(I’ve changed the title, but all else is straight from the candidate’s fingers. – promoted by Brian Leubitz)

We have a real chance to do something good for California and I think for the country since this State leads the nation in many ways. California governance is currently hamstrung by a fraction. That fraction is two thirds. We are embarrassingly only one of just three States in the Union that requires a two thirds majority to pass a budget or manage tax revenues. This is in a State, a nation state really, that is the 6th largest economy in the world-equal to France.

That is why, along with eventually achieving universal, single payer healthcare, I am running as a Democrat for the 15th Assembly seat for the California State Legislature.

It’s a long time held Republican seat right on the doorstep of the Bay area. Jerry McNerney won his race, Tauscher gets re-elected, State Senator Torlakson too and yet with these same voters the Assembly seat has stubbornly remained in red hands.  ….more on the flip.

The 15th Assembly district is ripe for the picking but I am not running this race because it will be easy-far from it. The Governor has hand picked a Republican replacement for Guy Houston (termed out incumbent) and they are pulling out all the stops because they know they may lose it. They are running a statewide race. So am I. I wanted to briefly introduce myself as a candidate for this seat.

I am a strong proponent that government, business, and labor are equal partners in protecting our families and communities. Particularly I am a strong believer in the aggressive place for government in that equation whose coefficient has been cruelly dropped by the Republican mantra of “you’re on your own” ownership society.  President Bush’s recent veto of SCHIP couldn’t be a more blatant example of that calculus.

Beyond universal healthcare coverage, I am an ardent student of our State’s water issues. The 15th Assembly district covers most of the Delta but it’s really an issue that affects all Californians. If we don’t bridge the disputes of a vast array of ardent stakeholders fast, we will find ourselves turning the tap one day with either nothing coming out or worse, a stream of salt water. Robert in Monterey and John Laird have the picture.

I support the immediate order to begin the immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq-that in itself is a nine month timeline. Just throw the switch for crying out loud. As a Federal issue our impact can only come with a State resolution. I would have supported the Speaker Pro Temp, Don Perata, with his resolution to end the war.

And the one vote I will consistently cast is to support medical use of marijuana. My extensive corporate management experience with employees, who fell victim, albeit rarely, to substance abuse is based on medical and other professional training, not on the viewpoint of archaic hysteria. As an expert in employee recovery programs, I know this drug to be fully appropriate for medicinal uses and it does not constitute a “domino” step to harder drugs.

I do not seek the support from high elected officials. I have the support of teachers, environmental activists, and working families. Democracy is about the bottom up and not the top down. On that, I’ve learned my lesson.

My intent is to try and set a schedule for blogging about issues that I feel are important to you and myself on hopefully a weekly basis. Our website will try to post the plan.  I look forward to hearing from anyone who cares about the future of this State and the country or wants to know more about me. I can’t answer everything but I’ll give it my best.

Thank you. Let’s pick up this seat for Democrats!
Steve Filson, Assembly Candidate for the 15th District.