Glazer has makings of strong, independent state controller

California needs a controller with integrity and state government experience — someone who has demonstrated political independence, an ability to foster bipartisan cooperation and a willingness to speak truth to power.

Bay Area state Sen. Steve Glazer is the only candidate in the June 7 primary who meets those criteria. Californians who want a controller who will effectively manage the state office of more than 1,400 workers and ensure tax dollars are efficiently and effectively spent should vote for him.

As California's chief fiscal officer, the controller pays state worker salaries and other government bills; sits on 78 boards and commissions, including those overseeing the state's two largest pension systems; and serves as an independent watchdog uncovering fraud and abuse.

With incumbent Betty Yee required to step down at the end of this year after serving the allotted two four-year terms, the race has drawn six candidates, including Los Angeles' city controller, a member of the state Board of Equalization, and a former policy advisor to Mitt Romney.

But it's Glazer who brings the deepest experience, having served as a political and policy advisor to former Gov. Jerry Brown, as an Orinda councilman, as a member of the California State University Board of Trustees and, since 2015, as a state senator from the East Bay.

Independence

It's in the Senate that Glazer, a Democrat, has demonstrated a tenacious streak of independence, a willingness to press on in the face of special-interest opposition, and a laser focus on data-driven oversight of government programs.

He successfully negotiated, over the objections of BART administration and unions, for cre