How Matt Mahan Thinks He Can Save California

Massive spending with negative returns

California increased state spending by 75%—an additional $150 billion annually—over six years without improving education, housing, or public safety metrics, with many outcomes actually declining.

Incentives over income

The state does not have a money problem but an accountability problem, featuring a structure that continuously funds failure without requiring performance measurement.

Ignored audits

75% of recommendations from the state auditor are never implemented, revealing a total absence of feedback loops for taxpayer dollars.

High-speed rail money pit

The project consumed $14 billion over 20 years without delivering a product, with funds vacuumed up by consultants, environmental reviews, litigation, and bureaucratic process.

Litigation bottleneck

California's environmental review process allows anyone—including non-residents—to sue under CEQA, creating years of delays that paralyze construction and inflate costs.

Housing fees

Local development fees alone can add 20% to housing costs, bureaucratizing construction to the point where increased spending directly reduces housing production.

Union dominance

Public sector unions are Sacramento's largest political spenders, defending a status quo where politicians cave to demands for less accountability rather than serving constituents.

Organized vs. unorganized

Well-resourced lobbying operations override public needs, creating a system where Mississippi and Louisiana outperform California in low-income student literacy despite the state's progressive resources.

Legalized corruption

Elected officials prioritize campaign donors and organized interests over outcomes, creating systemic dysfunction where the incentive is to pass bills rather than solve problems.

Outcome-based governance

Without raising taxes, San Jose reduced unsheltered homelessness by one-third and became the safest big city in America by cutting failing programs and streamlining processes.

Public goal-setting

Publishing measurable targets allows voters to hold officials accountable rather than accepting performative bill-passing as legislative success.

Process reduction

Eliminating ineffective programs and reducing housing fees freed resources to fund efficient solutions that deliver tangible infrastructure and safety results.