Sacramento
County's
District
Attorney
makes
the
case
for
Meg
Whitman


Jan Scully, District Attorney, Sacramento County

FlashReport
January 29, 2010

A few months ago, I endorsed Meg Whitman to be the next Governor of California. It wasn’t just a
political endorsement; it was an endorsement of her vision for California. I want to share with you
why I feel so strongly about Meg and her vision for our state.

I met Meg Whitman under difficult circumstances. A small group of law enforcement leaders met
with her to talk about a dangerous ballot initiative that, had it passed, would devastate public
safety in California. Proposition 5, or as it was better known – the Drug Dealers Bill of Rights – was
leading in the polls and, according to pollsters, a near certainty to pass. Our campaign to defeat
the measure was short on money and even shorter on time.

Meg wanted to learn about the measure, hear from us about why it was harmful, and then asked
us what she could do to help. And help she did. When Meg decided to get involved to stop
Proposition 5, she wasn’t talking about a token effort. Meg invested $250,000 in California’s public
safety community and helped us turn the tide. She didn’t accept that we couldn’t win. She believed
in us, and together we won.

Over the course of our conversations, I found that Meg shared my views on public safety – that we
need a balanced approach to fighting crime.

But what’s going on today tips the balance too far in favor of criminals and underscores why we
need new leadership in Sacramento. Citing the budget deficit, this week state prison officials began
offering convicted felons new ways to shorten their sentences. Parolees, in some cases, won’t have
to bother checking in with parole agents. Even if they violate their parole agreements, there is a
good chance they won’t go back to prison. Under no circumstances should we ever use the budget
as an excuse to jeopardize the public’s safety.

To address prison overcrowding, a serious problem in our state, Meg recognizes we need to build
new prisons. And if elected, she will demand that the federal government accept fiscal
responsibility for incarcerating the 19,000 prisoners who illegally entered our country.

On the front end, Meg believes an improved public education system and results-oriented early
intervention programs that foster good behavior are critical to our goal of stopping crime before it
happens.

On the back end, Meg understands the devastation crime causes to victims and communities. Meg
wants to make certain justice is delivered quickly and fairly when crime occurs. This is why she
strongly supports California’s “Three Strikes and You’re Out Law” for habitual felons and opposes
any attempts to weaken our sentencing laws. And for those criminals who commit the most
heinous and premeditated homicides, she believes in the swift enforcement of the death penalty.

I’ve known Meg for more than a year now. While I was impressed with her strong stance on public
safety, I have been keenly interested in how a CEO, who had never run for office, would prepare
herself for California’s top government job. Sure, Meg’s education and professional experience is
impressive, but I still wanted to learn more before making an endorsement.

What I’ve discovered is that Meg is not a businessperson, turned candidate, but rather she
addresses issues with the same approach that made her a successful businesswoman. She has a
huge appetite for listening and learning about issues and – more importantly – understanding how
public policies have real world consequences. She’s immersed herself in how government works
and how she can effect change in government - with the legislature, through the use of
appointments and executive powers, and by the initiative process.

Meg also uses a phrase – “save to invest” - which I love. Her philosophy is that a more efficient
government that seeks to save taxpayer dollars will have more resources to invest in public
priorities. Meg intends to save and invest in job creation, infrastructure, education and public
safety.

Meg Whitman believes in California and knows we can overcome the problems some think are
insurmountable. Our budget is a mess; she’s managed large and complex organizations.
Unemployment is at a near record high; she has helped create millions of jobs. Our schools are
underperforming; Meg understands the importance of great public schools that will reduce criminal
behavior and deliver opportunities for all of California’s children.

Meg Whitman is the clear choice for anyone who wants government to act differently, to stop the
partisan bickering and start delivering public services efficiently and effectively. She’s proven
herself in some of the most challenging environments and excelled at eBay, Hasbro, Disney, FTD
and Procter & Gamble.

She is consistent, she is real and she is ready. That’s why Meg Whitman has my support for
Governor. I hope she will have yours too.

Paid
for
by
Meg
Whitman
for
Governor
2010


20813
Stevens
Creek
Blvd,
Suite
150

Cupertino,
CA
95014

www.megwhitman.com