MALIA COHEN: I WILL BE A BOLD ADVOCATE FOR WORKING FAMILIES
Q: What in your background makes you the best candidate for this job?
A: I am no stranger to being a fighter for working families, and my experiences as a legislator on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, chair of the board’s Budget and Finance Committee, president of the San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System (SFERS) and chair of the California State Board of Equalization have prepared me for this role.
As president of SFERS, I managed the $22 billion fund and led the effort to divest from fossil fuels and thermal coal investments and moved $100 million into a fossil fuel-free index fund.
As Budget and Finance Committee chair, I cut spending and increased transparency in the city’s $11 billion annual budget.
The next controller must be committed to bold leadership and responsible investment of hard-earned taxpayer dollars; I will make sure our tax dollars are addressing the homelessness crisis and protecting our environment, our health care access and our reproductive freedom.
As controller, I will serve as an independent budget hawk bringing visibility, insight and equity into how the state spends its tax dollars.
The controller is a key leader with considerable influence in California who works with state agencies, the Legislature, the governor and the public to make sure California’s economy works for everyone.
Q: Assess outgoing Controller Betty Yee. What did she do well or not do well?
A: Controller Yee has done an exceptional job steadily improving the state’s credit rating for general obligations, identifying misused public funds and pushing corporations to pay their fair share. I’ve spent my career working to advance civil rights and social justice issues through policy. I believe the controller plays a critical role in investing in equity and ensuring fairness in how we invest hard-earned dollars.
As your next controller, I’ll put my office’s weight behind the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls’ Pay Equity Task Force, helping Californians understand their rights and elevating the task force’s California pay equity pledge, sponsoring business roundtables and holding corporations accountable for inaction when necessary.
The Controller’s Office conducts audits of state government agencies. I will ensure that the state is meeting its obligations and promises to be in full compliance with the California
Fair Pay Act — starting with a review of the Controller’s Office.
Q: California’s computer payroll system is outdated, and prior controllers have been unable to fix the problem. What, if anything, would you do?
A: If elected, investments in technology for the Controller’s Office will be a top priority for me.
Millions of Californians depend on timely and accurate distribution of their checks; local jurisdictions and statewide departments require accurate accounting in order to fund programming.
Fulfilling our budget obligations demands functional, contemporary systems that streamline our workflow.
Q: What are three areas in the office where you would make major changes?
A: Economic mobility. As controller, I will advocate that state resources are invested in building a better future for all Californians through job training, improved education, increased wages and sustainable investments. I know firsthand the critical importance of paid leave and affordable child care, and I will continue to fight for increased resources to these sectors.
Government accountability and transparency. I will provide strong, independent oversight of our state’s financial resources while advocating for our families, our workers and our communities. I will use the broad audit power of the state Controller’s Office to ensure that taxpayers are getting the services they deserve from state and local governments.
Addressing climate change and economic growth. I believe we must continue on the path toward 100 percent renewable energy in the state of California. In addition to meeting this goal, we must invest in green infrastructure projects that advance renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide high-quality jobs and job training. As controller, I will advocate for bold and equitable actions to address climate change and improve our environment in every community and neighborhood.