The son of a teacher and an accountant, Eric learned early that education and financial security provide the foundation for opportunity. His father taught him that responsible budgeting is not about saying no to everything. It is about making smart choices so you have the resources to invest in what matters most.

That is how Eric governed during his seven years on the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council (2017 to 2024). He and the Council reduced taxes, responded to a pandemic, managed a historic landslide emergency, and invested in the community's future, all while maintaining a balanced budget every single year. California state government could use more of that approach.

What Eric Delivered

Balanced Budgets Through Real Crises

Rancho Palos Verdes maintained structurally balanced General Fund budgets throughout Eric's seven years on the Council, including through the COVID-19 pandemic and the Portuguese Bend landslide emergency. In Fiscal Year 2021-22, General Fund revenues exceeded budget projections by 22%, reflecting strong fiscal management during the post-pandemic recovery.

Strong Reserves for When It Matters

The city maintained reserves equal to 50% of estimated General Fund revenues. That fiscal cushion meant that when the landslide struck, Eric and the Council could act immediately, waiving fees, securing emergency resources, and standing up financial assistance programs, without borrowing or raising taxes. That is what reserves are for.

Recognized for Financial Excellence

During Eric's tenure, the city consistently received the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, a national standard for transparency and accountability in managing public dollars.

Lower Taxes, Same Quality Services

Eric and the Council took a disciplined approach to taxes throughout his time on the Council:

• Suspended inflation-based annual increases on all business license taxes from 2017 through 2025, for both in-city and out-of-city businesses.

• Reduced in-city business taxes to $0 from 2020 through 2025 through the Small Business Assistance Program for businesses with gross receipts under $1.5 million.

• Reduced annual business taxes for home-based businesses to $0 from 2020 through 2025.

• ·Set lighting district assessment renewals at $0 from 2017 through 2025.

• ·Maintained the utility users tax at 3%, among the lowest of any major city in the South Bay.

• Placed no new tax measures on the ballot during Eric's entire seven years on the Council.

All while continuing to deliver the public safety, infrastructure, and community programs residents depend on. Responsible budgeting made that possible.

Transparency So Residents Can See for Themselves

Eric believes residents have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent. The city supported comprehensive monthly financial reporting through its OpenGov platform, giving residents real-time access to fund balances, revenues, and expenditures. When people can see where every dollar goes, government works better.

What Eric Will Bring to the State Senate

California has swung between massive surpluses and painful deficits, and too often the burden falls on families and communities that can least afford it. Eric will bring the discipline and accountability he brought to City Hall:

Demand accountability for public spending. Over $500 million in homelessness funding in Los Angeles has gone unspent because of poor planning and outdated systems. That is not a budget problem, it is a management problem. Eric will push for stronger oversight, clearer metrics, and real consequences when public money is not used effectively.

Protect South Bay families from bearing the cost of shortfalls. California is the world's fourth-largest economy. Eric believes the state should find responsible revenue solutions, not cut Medi-Cal, education, and services for seniors and vulnerable communities to close budget gaps.

Invest in prevention because it costs less. Whether it is wildfire prevention, health care, or homelessness, Eric saw on the Council that smart investments upfront cost a fraction of what gets spent on emergency responses. The same principle applies at the state level.

Bring transparency to state spending. The same real-time financial reporting implemented in Rancho Palos Verdes should be the standard statewide. Californians deserve to see where their tax dollars go.

Grow the economy so the state is not choosing between services and solvency. Reduce barriers for small businesses, invest in workforce training, and bring entertainment and creative industry jobs back to California. A growing economy generates revenue without raising taxes.