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| For Immediate Release September 30, 2003 |
For the First Time in 85 years, CMTA Votes to Endorse for Governor
Sacramento, CA- - Breaking an 85 year tradition, the California Manufacturers & Technology Association’s Board of Directors voted today to endorse Arnold Schwarzenegger for Governor. CMTA’s board recognized that Schwarzenegger is the candidate best equipped to promote a pro-jobs, pro-growth agenda; work to reduce the cost burden on employers; and halt the growth in government spending.
CMTA did not take a position on the recall question. Since January 2001, California has lost more than 300,000 manufacturing jobs. These are the middle-income jobs that have been the backbone of California’s economy and pay an average of $55,000 per year.
“The state’s primary focus should be getting these people back to work,” said CMTA President Jack Stewart. “Unfortunately, Sacramento has been preoccupied lately with a job killing agenda that has added new regulatory costs and new work place mandates on employers, resulting in additional job losses.”
A recent study by the Milken Institute found that the cost of manufacturing in California is 32 percent higher than the average for the other 49 states.
“California can no longer afford an annual, helter-skelter barrage of taxes, fees and regulations. We need a focused vision that will balance the needs of employees and employers alike. We believe Mr. Schwarzenegger has the political will and courage to make it happen,” said Stewart. “California’s future is at stake. It’s time for bold leadership and that’s why the CMTA Board voted the way it did today.”
Stewart noted that the business community has been the “designated resource” for California’s spending spree for too long and pointed specifically to skyrocketing workers’ compensation costs, a pending explosion in the unemployment insurance tax rate, excessive electricity rate hikes for industrial customers and an increasing tax burden.
“Mr. Schwarzenegger understands the inherent need to keep families working in good, high paying jobs. California’s economy grows when our families are working and earning a fair wage. If we can provide the atmosphere to make that happen, state revenues will go up and the burden on state government will go down. It’s that simple and he gets it,” concluded Stewart.