Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 59

Education:

Education is California's top constitutional mission, and State allocations reflect this. Yet, far too much decision making is done in Sacramento, not locally by parent councils and school boards. Statewide goals should be established and return policy and management to the local level. Policy and resources must work in tandem. A good example of great intentions at the State level creating havoc at the local level is the class size reduction begun with Governor Wilson. Great concept! Yet many districts simply did not have the classrooms to accommodate it.

Jobs:

Everyone agrees that we want to encourage growth of businesses that offer high paying jobs that benefit families' and communities' economic health. Yet state tax structure promotes just the opposite. By forcing cities and counties to become increasingly dependent on sales taxes to fund basic services (i.e. police), they are forced to compete for auto malls and big box retail stores instead of high wage industires. To add insult to injury, the State stole most all of local property taxes during the 90's recession. We do not need additional taxes, but we do need to distribute monies more equitably to accomplist goals. Sales, income and property taxes need to be reallocated to reward cities that add true value ot the State.

Transportation:

We are fortunate to live in a robust region. We are the gateway to America from the Far East. We chose to live, work and play all over the region. We are millions of people . Mobility is a real challenge. So much has been accomplished (Metrolink, Foothill Transit, Foothill Freeway extension underway); much still needs to be done (Alameda Corridor East grade crossings, Blue Line extensions into Pasadena and later to Claremont, completion of Route 30). These projects require years of efforts in Washington and Sacramento by your local officials. Working hard with other area local officials, I have been successful in securing our region's fair share of transportation dollars. I want to continue to do this.