November 4th, 2003

SCHWARZENEGGER ANNOUNCES DONNA ARDUIN AS DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Governor-elect Schwarzenegger today announced that he will appoint Donna Arduin as his Director of Finance.

"I have a great deal of confidence in Donna's ability to bring state spending under control and find cost savings in the state budget as we work to strengthen California's economy," said Schwarzenegger.

The first action Schwarzenegger took upon being elected governor of California was to appoint Arduin as an independent auditor to assess the state of California's treasury. Her audit is being independently reviewed by a bi-partisan committee.

Arduin has been serving as the Director for the Florida Office of Policy and Budget since January 1999, where she formulated the governor's policy recommendations and negotiated with the legislature to enact his budget policies.

Arduin served in similar positions in the states of New York and Michigan. She was successful in helping Governor Pataki turn a $5 billion budget deficit into a $1 billion budget surplus, and in Michigan she worked with Governor Engler to eliminate the state's $700 million budget deficit by reducing state spending and cutting taxes.

A graduate of Duke University, Arduin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and public policy. She has worked in New York and Tokyo in the private financial markets.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve in Governor Schwarzenegger's administration. I share his views that we must bring state spending under control and restore integrity to California's budget process," said Arduin.

Arduin's audit will be reviewed by former State Controller Kathleen Connell, former State Treasurer Tom Hayes and Cato Institute Senior Fellow Stephen Moore.

Arduin's appointment requires Senate confirmation. Arduin is a Republican.