Economic Strategy

By Sedalia L. (White) Sanders

There is no higher piority for California than a strong economy

Fiscal Responsibility: California needs a balanced budget, less wasteful spending, to bring down interest rates that spur new investments by businesses and families. I will work to trim bureaucacy and make government more responsive and efficient. As a civic leader and Mayor I supported opening new market, new opportunities and new growth.

Invest in People: California deserves an economy that is more innovative, more productive and more inclusive - giving everyone a chance to share in the prosperity. By opening the doors to colleges wider than ever before by expanding job training and re-training, by expanding California's commitment to science, technology, research and development. In this information age, California must have the best education ststem in the world. This means taking methods that work from many individual schools and applying them to schools accross the state ensuring that everyone has a chance to succeed in the highly skilled workplaces of the 21st century. As Senator, I will work to ensure that California stay ahead in a changing economy.

Open Markets: I will work for free and fair trade. I understand the importance of tapping into the 96% of the world's consumers who live outside our borders, while at the same time protecting labor and environmental rights. With one third of America's growth due to exports in the past six years and with export-related jobs paying 12-18% more than other jobs, I will continue to work for free and fair trade to improve the lives and livelihood of California's families.

Agriculture Industry: We are proud to boast agriculture as one of California's leading industries. With over 83,000 farms, California has remained the nation's agriculture leader. The agriculture industry accounts for over one million jobs a year and employs 275,000 people full time year round. As the first elected official from El Centro to sit on Governor Wilson's Rural Development Council, I have worked hard to represent agriculture in the state and I have championed many issues on behalf of California agriculture. In 1994 our farming industry, in Imperial County, was hit hard by the White Fly Infestation. I worked with state legislators, the Governor's office and the USDA for assistance and help in managing this unfortunate crisis. The agriculture industry is one of California's most cherished resources and I will work to keep it that way.