DAVIS — The following University of California, Davis, faculty members are available to comment on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's State of the State speech, priorities he outlined for his final year in office and his proposed 2010-11 state budget.

JOBS CREATION — Steven Currall, dean of the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, can comment on the governor’s proposed jobs initiative. Currall, past faculty co-director of the Institute of Technology at the London Business School, has research and teaching experience in the areas of innovation and emerging technologies. Contact: Steven Currall, Graduate School of Management, (530) 752-7366, scc@ucdavis.edu.

JOB CREATION AND EMPLOYMENT — Chris Benner, an expert on labor and employment issues, can discuss how technological changes affect employment patterns, including such issues as green jobs, information technology and globalization. Benner studies who gets access to new jobs and what skills are required, and how workforce development policies and community development strategies can increase employment opportunities, with a focus on alleviating poverty. Contact: Christopher Benner, Human and Community Development, (530) 574-7585, ccbenner@ucdavis.edu.

JOBS — Economics Professor Giovanni Peri has done extensive research on jobs creation and the California labor market and can comment on Gov. Schwarzenegger’s jobs proposal. Contact: Giovanni Peri, Economics, (530) 554-2304, gperi@ucdavis.edu.

BUDGET REFORM — Law Professor Chris Elmendorf, who co-authored a New York Times opinion piece on California’s chronic fiscal troubles, can offer perspective and insight on budget reforms the governor continues to seek. Elmendorf, who lists law and politics among his specialties, has suggested the public play a direct role in breaking budget stalemates. Contact: Chris Elmendorf, Law, (530) 752-5756, office; (415) 385-5781, cell; cselmendorf@ucdavis.edu.

TAX REFORM/HIGHER ED INITIATIVE — Law professor Dan Simmons, a specialist in tax law, can comment on Schwarzenegger's call for an overhaul of the state’s tax structure. Simmons was professor in residence in the Office of the Chief Counsel of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service from 1986 to 1987 and is co-author of "Federal Income Taxation of Business Organizations," among other books. He specializes in state and local tax policy and federal income taxation of business organizations and individuals. . Now serving as vice chair of the systemwide Academic Senate, Simmons also is intimately familiar with the UC’s budgetary travails. Contact: Dan Simmons, Law,(510)987-9303, UCOP; (530) 752-2757, UC Davis office; Daniel.Simmons@ucop.edu; dlsimmons@ucdavis.edu.

K-12 SCHOOL FUNDING — Tom Timar, professor of education and director of the UC Davis Center for Applied Policy in Education, is an expert in education finance and governance. Timar wrote the chapter on how California funds education for the landmark 2007 study, "Getting Down to Facts." The study, commissioned by California's political leadership, concluded that California's educational system is crippled by a complex bureaucracy, flawed teacher policies and misspent school money. From 2006 to 2007, Timar served as director of research for the Governor's Advisory Committee on Education Excellence. Contact: Tom Timar, School of Education, (530) 754-6654, office; (707) 259-1067, home; (707) 299-9473, cell; tbtimar@ucdavis.edu.

PARTISAN POLITICS — Political science professor Robert Huckfeldt can comment broadly on the partisan politics that divide California Democrats and Republicans and contribute to budget gridlock. Huckfeldt is a scholar of public opinion, participation and voting in national elections. Contact: Robert Huckfeldt, Political Science, (530) 752-0975, rhuckfeldt@ucdavis.edu.

POLITICS, TAXES AND NEW IDEAS — Edmond Costantini, UC Davis professor emeritus of political science, specializes in political parties and public opinion, particularly in regard to California electoral politics. He can discuss the current political stakes for Democrats, Republicans and Gov. Schwarzenegger. Contact: Edmond Costantini, Political Science, (530) 752-0974, office; (530) 756-2009, home; egcostantini@ucdavis.edu.

ABOUT THE SPEECH — John Theobald, a lecturer in the Department of Communication, can comment on the effectiveness of the governor's "State of the State" speech. He can also discuss how the governor uses the media to promote his political aims. Theobald teaches "The Media Industry," "Media Analysis" and "News Policies and Practices." Theobald, chair of the UC Oil Forum and a former television news producer, often provides television commentary on debates and public speeches. Contact: John Theobald, Communication, (530) 752-4916, office; (707) 322-6340, cell; theobald@att.net.

About UC Davis

For more than 100 years, UC Davis has engaged in teaching, research and public service that matter to California and transform the world. Located close to the state capital, UC Davis has 32,000 students, an annual research budget that exceeds $600 million, a comprehensive health system and 13 specialized research centers. The university offers interdisciplinary graduate study and more than 100 undergraduate majors in four colleges — Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering and Letters and Science. It also houses six professional schools — Education, Law, Management, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing.