Posted on 10/10/2006 12:56:36 PM PDT by calcowgirl
Two qualified men with strong Long Beach ties are running for state treasurer in the Nov. 7 election. We met with Bill Lockyer, the Democratic state attorney general, who lives in Belmont Shore, and Claude Parrish, a Republican who keeps his state Board of Equalization office on Broadway and Pine Avenue downtown.
We liked both men and found ourselves wishing that term limits weren't eliminating their current jobs, which we view as appropriate to their respective skill sets.
But since the position of treasurer involves high finance, we give the edge, and our endorsement, to Parrish, who has more experience working with numbers.
We're not so sure he is good with people, or providing leadership of a large organization. But he has a reputation for helping small businesses square their tax debts and for teaching them tax laws. He is known for bringing a human touch to an office that deals with a subject most humans fear, taxes.
His open-door policy led to the removal of his office phone tree, so that callers often get a live voice. Getting businesses to pay sales and other taxes can be a challenge - many proprietors are confused by the rules - and his willingness to work with constituents helps the state take in its due and keeps business owners out of trouble.
In addition to his role as the board's Third District representative, Parrish has worked in the bond markets, served as a corporate controller of a securities firm, has invested widely and once owned his own chain of small businesses.
He identifies himself as a fiscal conservative in the spirit of Ronald Reagan, and has the endorsement of former Gov. George Deukmejian, Long Beach's favorite political son.
Lockyer is an attorney, and he has served the state well as "top cop." The recent revelations about Hewlett-Packard his office uncovered may one day lead to privacy protections from inappropriate corporate snooping. He is without a doubt a solid leader.
But he's a lawyer. The job is treasurer.
We can't help but assume Lockyer wants to stay in statewide office more than he wants to be treasurer. If this were the private sector, the equivalent would be a star attorney applying for a job at a Big Four accounting firm.
Even so, Lockyer's skills as a politician and leader would likely make up for his lack of finance experience. The office, which is currently held by the wonky Phil Angelides, could use some political pop.
Parrish impressed us with several novel ideas that could save the state money. Each involved bonds, but please keep reading anyway.
The Rancho Palos Verdes resident said he would work to take out state bonds at rates as low as 2 percent - he said 7 percent is the norm - by using California, instead of New York, brokerages. His campaign literature vows to take on "Wall Street middlemen." We say: Let him try.
Parrish also suggested that the state issue savings bonds, just like the federal government, in small increments. He said many brokerages lock out small-time investors seeking tax-free bonds. Californians would be able to save money at rates well above what most banks pay and help provide revenue to the state.
Finally, and most importantly, Parrish vowed to try to stop the Legislature, governor and voters from taking out bonds in the first place. Bonds are just another form of debt, and California already has too much of that, he said.
He's right.
Note the code word.
I did notice... but for Treasurer, that is just fine with me!
If he'll work to clean up the Calbondage ripoff, I'm 100% behind him!
(Too bad he'll get fierce opposition from those who favor milking the system).
I wish Parrish were doing better in the polls. Arnold has endorsed him, along with the other down ticket Republicans.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.