I was always against the idea of splitting the state. The fact that geographically it's a long state, there's always this argument, south versus north. But we stopped that argument. I was sick and tired [of it], because the Central Valley is one of the most important places in California. It feeds the world. The agriculture there is a $38-billion business. That has to be in the equation.
We have Northern California and Southern California and Central California -- it's all one California. [It] has to stay together. That's where the power is.
What point would you like to make that I didn't ask you?
The important thing with my job that I've had for the last seven years is, you have to have passion, you have to have vision and you have to have the guts to go in there and do the things that you want to do. You can't be afraid. You have to recognize very quickly that political risk-taking is not political suicide. You've got to serve the people, not the party. You've got to serve the people and not the special interests. You've got to keep that always in mind, no matter what you do.
Are you going to Gov.-elect Brown's inauguration on Monday?
I will definitely be there, out of respect for the next governor. I want to show my support for the administration; I want to show to the people of California that I believe in continuity. For me, the state is the most important thing. I will do everything that I can to make sure the state goes in the right direction.
latimes.com/pattasks.
