Great companies invest for the future, even in difficult times. California should follow their example. These investments will improve our economic competitiveness and bring hope and a better quality of life to California families.

California spends $600 per pupil less than the national average on K-12 education and $3,000 less than Massachusetts, which is a major competitor in technology and innovation. We rank 30th among states and our ranking will fall rapidly unless funding is increased. While money is not the only issue facing K-12 education, more money is part of the answer to developing the workforce we need and the hope for a better education that California children deserve.

Community college enrollment is falling as classes are cancelled. UC campuses have returned applications unopened. The CSU system is unable to accept all eligible high school graduates. And the number of eligible students will rise by at least 20 percent in the coming decade! Access to public higher education has been a foundation of California's economic competitiveness and now it is being eroded by lack of funds. How can this be good policy for the economy or California families?

California regularly ranks in the bottom 10 percent of states for investing in infrastructure. Yet, every business group and every study has called for increased investment. Why should a business invest in California if California is not willing to invest in itself? How can we compete for the best and the brightest if our education and infrastructure investment is not first class?

I do not agree that legislators who increased investments in education and infrastructure were "spending addicts." I think their main objective was to move the state forward -- providing a firm foundation for the economy and offering hope to California families. These are good objectives. I hope you can embrace them and realize your dream of being a governor for all Californians.

If you embrace investing for our future, finding the resources may be easier than you think. Spendable incomes will be higher next year than before the recession for most California families, spurred by a better economy and several federal and state tax cuts. And our wealth is growing strongly, led by record home prices and a surging stock market. We are only awaiting the political leadership and will to make these critical investments.