Steve Hilton told Korean American voters that “change is coming” to California as he promoted lower living costs, tax cuts and support for small businesses ahead of the November governor’s race.
The Republican candidate, who advanced to the California gubernatorial runoff, delivered the message during a town hall meeting at the Aroma Center in LA’s Koreatown on June 17.
Hilton described California’s current problems as the result of one party controlling every level of state government for the past 16 years.
“When there are no checks and balances, politicians move toward the extremes,” Hilton said. “That is exactly what has happened in California.”
Hilton summarized his campaign platform as a plan to create an “affordable California.”
He said his priorities include reducing residents’ living expenses, supporting businesses and improving public schools.
One of his central proposals is to lower gasoline prices by $3 per gallon.
Hilton said he would seek to achieve that goal by eliminating unnecessary energy-related taxes and fees, including parts of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard program.
The policy he emphasized most strongly was a new income tax proposal unveiled on June 16.
Under the plan, households earning $150,000 or less would pay no state income tax. Households earning more than $150,000 would be subject to a flat 8% income tax rate.
“The fastest and most direct way to reduce the cost of living is for the government to take less money from people’s pockets,” Hilton said.
He added that some Democratic candidates, including former Rep. Katie Porter, had expressed support during debates for the broader idea of reducing taxes.
Support for small businesses is another major part of Hilton’s campaign platform.
“Small businesses are the heart of the economy and the community,” Hilton said as he promised to eliminate California’s $800 annual business registration fee.
He argued that the existing system is unfair because businesses must pay the fee each year simply to remain registered, even when they do not earn a profit.
Hilton also pledged to significantly reduce regulations affecting small businesses.
He said excessive litigation and burdensome regulations have created serious financial pressure for business owners.
Citing his own experience operating a restaurant in the United Kingdom, Hilton said lawsuits and regulatory costs can be disastrous for small businesses.
Hilton also emphasized his interest in South Korea and California’s Korean American community.
“I have spent a great deal of time in Koreatown and other Korean American communities across California,” he said. “The Korean American community is a very special and important part of this state.”
He also promised to actively encourage additional investment from South Korean companies.
Hilton described South Korea as an important economic partner for California and said he would work to deepen trade and investment ties if elected governor.
“I will make California open for business again,” Hilton said.
He added that he would travel to South Korea and personally encourage business leaders to invest in the state.
