november 2022 VOTER GUIDE
CONTROLLER
What is the State Controller?
The Controller writes the checks for state government, approximately 49 million of them a year for employee pay, retiree payments, Medi-Cal, personal income tax refunds, and vendor payments
Responsible for auditing various state and local government programs, informing the public of the state’s financial condition
They serve on 78 state boards and commissions including public land management, crime victim compensation, and finance and oversight authorities
Controller serves up to two four-year terms
The salary and benefits of this full-time position total $217,000 per year
Why You Should Care
They are essentially the state’s chief fiscal officer—this is an obscure position, but that’s precisely what it’s intended to be. The person occupying this position should be a boring bureaucrat with an eye for detail and who is keen on finances.
Our Vision for the Office
The Controller should be someone who is fiscally responsible and has demonstrated solid budgetary skills.
Malia Cohen
Why vote for her: Malia Cohen is a current member of the Board of Equalization and a former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, where she served two terms as the District 10 Supervisor. Cohen is adept at navigating San Francisco’s challenging political landscape and has taken on tough political fights against such notorious opponents as the tobacco and soda industries. While she may not be the most experienced in being a financial controller, her opponent is a Republican tied to the national GOP stage and anti-choice players. Given our national political landscape, it is imperative we do not elect someone aligned with those values.
Paid for by TogetherSF Action. Not authorized by any candidate or a committee controlled by a candidate. Financial disclosures are available at sfethics.org.
Follow along on Instagram
