Gubernatorial candidates Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown faced off in a debate at UC Davis, Sept. 28, for the first of three such discussions planned for the election season.

The event was televised by KCRA-TV and broadcast on radio by Capitol Public Radio at 6 p.m.

Democrat Brown has served as Governor of California for two terms (1975-1983), while Republican Whitman is best known for being the former CEO of eBay (1998-2008).

Since she won the coin toss, the first question of the night went to Whitman. One of the panelists asked, “What would you say to those who believe California is ungovernable? And if it isn’t, how would you end the gridlock?”

Whitman said one of the top concerns for California should be bringing the state back to work and out of debt. She plans on accomplishing this by enacting tax cuts to help businesses become more competitive.

Whitman insisted that the California budget is unacceptable and said she would enact a two-year budget cycle.

Brown plans on reducing pensions for many legislators and for the governor by 18 percent. He believes that, in order to bring California out of debt, he must cut spending by bringing down costs in the legislative branch. Brown described his experience with budgets as governor and as attorney general.

Because water rights have become such a concern in California — especially for farmers in the Central Valley — both candidates were asked to explain their plans for running water more efficiently throughout the state.

Whitman said she supported the recent water bond, even though it was rejected. The bond would cost an estimated $11.4 billion, but would aid the conservation of water in California and help to ensure safe drinking water. Whitman suggested that California must do a better job of conserving the water available in order to cut costs.

Brown stated he would support any proposal by either party to conserve water and improve efficiency. He insisted that the beneficiaries of the water rights, not the taxpayers, must pay. Brown suggested that California needs to focus on water preservation, water recycling and safe drinking water.

The question of illegal immigration was also brought up, and each candidate provided different viewpoints on how this issue must be addressed in California.

Brown outlined a plan to secure the borders by implementing an electronic identification system to identify illegal immigrants. He said that workplace inspections for immigrants are a part of the solution, but he also believes that a path to citizenship should be available.

Whitman does not support amnesty for illegal aliens and believes that immigration protections must receive more funding and resources in order to secure the border. However, Whitman said she would not support a law in California similar to Arizona’s SB 1070.

The second debate will be on Oct. 2, beginning at 11 a.m., at California State University, Fresno. The third and final debate will be at the Dominican University of California at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 12. The general election will be held Nov. 2.

For more information on the candidates, read the Sept. 23 column, Gubernatorial candidates demonstrate potential.

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