Steve Hilton unveils anti-corruption and DMV reform plans

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has introduced two major policy proposals as part of his campaign for California’s highest office.

In San Diego, Hilton unveiled an anti-corruption agenda aimed at limiting the influence of special-interest money in state politics. The plan specifically targets the campaign funding of Democratic rival Xavier Becerra. Hilton’s campaign claims that outside groups have contributed approximately $26 million to support Becerra, citing donations from labor unions, the California Association of Realtors, and corporations such as Airbnb, Uber, and Meta.

Additionally, Hilton proposed a plan to abolish the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and replace it with a combination of online services, county offices, and certified private providers. The proposal includes slashing annual vehicle registration fees to a flat $73. While Hilton describes the move as part of an “Operation Zero Waste” initiative to reduce bureaucracy, critics note that the DMV generates roughly $15.5 billion in annual revenue, and the proposed fee reduction could create a significant budget gap.