The economy is in dire straits.  Food costs have skyrocketed, people are losing their homes and their health care insurance, many banks are no longer lending, good jobs have been outsourced, and gas prices keep rising. The average American today makes $7,000 less than he did in the 1970s. We must reverse the partisan, do-nothing, legislative sessions of the past few years and take immediate action to solve our state's most pressing needs. The next legislative session could help move California to the top of the world's Green industry or lead us inexorably toward second-class economic status. 

To get the economy moving again, Dominic Caserta proposes:

• A $10 billion-dollar Green Bond Measure, akin to the Stem Cell Research Bond. The bond would increase and speed up research and development of renewable resources,. including solar, wind, geothermal and biofuels, as well as hydrogen motor development for vehicles (cars, ships, etc.) and electric cars.
• Creating a statewide career tech/green job training program to prepare the youth of our state for employment in the New Green Economy. The program would work in concert with the public education system.
• Increasing the number of organic farms in the state through subsidies, thereby decreasing the cost for consumers and helping make California a nationwide leader in organic farming.
• Raising the minimum wage, then tying it to COLA, to make it more of a living wage. The state can offer tax credits to help small businesses through the transition.
• Using tax credits and subsidies to encourage companies to reduce outsourcing, unfair trade practices and bad environmental practices.
• Increasing research-and-development tax credits for high-tech companies, especially those who hire Californians and those who invest in the state instead of building facilities in other states or countries.

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