SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT:

The Honorable Tony Strickland is a long time member of the Los Angeles County Lincoln Clubs. He is a rising star in California Republican politics and as President of the Club for Growth, increasing influential in keeping the Republican Party the party of lower taxes and less government. The Lincoln Clubs have been honored to have him as a speaker at most of our 11 Chapters.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING CALIFORNIA THE CONTROLLER CAN ADDRESS?
The California State Controller has been called the second most powerful position in state government, and for good reason.
The Controller is the decisive fifth vote on the State Board of Equalization (BOE). The majority on the BOE elects the BOE Chairman, who then joins the Controller as two of the three votes on the influential Franchise Tax Board (of which the Controller is Chair). The two boards alone have tremendous sway over California tax policy, and their actions largely set the tone for the state’s business climate.
The Controller is also the Watchdog of the Treasury, and has sweeping audit authority, providing the office with a wide supervisory role over every facet of state government.
These are just a few reasons why electing a strong taxpayer advocate and proven friend of small business to the Controller’s office would dramatically impact California’s fiscal and business climates.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT QUALIFICATION FOR THE OFFICE OF CONTROLLER?
In 2001 I sued then-Governor Gray Davis, forcing the Administration to reveal the terms of their secret energy contracts. The resulting press coverage over the extremely high-cost energy contracts crystallized the anti-Davis sentiment that eventually led to his recall. As Controller, I will use the broad audit authority to ferret out this kind of mismanagement, waste and incompetence.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO WINNING THE OFFICE?
Getting the attention of voters across our large state for a down-ticket election is always a challenge. I am working with local campaigns to build the state-wide grassroots network necessary to share my fiscally conservative message and ensure that voters understand how important this position is.

WHAT CHANGES WILL YOU BRING TO THE OFFICE IF ELECTED?
For the first time in many elections, I will bring fiscally conservative principles to the role of State Controller, acting as a brake on run-away state spending and helping Governor Schwarzenegger get rid of government waste.

HOW CAN LINCOLN CLUBS MEMBERS SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS?
Visit my website at www.tonystrickland.com and sign up as a member of the team. You’ll get regular updates and be able to track the progress of our campaign. Also, any contribution is a tremendous help, going directly to mail and other voter communications needed to win in such a large state. You can contribute on-line or call the campaign headquarters at (805) 297-4529.

WHY IS THE CONTROLLER SO IMPORTANT?
• Accounts for and control disbursement of all state funds.
• Audits various state and local government programs.
• Determines legality and accuracy of every claim against the State.
• Informs the public of the State’s financial condition.
• Serves on the five member State Board of Equalization.
• Serves as Chair of the three member State Franchise Tax Board.
• Serves on the three member State Lands Commission.
• Administers the Uniform State Payroll System.
• Audits and processes all personnel and payroll transactions for state civil service, exempt employees, and state university and college system employees.
• Administers Estate, Inheritance and Gift Taxes.
• Administers tax-defaulted land.
• Administers the Unclaimed Property Law.
• Informs the public of financial transactions of city, county and district governments.
• Administers Property Tax Postponement Program.