Taking a page from the successful “Contract with America” thirty years ago, chairman of Reform California and Assemblymember-elect Carl DeMaio today unveiled a Contract to Reform California — a 10-point agenda that offers bold proposals to fix the state’s pressing problems. On December 2, 2024 — his first day in office — DeMaio plans to introduce 10 legislative proposals to advance the agenda.
“Exactly 30 years ago, the Contract with America catapulted Republicans from what was thought to be a permanent minority to a governing majority in the US Congress and ushered in an era of common-sense reform on national issues," said DeMaio. "The 2024 election shows California voters are hungry for change, but to satisfy that demand, California Republicans must unite and commit to a comprehensive and common-sense reform package to fix the problems causing so many to flee our state."
The Contract with America was a plan advanced by Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and House Republicans in the 1994 midterm election, which promised specific legislation on government reform and gave Republicans control of the House for the first time in 40 years. In California, Republicans have been in the minority in the Legislature for nearly 30 years — and are in a similar position to offer voters a change in the state.
"The Contract to Reform California is a pledge to enact specific and detailed legislation to address the biggest problems facing our state — including reducing cost of living, reforming schools, balancing the budget, combatting crime, securing the border, reducing homelessness, restoring election integrity, and holding state politicians accountable," said DeMaio.
These issues are what DeMaio refers to as "70% plus" ideas — or policies that around 70% of the population agrees with. He points to the category of combatting crime as an example, where in the 2024 election conservatives backed Prop 36 to increase drug and theft penalties — and it passed with 69% of the vote and majority support in all of California's 58 counties.
DeMaio says Prop 36 offers a blueprint for more popular reforms in the future — reforms in the Contract to Reform California.
"If our Democratic colleagues won’t join us in advancing these reforms over the next two years, then we should be prepared to present our Contract to Reform California directly to the voters in the 2026 election,” said DeMaio.
DeMaio's Contract to Reform California aims to pass the following bill package:
- Cost of Living Reduction Act: California’s cost-of-living crisis was caused by insane regulations and high taxes imposed by our price-gouging politicians. This law would provide each middle-class family with $2,500 in cost-of-living relief rebates annually — as well as suspend all state taxes and fees on gas and utilities until politicians reform state policies that spike costs. Once this model is proven successful in driving down energy and utility costs, it would be expanded to reduce costs in home insurance, housing, and healthcare. If we want politicians to address the cost crisis, we have to force them to pay the price — not our families!
- Taxpayer Protection Act: This measure limits the ability of politicians to raise taxes — and prohibits them from imposing a new Mileage Tax, Exit Tax, or Wealth Tax — or increasing Gas or Car Taxes. The measure also restores a two-thirds vote requirement on local special tax increases and requires honest ballot titles with a “Tax Increase” warning be placed on any ballot measure that increases taxes.
- Balanced Budget Accountability Act: We must balance the budget without tax hikes and cuts in important services. This measure would lead to a responsible consensus by requiring a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature to pass the budget — or impose or increase taxes or fees. The measure would also reduce expense by cutting then capping total annual labor costs and imposing competitive sourcing reforms on all state agencies.
- Education Choice and Parental Empowerment Act: The only way to truly empower parents is to give them financial freedom to choose the best school for their child. This law would provide $13,000 annually in education vouchers for every student — starting with middle-class and low-income families and then expanding the program.
- Homelessness Reduction Act: This law would end the corrupt and wasteful “Housing First” homeless model currently used and replace it with a “People First” model, which will redirect funds to programs that require mental health and substance abuse treatment to address the root causes of homelessness. The law would also prioritize expansion of shelter beds over permanent supportive housing, impose work requirements on individuals receiving assistance, and require the removal of homeless camps near schools and in public areas. Developers that give campaign contributions would be barred from receiving funds.
- End Reckless Release of Criminals Act: Passage of Prop 36 was just the first step in combatting the rising crime wave in California — we must also end “reckless release” of criminals across our state. This law would prohibit the early release of violent criminal and repeat offenders by repealing provisions of Prop 57 and prohibiting the placement of Sexually Violent Predators (SVPs) in residential communities. The law would also require mental health evaluations and referrals to proper treatment in any release decisions.
- California Secure Borders Act: This law combats illegal immigration and helps secure the border by repealing the Sanctuary State law (SB 54 -2017) and ending taxpayer-funded handouts to illegal immigrants for welfare, healthcare, housing, travel, and other services. The law also provides for cross-deputization training of local law enforcement to support federal border security actions and provides standards for deployment of the national guard to the border.
- Voter ID and Election Integrity Act: The biggest threat to democracy is the loss of confidence in the integrity of our elections. Starting with the 2026 election, this law requires a government-issued ID to vote, strengthens citizenship verification of voter registrations, requires audits of voter lists to ensure they are properly maintained, imposes penalties on counties that fail to count ballots on time, and enhances signature reviews on ballots.
- Punish Unconstitutional Actions Act: California politicians have developed a bad habit of repeatedly imposing laws and orders that are blatantly unconstitutional — just to score political points while depriving citizens of their rights and forcing them to bear the upfront legal costs to regain them. This law would penalize the Governor who signs and any legislator who votes for a law that is later found to be unconstitutional in federal courts with a 25% cut in their annual state compensation for each offense.
- Cut the Politicians’ Perks Act: California politicians have granted themselves lavish perks and exemptions from state laws they impose on regular citizens. This law would ban politicians from accepting gifts or trading in individual stocks; impose a lifetime lobbying ban; eliminate exemptions for the Legislature from labor, workplace, and public record laws; and eliminate pensions for local elected officials.
By the numbers, the Contract to Reform California would mean:
- $2,500 Annual cost-of-living relief rebates
- $13,000 Annual education vouchers for each child
- 2/3rds Vote requirement for approving the state budget
- 5% Immediate labor cost reduction in state budget
- 25% Cut in pay for politicians who impose unconstitutional laws or mandates
- $0: A ban on gifts for politicians, and end to handouts to illegal immigrants
DeMaio encourages the public to support the Contract to Reform California by sharing it with friends and family and contributing to the campaign.
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