Although the two tend to track one another on the biggest economic issues, Brown and Boxer do differ on one key issue that could affect the economy greatly: environmental regulations.

Boxer has been firm in her support of environmental regulations. She has made it clear that she wants California and the U.S. To honor its commitments to reduce carbon emissions, even if, as her opponents point out, other countries like China and India fail to honor their commitments, thereby polluting the environment for us. In fact, Boxer was an early front-line supporter of the controversial cap-and-trade legislation that would essentially make businesses pay for the right to pollute.

Although Brown has also been supportive of California's own cap and trade legislation, AB32, Brown has also stated that he will not let environmental regulations get in the way of economic development. Brown reminds investors that, as mayor of Oakland, he struck down environmental regulations that interfered with his economic development plan to revitalize Downtown Oakland.

Senators like Boxer can be die-hard proponents of any policy because they are not individually responsible for the outcome of the legislature's policies. However, a State Governor, as Brown hopes to be, is the first person citizens look at when a policy fails. This explains Brown's willingness to compromise and prioritize, he cannot afford to get the big things wrong.
http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Barbara_Boxer.htm#Free_Trade

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe -- meyerson-governor-race-20100817,0,1039374.story http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sen-barbara-boxer/clean-energy-action-will_b_235382.html

http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-10-14/opinion/24134077_1_meg-whitman-jerry-brown-bike-lane