a few billion just a couple years ago.
Schwarzenegger concluded his speech by discussing campaign finance reform and stating he will not sign a budget if these various kinds of reform are done.