For far too long, Californian officials have stifled innovation in our great state. A series of recent legislative proposals threaten to make the environment for small businesses and entrepreneurs even worse. These and other ‘nanny state’ regulations also adversely affect the state’s critical tourism industry.
Excessive government regulation provides a disincentive for businesses to locate within California; in fact, for years we have witnessed a flight of capital and jobs to neighboring states and even far-off states, such as technology and business-friendly Texas. And these policies don’t just hurt our local businesses – they hurt all of us. Government regulation means fewer jobs for our state’s citizens and higher prices for consumers.
As a small-business owner myself, I understand the importance of this issue. I am a supporter of the recent developments in San Francisco aimed at reducing the number of zoning regulations and streamlining the permitting process for entrepreneurs. My focus as a State Senator would be to expand such policies in Sacramento, and I would work hard to cut unnecessary regulations, foster growth of new businesses, and enact policies that will lead to more jobs.