On January 12, I announced my candidacy with these words,

"My name is Laura Wells, and I am running as a candidate for the Green Party nomination for Governor. And I want to say, there are solutions:  Solutions that will not hurt hardworking Californians, and will make our state great once again.

My mission is to FIX THE MONEY, and get California back on course.

I have three points for you today.

(1) Let’s talk about what we WANT in California.

(2) Let’s keep the GOOD; and fix the BAD in our laws, especially Prop 13.

(3) Let’s have FAIR taxes for a change.

(1) FIRST, what do we want? We want great schools, healthcare,  environmental systems, and job opportunities. We’ve had them in the past. For decades California invested in these areas and as a result, the state has been a flagship for educational and employment opportunities. Our political leaders say education is a priority, but show me the money! Among all the states, California is now 47th in per pupil spending. There are solutions; we can get back on course.

(2) SECOND, keep the good and fix the bad in our laws, especially regarding Proposition 13, which neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have had the courage and honesty to discuss. It’s GOOD to keep seniors in their homes, and differentiating between residential and commercial property – a split-roll system – would accomplish that. Up to now commercial property in total, not residential, has received 2/3 of the benefit of Prop 13. It’s BAD to require a 2/3 super-majority to pass a budget or increase taxes, when it only takes a simple majority to lower taxes. Since Prop 13 was passed, the middle class has been squeezed almost out of existence. We feel that we’re the ones paying a heavy load of taxes, and that we’re getting less and less back for the taxes we pay. When we look at the ever-increasing disparity in wealth in this country and state, we see we’ve been misled about benefits from our taxes going to people who have less than the middle class.

(3) THIRD, let’s have fair taxes for a change. When you look at all the taxes and fees that a person pays to local and state government, the lowest 20% of income earners pay 12 cents of every single dollar. The top 1% pay only 7 cents of their dollars. That’s 12 cents if you’re low income, and 7 cents if you’re extremely wealthy.

People see the 2/3 majority as a safeguard, and it is – but NOT for the middle class, lower income, or even affluent, only for the richest individuals and corporations who DO NOT want to give anything back to the golden state that gave them their opportunities. The bailout – with its retention bonuses and buyouts of local banks – was the tip of the iceberg, and both of the “fat-cat” corporate-funded political parties have, just like the Titanic, been sailing straight towards the next disaster.

I would love to win this race. As one of the people, not a POLITICIAN who is controlled by corporate special interests. I have only one special interest – people. We can roll up our sleeves and fix the way money works in this great state. California can once again be a leader, in the country and in the world, in education, health, job opportunities, and the environment.

Again, my name is Laura Wells, candidate for the Green Party nomination for Governor. Thank you."