At Last, a Chance to Compare Davis and Simon on the Issues

SACRAMENTO

The debate over issues--real, substantive issues--finally has been joined in the race for governor. Credit the natural rhythm of government, rather than the candidates.

This is a significant event because, after all, issues are what voters continually tell pollsters they want candidates to talk about. Deep down, of course, we all know it’s smash-mouth politics that grab the voters’ attention and are the most effective strategy for candidates.

So bill-signing month-- September--is a blessing. A governor is forced to approve or reject hundreds of measures. He must venture beyond mere rhetoric and actually act.

We’ve now seen what it means to have a Gov. Gray Davis rather than a Gov. Bill Simon passing judgment on legislation. More than clashes of ideas, it’s about real-world competing interests. Not just debate, but deeds.

The bill-signing exercise was politicized, but that’s built into democracy. Davis was pressured by the public’s will--his Democratic Party’s will--to take certain actions. More than he normally does, Davis acted like a Democrat to shore up his soft liberal base while running for reelection.

Simon, in turn, reacted like a conservative Republican trying to solidify his party’s hard core.

Here are major examples of how they differed on key bills--and why it matters who’s governor:

Family Leave

Davis made California the first state to enact comprehensive paid family leave.

“I don’t want parents to have to choose between being a good parent and a good employee,” he said at the bill signing.

The governor’s action reaped national attention and no doubt bolstered his support among women.

The program will be funded by employee payroll deductions.

“It amounts to a tax on all employees,” Simon said, declaring he would have vetoed the bill. “People are taxed enough.”

Complaining about an anti-business climate in California, Simon said that, if elected, he’ll work to repeal two other bills previously signed by Davis: increasing workers’ compensation benefits and resurrecting the eight-hour workday.

Global Warming

Davis also made California the first state to fight global warming by requiring reduced tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases.

“We are going to set an example for the rest of the country,” the governor said, reaffirming his environmental credentials. “I would prefer to have Washington take the lead, but ... “

Last spring, Simon called the bill “social engineering.” Later, he agreed that “reducing global warming--if indeed there is such a thing as global warming--is always a good idea.” Most recently, he has said, “I’d leave it up to the scientists.”

Stem Cell Research

Davis signed a bill positioning California at the forefront of stem cell research, thus challenging President Bush’s attempts to limit this controversial field.

“It could potentially save millions of lives,” Davis said. “I am determined to keep California at the forefront of medical research and scientific innovation.”

Simon would have vetoed the bill. “I’m comfortable with President Bush’s position.”

Abortion

Davis signed a bill protecting abortion rights in California even if the Supreme Court ever overturns its landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision.

“Our current Supreme Court is narrowly divided,” Davis said. “California is not going to sit idly by and wait for that gavel to drop.”

Simon would have vetoed the bill, he explained, because it is “duplicative” of current law.

That may be. But Davis scored by reminding pro-choice women of the difference between the two candidates on this litmus-test issue.

Farm Workers

After long agonizing, Davis signed the nation’s first bill giving farm workers the right to mandatory mediation in deadlocked contract negotiations with growers.

Davis was caught between the farm workers union, Latino politicians and organized labor on one side--and, on the other, wealthy growers who had contributed heavily to his campaign. He went with his party base and avoided a potential revolt.

Simon would have vetoed the bill. “It will put our state’s farmers at a competitive disadvantage to every other state and, indeed, to foreign competition.”

Guns

Davis signed legislation allowing firearms manufacturers to be held liable for their products’ harm, particularly when a gun maker pitches a weapon to thugs. One ad promoted a gun as resistant to fingerprints.

Simon would have vetoed the bill. “We have enough gun laws.”

Unfortunately, voters usually have to fight through the candidates’ mudslinging to find where they stand on issues.

Ethics, experience and ideas all matter. But a politician’s policy decisions matter most.