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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Ronald Reagan Gubernatorial Campaign: Files,
1966
Folder Title: RR Speeches and Statements Book II
(6 of 6)
Box: C30
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digitized-textual-material
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit:
https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/white-house-inventories
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/research-
support/citation-guide
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
p482483 a
Citizens Committee To Elect
RONALD REAGAN GOVERNOR
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Lyn Nofziger
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EXCERPTS FROM A SPEECH BY RONALD REAGAN, HOLTVILLE, MAY 19.
The Governor promised four years ago to do something about the 160-acre limitation
for irrigated farms. He could have started keeping that promise months ago when the
federal government served notice it was breaking a contract of more than 30 years
standing which specifically exempted Imperial Valley farms from this limitation.
Five Secretaries of the Interior have upheld the validity of this contract.
But Secretary Stewart Udall has decided to turn off the spigot.
Now, granted this is a federal issue, a Governor truly representing his people
could have raised his voice in protest.
He could mobilize the Governors of other states with similar problems to join
him in this protest. He could go further. He could demand a review of the whole
160-acre policy based on the outmoded decision of 1902.
How does our Governor insist on this unrealistic limit while that same government
adopts a policy that small farms are impractical, that another 2.5 million farms must
be removed from the soil, that the Nation's needs can be met by one million large
commercial farms.
Modern farming under irrigation requires an investment in machinery and labor
costs which cannot survive this arbitrary rule by men who know nothing of the farmers'
problems.
The press reports land values in the Imperial Valley have declined by $250 per
acre. But that is only one part of the ultimate costs of this bureaucratic interfer-
ence. The housewife in the market place will pay in reduced quality and increased
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS: 3257 WILSHIRE BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CALIF. 90005 - Phone (213) 381-5771
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS: 46 KEARNY STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. 94108 - Phone (415) 392-8305
EXCERPTS--Holtville--Page 2
prices. Maintaining the 160-acre limit on public lands to prevent speculation is
justified, but there is no justification hatsoever for continuing this on privately
owned property.
When the Feather River project is completed the Governor must choose between
representing the best interests of California or being a handyman for Washington's
starry-eyed sociological experimenters.
The course our present Governor has chosen to follow is obvious. We need to take
the opposite course.
We need a State Bureau of Agriculture divorced from politics, a strong Director
of Agriculture, and a Governor willing to heed their advice.
We need property tax relief for farmers and if there is to be a minimum wage for
agricultural workers, it should be uniform throughout the Nation.
All of this is possible under an administration that has faith in the people's
ability to run their own affairs.
#
5.19.66
NOTE: Since Mr. Reagan speaks from notes there may be some changes in his quotes.
However, he will stand by any statements in these excerpts.
Du,
p484-486b
Citizens Committee To Elect
RONALD REAGAN GOVERNOR
NEWS RELEASE.
REAGAN STATEMENT
BUSINESS CLIMATE IN CALIFORNIA
"While I was in Detroit I had the opportunity to talk with a number of promin-
ent industrialists about the economy of California--jobs and plant expansion--things
that the Governor really doesn't seem to care much about.
"These people verified what some of us have long thought-that California's tax
laws and unemployment regulations make it difficult for big industry to locate in
California and reluctant to expand plants already here.
"When California's taxes are $100 higher than the national average per person,
when business must pay unemployment insurance at record rates--often for people who
are using their unemployment money as sort of a vaction with pay--industry looks
twice, and after the second look, usually decides to go elsewhere.
"Beyond this, eastern industrialists tell me the Governor just doesn't seem to
care. He has made little real effort to attract the plants that would provide the
jobs that would reduce California's unemployment to somewhere near the national
average instead of continuing to run 40% higher.
"Frankly, I am appalled that after eight years as Governor of the greatest state
in the Union, the Governor still does not understand what makes our economic system
work
that he still thinks a handout from Washington will solve every problem.
"Well, I don't think this. And after the November election, I expect to take
concrete steps that will bring new industry into the state and encourage expansion
of industry already here so that California can again provide jobs for all those who
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS: 3257 WILSHIRE BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CALIF. 90005 - Phone (213) 381-5771
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS: 46 KEARNY STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. 94108 - Phone (415) 382-8305
-2-
want to work.
"I have already proposed to some of these men that, when I am Governor, they
join with me and with leaders of California industry and labor to help devise a
plan that will bring additional business into California.
"Some of the ways are obvious: get rid of punitive tax laws, offer tax incen-
tives, eliminate some of the needless, time-consuming, expensive state forms and
paper work, inaugurate meaningful job training programs with industry directly
involved.
"And above all, offer state cooperation instead of state harassment, state help
instead of state penalties.
"Along with this, when I am Governor, I will propose to the new Lieutenant
Governor--and there will be one--that he join me in a major undertaking involving
personal contact with expansion-minded businesses all over the nation, aimed at
convincing them that California is not only people-oriented and job-oriented, but
is also business-oriented.
"We will work to bring new businesses and new jobs to California to give our
state the kind of prosperity that should go along with its climate and its natural
resources and that will alllow the state to meet its obligations and shoulder its
necessary burdens at a minimum cost to the people.
"After all, it makes little sense to anyone--except the Governor and other
so-called experienced politicians--that Californians should pay nearly $1,000 for
each family of four as the annual price of their state government, when Michigan,
once nearly bankrupt and in the same deep fiscal trouble as California is in now,
can operate in the black and take care of its people at about one-third the cost
for that same family of four.
-3-
"Michigan has proven, as we can prove, that a citizen-oriented, citizen-run
government, operating close to home, can do the job better and more cheaply than
a politician-run government whose only solutions consist of turning to Washington
and soaking the people."
3.29.66
Bsh-lshd
Citizens Committee To Elect
RONALD REAGAN GOVERNOR
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Lyn Nofziger
For P.M. Release May 6, 1966
EXCERPTS FROM SPEECH BY RONALD REAGAN IN SAN DIEGO MAY 6
to employees of the Pacific Telephone Company
"If the Governor had kept his promise to reduce unemployment in California
to a level no higher than the national average, the savings in unemployment insur-
ance payments would amount to $150 million a year.
"But even pending this, millions of dollars in savings are possible if
needed reforms are made in the unemployment insurance program.
"Since the burden of these added millions falls on the employer, the airent
cost of the program is a definite factor in our poor business climate and in our
lack of ability to attract new industries and provide more jobs.
"Let me make it plain that I have no intention of suggesting that unemployment
insurance should, in any way, be curtailed with regard to protecting California's
working men and women. They have a right to depend on this as a legitimate
insurance protecting them in the event of lay-offs or unemployment not of their
own fault.
"In the last few years this administration has re-interpreted the program
and now defines it, not as insurance, but as welfare. The Governor's appointees
have liberalized it to provide benefits for those who quit voluntarily or who are
fired for legitimate cause.
"It is even used to augment the earnings of those in seasonal occupations.
The result is that the program has been weakened to the point where there must be
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS: 3257 WILSHIRE BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CALIF. 90005 - Phone (213) 381-5771
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS: 46 KEARNY STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. 94108 - Phone (415) 392-8305
-2-
concern for its fiscal soundness.
"And the eventual victims will be the legitimate working men and women who
are being sacrificed to provide prepaid vacations for a segment of our society
which has made this a way of life.
"In spite of the fact that high employment industries with good records of
keeping employees at work have lost their exemptions from this tax, and in spite
of the fact the employer contributions have increased by 321% with the tax now
based on $4,100 per employee instead of the previous $3,800, the fund which
guarantees the program's fiscal soundness has dropped by more than $330 million
because benefit payments under re-interpreted regulations have increased by 351%
compared to what they were nine years ago.
"Basically, what is called for to reverse this trend is a re-examination of
the program's administration and a return to the idea that it is an insurance pro-
gram and away from the present interpretation of it as welfare.
"Such a re-examination would take into account seasonal jobs and not pay
benefits for times when these jobs are not available. Employees leaving jobs
voluntarily or dismissed for misconduct were ineligible for benefits under the
original statute. A 1965 amendment changed this and should be corrected to limit
benefits to those losing their jobs through no fault of their own.
"Under the original statute, suitable employment is clearly defined as employ-
ment for which the employee is reasonably fitted which is in the vicinity of the
employee's residence of last employment and gives him wages either equal to his
weekly benefit for total unemployment or provides him work and wages for at least
half the number of hours normally worked at full time in his occupation. Today
this statute has been misinterpreted to provide that a person can collect insurance
if he is not offered a job paying the same or more than he made prior to his unem-
-3-
ployment.
"The result is that even in a period of relatively high employment, benefits
paid are greater than the amount paid into the fund through the employers tax. It
has become necessary to use subsidies such as surtaxes, federal loans and assistance
to keep the program solvent.
"There is a disaster potential here in the event of a depression and since the
tax is proportional to the payroll of the employer, a period of extreme unemploy-
ment could render the program useless.
"It is sheer folly and the height of irresponsibility if we fail to act now
to put this program on a sound basis for the protection of the working men and
women of this state.' "
5.5.66
Citizens Committee To Elect
RONALD REAGAN GOVERNOR
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Lyn Nofziger
Release: 12:00 noon September 27
EXCERPTS FROM SPEECH BY ROHALD REAGAN, SACRAMENTO, SEPTEMBER 27
We have been brought together because of an interest we share in corron-
our participation in the greatest public school system in the world.
Now, for me to include myself may surprise some of you. There has been
some effort to portray me as anti-intellectual.
The Covernor has been taping everything I have said and has been editing
those tapes before passing them on. As a result, there is in circulation an inco
quote which I would like to use at this point in its entirety: "It is a strange para
dox that this nation, founded upon the theory of individual freedom, should depart
from this principle so far to establish a system of compulsory education."
Now in repeating that statement and printing it in his campaign literature
the Covernor has neglected to add, as I do, that "this is a paradox we gladly andenk
because we know as did the founding fathers before us that we can't have truly
society unless we have a literate and educated citizenry."
Now, no doubt some purists are probably disturbed by this dichocomy :- our
free society.
But I am not one of them.
We have = made this system work in controlling it as as possible
local level.
Teachers with an understandable claim to academic freedom somecimes
:
to teach 35 the teacher wines it teach.
NURTHERN HEADQUARTEPS 45 KEARNY sr., SINTE 000. SAN TRANSISCO. CAUSORNA 94191 PHONE (415) 152-3177
FUNTHERN HEADQUARTERS. WILSHIRE US ANGELES, PHONE
491
There 1.9 an equally viluable right lemanded by the parents forced
5000
= children to school--chay claim a voice in how an what those children 00
caught. And as Little Willie's mother and Little Willie's teacher meet eyeatl-to-
cycbali, I am sure many of you know who's in the middle.
But cumbersome as it is, this imporfece compromise has made the system
Decause all of us can meet and argue and decide.
Today there is a threat to this cumbarsome, but time-tested, system
If there is one opinion on which there is unanimity among local school
authorities throughout our state, it is that there is too much regulation in Secrements
overiall aspects of elementary education. Much of this regulation is in the form of
mandated legislation requiring programs and educational appropriations without provide
sions for funding such programs.
When and if the funding does follow, with the money comes new instructions
reguising further compliance. The time set for the programs and to hire state ::
Unjessibly short.
Pity the poor administrator who can't get a decision or interpreticion faces
the County Counsel on hundreds of pages of now legislation coming our of Sacraments
legislative "horn of plenty.'
E. Every years 230 the people of this state successfully lobbi
and went home criumphant! They had hardly see. the Capitol Dome tade
45 was included in, and passed, as AB 145.
Here WHS proof that local districts that don't comply are denied
runds and in sere cases penalized.
Yes, they can vote on unification and it they vote right they 847 ...
Clicical $15 per pupil. But if they vote against unification it means the =
to
$15
is
The Custure 0.200 School District voted itself into a 44% penulry 1000.
cento Excerpts
page
3
Pating right, of course, rates ? promise of lower costs. But there is ao licerion
that any school district ever lowered the tax rate after an election under AS .45.
The goal is to reduce 1,500 districts to 300, but I to sure some of you
wouldn't dic of surprise if the 300 ware intended become eventually 53
districts and in reality a single state system.
At any Fate, since the State Board of Education is an appointed body 247
reduction in local control of education which grants more power to the state the 11
toward political control.
And, of course, the district voting wrong must vote again and again every
two years, supposedly on the theory its voters will eventually tire and give in.
Part of the reasoning behind this persistent effort is that larger unifi A
districts provide more economical operation. Strangely enough, those who chick CALL
should know better.
Dr. Werner 2. Hirsch, currently at UCLA Institute of Government and SUBTE
Affairs, writing in the March 1960 issue of the National Tax Journal, suggeste the
"consolidation is unlikely to solve the fiscal problems of the schools in an urban
America.
18
He finds no evidence that wholesale consolidation of school district
larger units increases efficiency, and citas instead the gains that con
voluntary cooperation by the districts and cities.
These include, for example, control libraries of audio-visual aids,
tiring of guidence counselors, music teachers, etc.
Pigeon-holed somewhere here in Signature are the findings of P-
Cottal, head of unification studies for the state from 1943-59
He and others found that the ideal disprict size was between 10,
£2,000
school The news ffficient 5.32 is 20.000 CO 22
493
imento Excerpts
page 4
But when you get above this there are strong Inlicitions that
7
peration per pupil increases, as does the ratio of pu; 1 to teacher.
New York City is already heading in 200 opposite direction with imingendent
school boards under twenty-one assistent superiet 'ents.
Unification is good when determined by local districts involved voluntar11
and not forced from the state level.
It just doesn't make sense to have blanket rules, such as the
ment chat 60% of the budget must 80 for teachers' sularies. This penilisis discribe
of rapid growth and is a temptation to engage in dishonest bookkeeping.
This is supposed to be an incentive for reducing class size and there is =
penalty for non-compliance.
But Los Angeles takes the penalty because it can't locate sufficier
of new teachers or build the required classrooms fast enough
One wonders about the state-wide application of the second languige
when districts, for example in Spanish-speaking neighborhoods, have the bulk
with a second language already and a need for more English, with teachers qualifies
and experienced in this particular teaching problem.
The major problem as you well know is the drastic shortage of all
teachers. This shortage is due in part CO the strict requirements
Fisher Act. It was designed to bolster the quality of Tillfornia benche
has on opposite effect and has forced the hiring of provisional northers
incard.
Our mister plan calls for the mulustion From ter present matio
publis oor teacher to 29-1/2. But we are behind LA teachers at
6,500 = year.
Ve
iltnouse
districts
cauticipan
they
receive
494
10
SL
menco Excerpts page 5
? CO $900 per year per child. I am sure no one quarrels with this.
Indeed, this is part of our problem--because : are still not doing -11 NO
can in this often tragic situation.
Handicapped children whit their turn in line unable to start their advention
as pressure mounts and years go by.
But the problem is even worse at the other end of the spectrum--thice
exceptional individuals with an IQ of 130 and up. Here the state provides 34.
hardly pays for the cost of identifying such students, and provides nothing 10 the
of education suited to their exceptional abilities.
Have we moved SO far away from individualism, so close to the ant heap, this
we have forgotten that no progress ever resulted from mass movements? Always il
:
the individual who pioneers, thrusting above the crowd and lifting the rest of
little closer to the stars
Herbert Hoover said: "The greatest strides of human progress have come
uncommon men and women. When we are sick we want an uncommon doctor. When the
war we yearn for uncommon generals and admirals. When we choose a president of 1
university we want an uncommon educator. The important need of this nation 00
times is the leadership of the uncommen man and women. We need men VAD don
intimidated, who are not concerned with applease meters, who will not tall
for chears today."
Is a society truly great if it lines up each noneing For daily 2811
and handouts?
Do WC want a California turning to Washington for the solutive
problem because it hasn't faith and trust in its own perpos!
Or do NO want a creative society, 1 government pobilizing DAL DD
X
and proud to be i. Loctrol of their own destiny.
495
recomento Excerpts
page 6
Even if we had no concern for the possible threat of a nationalized school
system, we would have to question whether the federal S overnment has shown any taking
for doing the job better than we can.
In one city the poverty program budget for retraining 3,000 drop-outs
totaled half as much as the entire school budget for coucating 25,000 children.
There is some strange perversion which takes place in the classic philo
of the carrot-and-the-stick when the New York Journal American reports students
receiving $1.25 an hour for part-time work in the school were fired when it was
discovered they didn't have records as delinquents.
It doesn't take a genius to figure out the average kid will put two-and-two
together and go out and break a few windows to keep his job.
It would seem that local school authorities should be able to count or
power of the state to stand between them and any threat of losing autonomy to the
national government.
But all too often it seems like the last reel of is mystery serial on the
late, late show. The heroine thinks she is safe by the side of her uncle and then
discovers he is the murderer.
Now whether it is the intended goal or not the state seems bent on
climinating local control. Thus, the federal government would only have =
proprietorship over a single state-wide system.
But, strangely, at the same time we nove toward more state control
scace reduces its financial support proportionitely. Where once it was 50%, it is
05%--less in some urban areas where it dropped as low as 27%.
If the districts undergo this kind of forced unilication leading COLLECT
unlirgement, the property taxpayer bears a larger portion of the burden for
or the same time he is gradually losing control.
Districts Number too far removed from the people. Negative atticul.
mento Excerpts prige 7
promoted and the chance of busing needed bond issues declines until Hhe i.. Reseri
Mensulves the problems grow sigger.
Some day someon. is going to ask out loud questions about the state's role
in the cextbook business. Sasic texts for each club encary grade recommended X the
state board are provided free.
But is it possible that we could continue this plan while at the same 0.0
we opened supplementary texts to selection through competitive bidding by
publishers with the state sharing a portion of she cost and thus return SUID
the local school districts?
Small local districts have flexibility and many good innovations in educated
come from these smaller districts and are later refined IS they are applied to L....
larger districts.
As you perhaps have guessed I would remove forced unification from educatio
poli
I think we should re-evaluate the Fisher Act.
I would implement the recommendations stated in California's Need for
Teachers, 1965 to 1975, published by the State Superintendent of Fublic Inst
"the attainment of Colifornia's goals of quality education and maximum
opportunity for all children and our youth depends upon properting
retaining the highest coulified adentional profession."
I would favor more loon: floribility in curricate act minucion.
And you can add to the things I won't t propose the National
which received contain amount of ntion, for
10 Unin origoneing r-your-olds. Her :: California 10 will cost cliss
million to begin such program and than's not counting the capital out
in
mento Excerpts
page
8
Idden.
Then, to return to the positive, I would incr 150 state hid to the
burden for the property texpayer.
I know this calls for 1 comprobensive tim reform without ginnick on This
problem calls for an in-depth study of our complex system of school financing
Let me add here with regard to financing, it is pretty naive if any of
believe we can solve next year's many problems with a 2% kickback in the Education in
COX,
Now let me lay to rest ? carefully resurrected ghost that has risen CO bener
me and not entirely by accident! I realize the federal government has usurped so much
of the taxing authority we can not refuse federal aid. But I have a deep mistrust INC
the federal controls that go with it.
I believe we should continue to press for earmarked funds to be left MC the
state and local level for us to spend as we see fit.
As I have said before, and been misquoted before, education is the sukwer
of freedom, but removed too for from local and parental control it can become the
tool of tyranny.
Problems we have, but also great excitement and challenges.
1
I know of no place better equipped CO meet those challenges than
state. Major industries have intered the educational field with thair 0111
and made discoveries which can be but In work in our schools.
In New York, RCA working in cooporation with the schools, provid
from its laboratories on a regular lectur. basis.
New olds Eur training have been discovered.
All thise things 20. out their for CS in CALL
I would propose any help that could : given :- the state Lovel [
open aducational mind in California for any innovations meet this 70
There is ST little time for you and I = determine in what
remembered the Incose
0.27.66
Sinc: Mr. will from notes. there pay b. changes in th
no will the CORL.
September 24, 1965
STATEMENT OF RONALD REAGAN REGARDING THE JOHN BIRCH SOCIETY
Many words have been spoken and written about the John Birch Society as an issue,
particularly with regard to the stance and attitude of the Republican Party, even
though the Society claims it is non-partisan and that its membership is almost
equally divided between Democrats and Republicans. In recent months my name has
been repeatedly injected into articles and discussions concerning the John Birch
Society and its membership.
I have never been and I am not now a member of the John Birch Society, nor do I
have any intention of ever becoming a member. I have never sought Birch Society
support, nor do I have any intention of doing so should I become a candidate for
public office.
In my opinion those persons who are members of the John Birch Society have a deci-
sion to make concerning the reckless and imprudent statements of their leader,
Mr. Welch.
In all fairness to the members of this Society, I believe this statement would be
incomplete if I failed to point out that despite the heavy criticism of the Society
by many citizens, Mr. J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI, is on record as stating
that the FBI has not investigated the Birch Society because it only investigates
subversive organizations. Furthermore, the California Senate Sub-Committee in
its 1963 report found the "Birch Society to be a Right, anti-communist, fundamental-
ist organization neither secret nor fascist, nor have we found the great majority
of its members in California to be mentally unstable, creckpots, or hysterical
about the threat of Communist subversion". The report, however, was highly
critical of the Society's domination by its founder, Robert Welch, and of his
book, "The Politician", published several years before the Society was formed.
I wish at this time to reaffirm my criticism of Mr. Welch and restate that I
am in great disagreement with much of what he says. In my opinion, his charges
against former President Eisenhower are utterly reprehensible.
The 1965 California Senate report does not disavow any of the 1963 findings, but
is more critical of the Society mainly because of "inexcusable actions of a
minority of irresponsible members and evidence of anti-semitism in that minority".
According to this report, the Society has grown tremendously since 1963 and has
attracted a "lunatic fringe of emotionally unstable people". Again, however, the
Committee points out they are not representative of the Society's official policy.
In my opinion, the Society has a responsibility to maintain vigilance to see that
this element does not use the Society for witch-hunting, anti-semitism or any
other un-American activity.
For the record, I would like also to state that I an opposed in principle to
seeking support of any blocks or groups because in principle to do so implies a
willingness to make promises in return for such support. It would be my intention,
if I seek public office, to seek the support of individuals by persuading them to
accept my philosophy, not by my accepting theirs. I would campaign on such import-
ant issues as the bureaucratic growth of our State Government, the excessive taxa-
tion that is already slowing California's economic growth and reducing job oppor-
tunities, and the increasing crime rate that makes our cities' streets a place of
danger after dark.
499
RONALD REAGAN AND ROBERT FINCH SPEAK OUT ON THE ISSUES
EDUCATION
Among the first concerns of state government must be the quality of public
education. How we do that job will determine the future of California. The
education of our children during the next 15 to 20 years, when the population
of California doubles, has to have the highest priority. We must seek creative
ways of utilizing our human and technological resources in this field.
There have been two disturbing and inconsistent trends in California educa-
tion in recent years: the State has been assuming increasing power over education
and local control has been correspondingly eroded at the same time the State govern-
ment is paying less of the costs of education and the local property taxpayer is
paying more.
When Gov. Brown took office the financial support provided by the State
amounted to 50% - it is now 35% and in some cases as low as 27%. At the same
time, the Brown push has been in the direction of establishing a single statewide
system of education under the State Board of Education, a body appointed by the
governor. For example, while the State's financial participation has been greatly
reduced, the local districts have in effect been deprived of the right to make
their own unification decisions - that is, if they do not unify under State mandate
they will lose $15 per pupil and in addition an area wide tax will be imposed upon
them. The lessening of local control and the increase in State power inevitably
-2-
provides an instrument for political control.
We have an immense teacher shortage aggravated by the Brown-sponsored Fisher
Act. Our ratio of teachers to pupils has fallen to 45th among the fifty states.
Sacramento has deluged the local school districts with a blanket of rules
and regulations. Much is in the form of mandated legislation requiring programs
and educational appropriations without provisions for funding such programs.
Rules making no sense have been issued such as the State requirement that 60% of
the budget must go for teacher salaries. This penalizes districts of rapid growth
and is a temptation to engage in dishonest bookkeeping.
Obviously something must be done to salvage our educational system. We pro-
pose the following program.
1. The concept of unification is a good one but such determinations should
be made upon a voluntary basis by the local district. Such matters
should not be dictated by Sacramento. It is now recognized that the
wholesale consolidation of school districts into larger units does not
necessarily increase efficiency - indeed there are strong indications
that the ideal district is between 10,000 and 12,000 pupils. After a
district exceeds a certain size the costs of operation and the ratio of
pupil to teacher actually increase.
Smaller districts are more responsive to the people. They are flexible
enough to try out new educational programs. Many good innovations have
come from small units of government. The strongest school district is
one with maximum local participation.
2. The financial support of the State to the local school districts should
be increased to fifty percent where it was eight years ago. This would
-3-
provide much needed relief to the local property taxpayer. At the same
time, the host of restrictions and controls which now accompany State
grants should be reduced, allowing more flexibility and control for the
local districts.
3. The entire question of teacher qualifications and particularly the Fisher
Act and its consequences, should be re-examined. In this connection a
review of teacher salaries and perquisites should be made to encourage
the recruitment of qualified teachers. Our goal should be to increase
the ratio of qualified teachers to pupils, At the present time we are
running behind at a rate of about 6,500 teachers a year. The attainment
of California's educational goals depends upon our preparing, recruiting
and retaining the highest qualified educational profession. At the
present time we are not doing so - in emergency proportions.
4. Although we have mandated special education programs to assist children
in various categories such as the handicapped, we are not doing enough
in some of these areas. Improvements are needed to make them meantngful,
for example, in programs such as that for gifted children.
5. We favor more local flexibility in currículum determination. Local school
districts now must accept text books provided by the State Board of Educa-
tion unless they can afford to pay the costs of supplemental text books
themselves. This practice tends to remove more of the autonomy of the
local districts than possibly any other single factor and eliminates
local text book selection. While basic texts would continue to be pro-
vided by the State, supplemental texts should be available upon the choice
of the local district with the State paying part of the cost.
-4-
6. Leadership now lacking should be provided by the State to assist the
local school districts in personnel recruitment and placement, to stimulate
library development and to aid in similar activities. Voluntary coopera-
tion between the local school districts and cities should be encouraged
to establish central sources of audio-visual aids, joint employment of
guidance counsellors, music teachers, coaches, etc., and in similar
matters.
7. We badly need and we propose an in-depth study of our complex system of
school financing looking toward a comprehensive tax reform program-
without gimmickery.
We cannot have a truly free society unless we have a literate and educated
citizenry. Education is the bulwark of freedom but if removed too far from local
control, it can become the tool of tyranny. We must do what is necessary to estab-
lish and maintain the best possible system. Of course, quality education costs
money - but one thing more expensive is ignorance.
Campaign 1966
Volume II - page 503
REAGAL FOR GOVER: CA HEADQUARTERS
-: Kearney Street
San Francisco, California
392-8317 or 392-8305
Release: IMEDIATE
Contact: Lyn Nofziger or Jan .cCoy
EXCERPTS CF SPEECH BY RCLALD REAGAN
The Governor, in his customary attempts to hoodwink the voters
by telling them where he might stand and where he would like them to
think I stand is running around the state referring to his free
higher education program.
And he says I would endanger free education.
Now I wonder who he thinks he is kidding? Education, higher or
lower, in California or out, is not free.
It is paid by you and me the taxpayer--whether or not we own
property
And now the Governor's own fiscal policies are endangering the
quality of our entire education system at every level.
These policies have already forced a nearly 50 percent cut in
state funds to local school districts and doubled the property tax
for all our home owners.
And at the higher education level he is juggling funds and using
up reserves to meet current needs, Money specifically earmarked for
other purposes is being used to help our state colleges and
universities.
And even this is not enough. We are being forced to 30 to a
$230 million bond issue for school construction. I approve of and
endorse this bond issue, Proposition 2. It has been made necessary
by the irresponsible fiscal policies of this Governor. but this
should be the last time. Hereafter we should be able to meet
504
Excertts
base 2
expansion and construction needs of our college and university. system
on a pay-as-ycu-go basis.
Cur college professors are underpaid and to cut costs the
Governor reneges on the size of a promised pay increase.
Our Legislature approves more than $400 million a year for
higher education or approximately $1,300 for each state college
student and approximately. $2,900 for each state university student.
And yet this Governor allows 18,500 out-of-state students to
attend our schools for a tuition of a half to a third of the actual
cost and you pay the difference--a subsidy for each out-of-state
university student of nearly 2,000 a year.
Free higher education? Not for you the taxpayer.
And as costs continue to spiral and demand continues to mount
it grows less and less free.
Now I have not advocated an immediate program of tuition charges
for in-state students, but I do say that we must begin to study the
problem lest we reach the point where the only other alternative is
to cut back on the quality of the education our colleges and
universities can offer.
With tax burdens in California already double the national
average, with property taxes already at the breaking point, how long
can we continue asking you to pay virtually all the costs of a volun-
tary education program?
Education in California is conpulsory through high school. We
pay those costs gladly, knowing that a literate citizenry is necessary
to make our form of government work successfully.
University and college training is voluntary. True, the good
that accrues to our state from cur university graduates is
505
Excerpts pase 3
immeasurable, but that good also accrues to them. Who is to say that
all of us in one way or another should not pay for the benefits that
come to us as individuals. It is my belief that we all must pay a
share in our way in life.
The question I raise is how long can we continue to put an ever
increasing burden on the taxpayer? Where is his breaking point?
I think we are approaching it. And when that time comes our
alternatives will then be either tuition or a poorer quality of
education. I think we should look strongly at these alternatives.
And then, if we, the people, choose partial tuition, we must do so
within the context of a program that will make certain that the stu-
dent who cannot afford tuition can still have an education.
If we choose this course we must also have an augmented program
of scholarships for the needy students. There must be a plan of
tuition payment deferred until after graduation when the student is
earning. This, plus our many student loan funds, should protect the
right of every student who wants an education, to get it. Then I
make one additional proposal. The Governor, through the Council of
Governors, should urge the federal government to grant tax credits
to parents for at least a portion of the cost of educating their
children.
We must do everything in our power to assure those persons who
wish a hicher education a chance to get it at a price they can afford.
But we must also do it at a price the already overburdened taxpayer--
you and I and all of us-can afford.
iff
NOTE: Since lir. Reagan speaks from notes there may be changes
in this text. However, he will stand by the above quotes.
506
FOR GOVERNOR HEADQUARTERS
323
Wilshire Boulevard
_05
Angeles, California
213-381-5771
Release: Immediate
Contact: Lyn Nofziger or Clyde Beane
EXCERPTS CF SPEECH BY RONALD REAGAN
Conference of California Narcotic Officers' Association
Edgewater Inn arina Hotel, October 20, 1966
I am firmly convinced that California has the finest police and
sheriff's departments in the nation and perhaps the world. They have
maintained this standard of excellency with little help from the present
administration.
But in a world where new criminal techniques, court rulings, and
an exploding population make crime detection and prevention ever more
difficult, we need to make sure that all our local law enforcement
agencies can be provided the same kind of advanced training now avail-
able only in the biggest cities.
For this reason I recently proposed that the state establish a
police academy to insure that those cities, towns or smaller counties
unable to provide their own academies will still have adequate training
facilities for their police or sheriff's deputies.
A day or two later the Governor denounced me for that proposal,
even though a piece of campaign literature he called back at the last
minute indicated he planned to make the same proposal.
Now, of course the Governor must stand up and be counted as opposing
such an academy.
But let me recite to you what J. Edgar Hoover said just last month
about police training.
"Increased professional police training is no longer a desirable
goal. It is no longer a matter of choice for United States law enforce-
ment. It is an absolute necessity.
::
507
NAECOTICS CONFERENCE EXCERPIS
page 2
And in the same month he wrote "Police officers handicapped by the
lack of proper training and leadership are unprepared to cope with the
momentous criminal crisis which confronts most communities today.
Common sense dictates the urgent need for long-range, full-scale
training programs and modern facilities to make every enforcement
officer a professional foe of lawlessness. "
Now maybe this is a little strong for a Governor who has done
nothing about our crime problem in eight years, in fact a Governor who
has actively opposed many pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening
the police's hand in the battle against crime. But it isn't too strong
for a Governor who would fifht to cut back California's crime rate,
for a Governor who views crime as one of our state's most serious
problems.
#####
10.20.66
NOTE: Since Mr. Reagan speaks from notes there may be changes in this
text. However, he will stand by the above quotes.
CAMPAIGN 1966
Volume II page 508
PINCE
FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COMMITTEE
State
Headquarters: 1200 J Street, Sacramento, California
Southern California Headquarters: 3959 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California
Contact: Howard Seelye (213) 620-1160
Tax Reform, for release Tuesday, September 6, 1966
Badly-needed tax relief for property owners, plus creation of new jobs for
Californians will result from a program of tax reforms proposed by Ronald Reagan and
Robert H. Finch, Republican nominees for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, in a joint
declaration today,
Reagan and Finch presented a seven-point program plus "Five Fair Play Commandments
for California Taxpayers," including recommendations that personal property taxes on
household furnishings be abolished, that an "Assessors' Senate" and a "Citizens
Advisory Board" be established.
In addition, a recommendation that the State Board of Equalization be expanded
from four to six members, with the additional members from Southern California, was
proposed.
The "Five Commandments" offered by Reagan and Finch were:
1. A. basic standard value should be applied with equity on all property in
California.
2. The tax assessor should be lifted from his present role as political juggler
behind whom some free-spending elected officials hide.
3. Tax appeals procedures should be strengthened.
4. An "Assessors' Senate" should be established to give taxpayers and local
governments a say in rules and regulations governing property tax administration
5. An entirely new tax climate must be created in California - a tax climate
that truly aims at the creation of jobs.
The two candidates urged that the next session of the legislature enact laws
providing tax and assessment ceilings on property to shift the burden of carrying
the tax load from property owners.
The SEVEN proposals for tax reform made by Reagan and Finch were:
1. Abolish personal property tax on household furnishings.
509
Page 2
2. Eliminate double taxation on subsidiary dividends of corporations
3. Establish a system of credits permitting a partial write-off of inventory
tax payments against state franchise taxes and eliminating inventory
taxes as rapidly as possible.
4. Assessment of state and federal land holdings in California with an
in lieu payment returned to the counties.
5. Conform state income tax laws to those of the federal government and
support the ballot measure (Proposition #14) this year to accomplish this
end,
6. Create a State Tax Court to hear tax appeals from the rulings of the
State Board of Equalization and State Franchine Tax Board.
7. Add two members to the State Board of Equalization, so that a truly
representative state-wide board is achieved.
Reagan and Finch said that California's antiquated tax structure is the
greatest impediment to the creation of vitally-needed new jobs in the State and
the present method of taxation neither meets the needs of today's Urban Age nor
even keeps pace with the State's economy.
"Today's tax structure penalizes local governments, the federal programs
Oppress the local governments, and the state government stands idly by with its
hand thrust deeply into local pocketbooks," the joint announcement stated.
They said their proposals are the immediate steps that can be taken in Cali-
fornia. In addition, they said, a complete study is needed that would look to
a systematic overhaul and up-dating of the tax structure.
The two GOP standard bearers added that it is the State's responsibility to
lift the burden of inequities, to find other means for obtaining needed revenues
and to correct abusive burdens upon the property taxpayer.
Seven and a half years of Brown and Anderson have placed California's revenue
picture in a "bleak" position, Reagan and Finch said, with a revenue gap next year
projected at $240 million.
510
Citizens Committee To Elect
RONALD REAGAN GOVERNOR
NEWS RELEASE
*
Contact: Lyn Nofziger
Release: TUESDAY 9.27
8:30 PM
EXCERPTS FROM RONALD REAGAN SPEECH. HAYWARD, SEPTEMBER 27, 1966
"A nationally syndicated columnist whose orientation is not exactly to the right
of center came to California recently and discovered, much to his horror, that
Californians are not happy with the high cost of welfare.
"I'm not surprised that a great reporter discovered this. During the primary cam-
paign I traveled up and down this state and after every speech the audience asked
questions,
"Always, one of the first two or three questions was: 'If you are elected Gover-
or, what will you do about welfare?'
"Before I answer that, perhaps other questions should be asked: What is wrong
with our welfare system? Is it too expensive? What is it accomplishing?
"There is much wrong with our welfare system. Welfare in the United States was
originally conceived as a means of tiding over a man or a family until they could get
back on their feet.
"Today, welfare is a way of life for some families, even unto the third and fourth
génerations.
"Walfare, by some of this governor's appointees, is viewed as a part of our great
American heritage. No longer would they confine it to the needy. Rather they would
extend it to the lazy and the greedy at the expense of those who see no sin in honest
coil. We are told the guideline is redistribution of income.
"-- our walfire system too expensive? Since this administration has held office,
CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS. 46 KEANNY ST., SUME 500. SAN FRANCISCO. CALIFORNIA 54103 PHONE (415) 392 2701
CAURDENA HEADQUARTERS: 3257 MILSIARE BONKEYARD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 50005 PHONE (213 331 577.
-2-
_ :) the state for welfare have risen 113.77, while population has increased by
THEY 27.9%. The cost to each California citizen is up 90.27-50% above the national
use.
"Or to put it another way--if you are the head of an average family of four. you
will pay out nearly $250 this year as your share of the state's welfare load, nearly
double what it was eight years ago.
"Certainly there is a need for welfare. Nobody would advocate leaving the old.
the disabled, the families with children. or those in temporary distress to go hungry
05 be in want.
"I, for one, certainly suggest nothing like that.
"Indeed. I have advocated and I continue to advocate more, not less. help in our
aged and infirm so they might have not only the necessities, but also some of the
lewries that make life worth living.
"I think as the largest and the richest state in the union, we can do not less.
Indeed we have a moral obligation to do as much as possible.
"But it is ridiculous for the present administration to call on the people of
California to do more and more for those whose only desire is to do Iess and less.
If you don't believe it, let me point out that in Les Angeles county alone, in the
last three years, welfare fraud cases are up 110%.
"Even the Governor, now that an election year has arrived, seems to have
in
this conclusion. In fact, all of a sudden his speeches on welfare are sounding an
avial lot like mine. and here I've been thinking all this time he was raping every-
thing I said in a hunt for possible slips. I'll resist the temptation to think pur-
haps I'm wen a convert.
"He's saved me at least one bit of trouble. He's fired his Welfare Director and
received the resignation of another top welfare worker who is his own compaign memor
sister.
"But it's positble his reaches sound femiliar because velive heard :-
-3-
517
-11 years, and hope we won't he 10016d by his election year reforms. the's
pent eight years building a wellare bureaucracy. New we are supposed 1.1 believe ::
do in four what he failed to do in the last eight. Just the other day h: 544
conference that 'I never change my mind' which means that four more years el
his administration would mean four more years of reckless welfare spending--and no
change in a welfare system whose only present purpose seems to be to perpetuate the
Adole and build a political machine.
"The Governor promised once before to to something about the situation and
did. He made it worse.
"There were once four separate state departments dealing with welfare. the
departments of Public Health, Social Welfare, Mental Hygiene and Rehabilitation
"These have many overlapping Constions and each competes with the other for Contain
For case Toads that will continue to justify their existence. For example, it
vencies alt have programs for dealing with alcoholism. mental retardation. material
ed child malth, dental health. data processing, etc.
"The Governor, as I said, decided to do something about this situation. Us
Fished 1 super agency. the Agency of Health and Welfare. to coordinate the reparts
Functions of the four departments.
"It vas a great theory. but all it did was add another layer of burcaucrari
:
our welfare programs. I change that it has neither condinated not internet
reviews and functions of the four departments. And indeed. IS in the 0197 AS
oursely usurped some functions of the other departments,
"The obvious solution. which T would propose as Governor. is to herealt
late a single agency. Sometimes in Viems we old Governor's queque :
= males government more complex and less efficient.
"Sheefits of such conselidation are service at reduced
"Moder this ininistr. coanty vali address Free been
-4-
of paperwor! as huge amounts of regulatory material pour in unending
State Department of Welfare 10 county offici Js. Surrently they are :..
and undered by 22 procedure and program manuals and record handbooks--enough 10 1111
fo bookshelf.
"Such a situation makes sense only to an old and Fired administration more income
ested in providing soft-jobs for hecks and eronies and relatives than in serving 02
people.
"IL is a situation that can be remedied. Better service can be provided :
Letter results can be obtained at a reduced cost to the taxpayer by a Governor
states those results. And this Governor would want them.
"Let K. make some suggestion, none new, but all ignored.
"First, we could and should increase allowable [amily income to truly
netigh to keep up with increasing costs of living.
"Decreased costs in this area would more than be offset by increased savings in
areas.
"For Instance. there would be no welfare for the uble-bodiad unless they :-
There to work at state jobs or to accept job training that would fit them in tal
terrie places AS productive members of society.
I
controald 00 LOAD savings by reducing and sumplifying procedur.
a clash willora PERKEEP instead of the seven provides
the Cal-Fiex Plan should be Landemented which would better allow country
Cos to meet their own particular problems.
impact. of $1, consistent I I have chick 11 The
canl turne-ful to the old Gov curr's any proposal to spend
funds En: job training-stat to the privite section of #:
Youte
with
01
Holl.
-5-
514
the could call this program 'JOB'--sloct for 'Job Opportunities Board'. !! is
patiened after a proven program. il program that has supplied more than 5,000 jobs
in Watts since last summer's tragic riots.
"
"Job Opportunities Boards would be job location and training centers Involving
government and private industry. These boned: would unite able-bodied persons on vot-
fare and would either provide for them sultanta craining, or in cases where there
some skills, would find them jobs.
"JOB would service as a coordinating center to receive information from business
and industry on job openings throughout the state.
"The state would help by providing information on welfare recipients and other
data. and data processing needs.
"Borson" in training would continue to receive velfare checks until that
the was completed,
"Such a program would have the added advantage of 0 providing needed workers to
Industries unable to fill the demand for skilled and sevi-skilled workers.
"A Job Opportunities Board would be a sample of the way most problems
order nation ARM being solved somewhere on the citizen level throughout 0.15 nation.
-0-
Name:
Since to Kaagen speaks from not , there THE chances in
However, Mr. Reigan will monad by i. above
9.27.65
Citizens Committee To Elect
RONALD REAGAN GOVERNOR
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Lyn Nofziger
Release: 10:00 a.m. September 29
EXCERPTS FROM SPEECH BY RONALD REAGAN
Rossmore Leisure World, Seal Beach, September 29
I have said before that there is nothing we Californians cannot do, that
we have the youngest, most talented, best educated people in the world here.
I am also aware that we have another group in our midst, a group that
at once constitutes one of our major assets and at the same time one of our greatest
responsibilities,
That group is our senior citizens, those Californians who have reached the
years of retirement but certainly should not be limited to a life of idleness.
Robert Browning has Rabbi Ben Ezra saying, "Grow old along with me. The
best is yet to be--the last of life for which the first was made."
Browning said that 100 years ago; today we seem to have forgotten that it
is the last of life for which the first was made.
All too often, when a man reaches 60 or 65 WC have considered that his
life's work is done; that WC can hand him a pension or a social security check and
retire him to the shuffle board courts, the park benches and the television set.
Now, I certainly do not mean to imply that a man should not be allowed to
retire at 60 or 65 or that a company does not have a right to set its own retirement
policies.
And neither do I mean to imply that a retired person should not, if he so
desires, watch television, lounge in the park or play shuffle board.
What I an saying is that many of our senior citizens are not ready for
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS: 3257 WILSHIPE BLVD., LOS ANGELES. CALIF. 90005 - Phone (213) 331-5771
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HEADQUARTERS: 46 KEARNY STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. 94103 - Phone (415) C92 3005
516
besmore Leisure World Excerpts page 2
graduation into a sedentary life just because they have retired. Many of them want
and need to feel useful, many of them would like and could usc the extra income work
after retirement could bring.
Senior citizens should not be second-class citizens.
To treat them as such is to dishonor them and to penalize our society.
The experience and the wisdom a man gains with age cannot be substituted for by youth
and vigor alone.
History is replete with the names of so-called senior citizens who rose to
greatness, did their best work or affected the course of history in their sunset
years.
Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected to a second term at the age of 66. Konrad
Adenauer led West Germany in his 80s. Chiang Kai-shek is building Free China in his
70s The philosopher George Santayana did his best work in his twilight years.
Winston Churchill leading Britain during the worst days of World War II was in his
60s, The names are legion.
And the numbers of senior citizens in California are also legion.
California has the largest number of senior citizens in the nation.
Which means we also have the biggest backlog of unused talent. As Governor
I would propose that we turn to this vast pool of talent to help solve the problems
facing this state.
Retired teachers, retired businessmen and women, retired professional
people could be used to help train and retrain those adults in our population who
have little or no education or job skills.
Many of our areas of labor shortage could be filled by still active and
ambitious senior citizens if the earnings limitation were removed from social
security
As Governor I would work through the Council of Governors and with all the
517
Rossmore Leisure World Excerpts
page 3
influence the Governor of the nation's largest state could bring to bear to see that
this was done.
Social security should not be treated as welfare but as insurance bought
and paid for by those on it. To tell them they cannot have what they have bought
and paid for except on the government's terms is morally wrong. To limit the income
of 2 nan who still wishes to work is wrong.
The earnings limitation is a discriminatory law which hurts those with
little money. Today when our society demands more skilled workers than we are able
to provide it is doubly wrong to deny society those skilled workers over 65 and to
deny those workers unlimited opportunity to supplement their social security income.
But we must do more than worry about those healthy, able bodied senior
citizens who still can contribute to our society, We must also take whatever action
is needed to assure those senior citizens who can no longer work, who have never had
the opportunity to put away a nest cgg, who may be sick or disabled, the right to
live in dignity, the right to have not only the necessities, but also some of the
luxuries of life.
To this end, as Governor I would also work to see what could be done to
persuado the Congress to extend social security to all those over 65. There is no
legitimate reason for government to force some segments of our population to
contribute to social security and at the same time refuse to allow others.
Every working man knows that unless something is done to reverse the upward
spiral of living costs he won't bc. able to make ends meet when he reaches retirement.
Our senior citizens already are feeling the pinch of prices that run constantly higher
while income remains nearly static. In 1949 social security paid a couple $68.40 a
month. Today that payment is $152.50. But this $152.50 actually buys less in the
grocery store and the clothing store and elsewhere than the $68.40 did seventee
years ago.
518
Ressore Leisure World Excerpts
page 4
This situation can be remedied in only one way. And I would work to see
if the Congress could also be persuaded to provide a built-in cost of living clause
in the social security law. Many unions have such clauses in their contracts. Why
should the elderly have less?
Until such time as social security is expanded to cover all our senior
citizens the state of California must take the lead in assuring that those not
covered are treated with the same dignity and consideration.
The old Governor does not think so. Not long ago in an effort to compensate
for the increased cost of living social security added a few dollars to each check.
California Old Age Assistance cut its payments by the same amount thus cancelling
out the raise to our senior citizens who receive checks from both programs. A
delegation of senior citizens made the journey to Sacramento hoping to discuss the
problem with the Governor. Indignant that someone should question his wisdon, he
stalked angrily out of his office and refused to see them.
A new Governor would insist that recipients of State Old Age Assistance
also be treated with dignity and respect, also be paid enough to keep up with the
rising inflation and also be given relief from the frequent and humiliating means
of investigations to which they are now subjected.
There are other places where a concerned Governor--a Governor concerned
with the welfare of all the people--could lead in such a way as to make life easier
and more confortable for our senior citizens.
For example action must be taken to insure that the homes these people
baught in their working years are not taken from them in their non-productive years
through confiscatory property taxes.
Although recreation and adult education fall largely under the responsibil-
ities of local governmental units, I feel strongly that both adult education and
recreation should be oriented to a greater extent than now toward our senior citizens.
519
Ressmore Leisure World Excerpts
page 5
Many senior citizens are still anxious to learn. Many others are equipped
to teach and to lead in these areas.
Parks and playgrounds should be not just for the young but also for the
young at heart and for those who prefer the quiet of the out of doors to the blare
of the radio or television.
The administration of a new Governor would turn to the elderly to see what
their needs and desires are, how best the state, working with the cities and the
counties and school districts and the private sector of our economy could make the
best use and reap the most benefit from our senior citizens while at the same time
assuring them freedom from the worry of want and the discouragement of idleness in
their sunset years.
####
9.29.66
NOTE: Since Mr. Reagan speaks from notes there may be changes in this text.
However, he will stand by the above quotes.
4t.
10.23
San francisco
520
Now, I have never (and you might be surprised to learn this) suggested that
a tree is a tree and urged the woodman not to spare the ax. There are few prob-
lems that are of more concern to more people or more difficult of solution than
the preservation of the very nature of our state. Obviously, we can't preserve
every foot of the pastoral scene and continue to provide living space for a popu=
lation increase that is double the national average. But we must oppose those
who would fill and PENEXIX level and pave everything in the name of progress.
views
At the same time, there are the fun of those who would preserve inviolate
completely - and those who would conserve/some of our wilderness, still allow-
ing for development for recreational use, and their differences must be reconciled
because *kay there is a place for both.
Now, our party's platform recognizes this problem, and as a matter of fact,
it's part of the heritage of our party. Twenty-two RI of the thirty-two national
parks in this country -- three of the four in California -- came into being under
administrations of our party.
Leadership is needed to form an effective regional body among the
two California and three Nevada counties in the Tahoe Basin to protect the beauty
of the Basin and the very purity of the lake itself. This will require the coopera-
tion of our state and our administration with the government of Nevada. It will
require, also, some control of our own highway department, which sometimes seems
all too guided by the devotion to the principal of the shortest distance between
two points.
Right now at Lake Is Tahoe there was a threat of E four or six-lane highway
along the west shore of that lake, and I doubt if this can be accomplished without
destroying a great deal of the sylvan beauty of that area.
Our redwoods are a problem, and thanks to our public-spirited citizens in the
past, we have preserved almost in toto the remaining groves of what can be called
the truly virgin stamba stands of big trees.
We have some 115,000 acres in 28 state parks scattered over 500 miles from
ONWEALTH
-2-
===
Oregon border south. Now it's true that I have opposed the present suggestions
for the creation of a national park because I believe as these have been proposedx--
first of all, they are unnecessary for the preservation of these redwoods which
now are preserved in our park areas, but I believe they would be destructive to
the economy of the area. As a matter of fact, a few years ago our state legislature
made a proposal that if a national park should come into that redwood area it should
envision being created without the taking of more privately-held land but should make
use of the more than 50% of the area that is presently owned by the Federal govern-
ment including also our own state-held land in those parts.
But now I believe a proposal for a national park has been made that, in prin-
ciple, all of us should look at with the idea that this could solve that problem.
If we have a national park in the area it should be for the right purpose. It
should be to open up that area to tourism, to have the national promotion that
would help and that would give this area more than the single principle economy it
now has.
And Congressman Don Claussen has made a proposal that envisions a national
park bigger than either # of those that have been proposed presently in Washington.
It involves the trading and the exchanging of Federal and state lands and park
lands we k now have , and it envisions a park that will preserve not only the red-
woods but that will add into it open recreational areas, lagoons, streams, mountain-
sides and many miles of rugged beach and ocean frontage. And while no one at this
point can claim to have looked at the plan enough to endorse it completely in detail,
I do believe this is the common sense answer to the problem that confronts us of
preserving both the economy of a an area and preserving the great natural heritage
that none of us want to see destroyed.
This entire problem of open space and recreation outdoorse calls for imagina-
tion and a willingness on the part of a state administration to innovate. For
example, we should look at the possibilities of using tax incentives, because it's
not just the area of great outdoor wilderness areas where people must pack up and
move in and Spend the time there. There is a shortage in all of our urban areas
WEALTH
-3-
522
today, and as we continue to grow, for that kind of open space where someone can
go in $ a few moments or a short period from their home, just for a few hours out
on green grass beneath the trees, to have a picnic, to sit there and just be out
in the quiet and the beauty of nature. And I don't believe that it's always
essential that this be acceptst accomplished by the acquisition of land by govern-
ment.
I believe there is a possibility of leasing. I believe there is a possibility,
not yet. explored, of using tax incentives to induce builders and make it
their
economical and practical for them to design their tracts and/ suburban areas. and
provide open spaces. Some are already doing it, but we could make it more possible
for others to do it and to fallock follow that pattern.
I believe that more consideration should be given to the freeway routes
through our cities, and I believe that we should be allowed to have committees in
our cities (including some of the great architects that we can muster) to present
views to the Highway Commission - again, contrary to the straightest or the shortest
distance between two points --- views that will take into consideration the esthetic
values of the community in which we live. I just don't believe that anyone in
Sacramento knows as well as the people in San Francisco where a freeway should go
tha
through San Francisco.
But now when we talk conservation, there's another kind of conservation I'd
like to touch upon. I'd like to touch upon human conservation.
PAGES 523-537
ARE MISSING
THE ORIGINAL COPY WAS TO FAINT TO DUPLICATE
SUBJECT:
ADDRESS TO:
DATE:
QUISTION 1: What do
538
the Number One exchism
the state to you
and to do about solving in
N:
No
pubblem
as
been
the
face
the
to
to
easing
carrying more than he
posed by local government
to do something to
QUESTION 3: Do you believe
"I have pledged
The
of the legislature with
that there should be a law putting
age which will achieve
112 celling on property taxes?
REAGAN:
BROWN:
"There are many mayor problems lacing California
"The only proposal advanced for such 2 ceiling is
today: Crime, the cort of
government
and
the
high
ax
that of Assessor Watson and I do not favor it for this sim-
rate. smog, educations
lociems
bits
involved
in
all
3
pie reason: it would not bring immediate relief to the tax-
these is eight years
failure
in
payer because it would have to wait on. among other
think that that lack of lawiership is the Number One
things. an amendment of the Constitution in 1063, and
problem in the state they 25 to has been since 1958 I
then would be phased in over a period of years.
would propose, as governor. to offer the kind of leader-
"I prefer immediate property tax relief and that is
ship needed to serve our problems. to put our state on 2
what I have proposed as a part of my comprehensive tax
sound fiscal basis and to restore the confidence of our
reform program. In the field of school support alone, I
people in their state government.'
propose that we lift $200 million in education COSTS from
the shoulders of the property taxpayer
QUESTION 3; Are you in favor
"And : have pledzed to fight for return to California
of 37 rapid system for the
each
3
in
Federally
Greeter Los cros? 17 10,
That
:
of
the
it is
what
culitn
lest
32
fultun
properly
the
green
is
REAGAN:
speed
up
of
such
at
"I am not sure that a law putting a celling on proper-
system?
ty taxes is the answer to the problem since higher 25-
BROWN:
sessed valuations on always be used to raise Taxes no
matter what the tax limit might be. The answer to the
"This has been a top priority of my administration.
property tax problem is to shift some of the tax burden
Relentless population growth gives us no choice but to
proceed with the finest most extensive freeway system in
from property to other more equipable sturces of revenue.
America. But freeways alone are not the answer. If they
As governor I would initiate a study leading to a complete
are not coupled with modern. efficient mass transit in
overhaul of California's entire TEX system."
our major urban areas. we will face mounting congestion,
air pollution and destruction of scenic resources.
Providing such a system in Los Angeles or any other
major city is primarily a responsibility of local govern-
ment and requires vigorous local leadership But the gov.
ernor can and should help And have done so.
"I strongly supported the Metropolitan Transit Au-
therity and led the move to create the Southern Califor-
nia
Transit
when
the
need
for
a
new
struc-
ture MRS demonstrated
in
the
1086
legisla-
ture
=
source
for Los Angeles mass
transi
330 in short-
term
revenues. allowing the
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540
QUISTION 6: The states rele
in paying C: harsenlings of local
school 00313 has
in the use? TO yours 13
fion of local school
the same time the
10
more
:-: schools.
()
should be the
eveen local SCHOOL
state-fiscrilly and D.
BROWN:
QUESTION 7: Has this state
The question implies that there has been 2
gone as for as it on in its Hight to
change in state contribution
to
the simply is not the case
curb smog? Can smog be elimi-
In the last 20 years the STRIP share
nated in this decade?
ranced between 41 and : per
BROWN:
In only two pelloris.
1047
and
C
utional
No. We have gone farther than any other state and
tax: share to around +7 per
has
the
stare
farther than the federal government. We are the
changed appreciably
state that spends more than 31 million a year on research
During my term of office The have more than
and control and each year I have requested more funns
bled the state's assistance:to
eye.
than legislature has granted. We were the first to 33-
remarkable effort has
the
tablish local air pollution control districts: we
the state's share to cure the :
nine Cf them covering 14 counties. We were the its
payer.
create an air pollution research center: ours uses
That is why There pledged
great facilities of the University of California
islature a program
state
And we were the first state to
50 per cent and
for
every
Regarding
This vigorous action
off
to keeping
:-
sands of tons of film out of our skies
day
all Calliorni
Here are rite things I
have a sound education.
First the federal government should order all COS
offices.
Within
that
to
allow
in
government
and
thats greater freedom in
honor our state and Incal control
: supported a bill to that
the
Second we shortly will begin mer
the legislature and why I will even
all 53 counties to determine how clean the or
reaching legislation next
what is polluting it. This will give us 1
which to forge controls. We are urging the
REAGAN:
ernment to do the same thing on a national
Third, we have prevailed 0.1 the
Bastbally I believe the state must pay at least 50
ern California and the University of Calify to
cent
bilthe
COST of op
of
This
training of men and women DO
trad
commendable action needs to be
icles
began
)_)
per
ed to other schools
sottle Atline
Fourth, the development
more
systems will do a great deal = reduce smog
peal whe
its major sources: 1
on
tinue
to
push
Can smog be eliminated debettal
"No,
not
entirely.
The
n.)
SOUTCES
3
Our grea
ment 00
number
power
and
fuel
things
But
pollution to levels
damage
REAGAN
arease
PAGES 540 to END
ARE MISSING
THE ORIGINAL COPY WAS TO FAINT TO DUPLICATE
SUBJECT:
ADDRESS TO:
DATE:
541
RENALD REAGAN STATEMENT ON STRICTER FIREARMS CONTROL
"I don't think that the control of firearms has to do with this (sniper
shooting of 8/1 at Austin, Texas). We've seen--even where you have such
controls, such as the Sullivan Act in New York--the wrong person can always
get ahold of a weapon if he wants to. I don't mind telling you that while
I certainly want every provision that can be made to try and keep the wrong
person from getting a gun, such as a known inmate of a mental institution
being able to come out and in 24 hours acquire a weapon--I think we have to
have that kind of protection. I think we have to have protection with regard
to minors getting guns, such as mail-order and so-forth. But I would resist
any effort along the lines that have been properal proposed by
some, that 2nd would take from the American punpka his Constitutional
and historic right to own and possess from firearms. I'm opposed to that.
I am opposed to registration in the broad sense of all firearms because
in every dictator-run country where there's been a take -over such as in
Hitler's Germany and in Russia, it's been proved that it is very easy
to render the populace harmless by simply going down a registration file
and confiscating the guns, and I'm opposed."
--Press Conference, 8/2/66, Los Angeles