I am running for Assembly to improve the conditions for my family, neighbors and all of us who call Solano and Yolo Counties home. It's time to speak

By Steve Hardy

Let's finish the job on reducing class sizes for all public school children. Kids should go to school in clean, comfortable and permanent classrooms, not portables or run-down schools. We need to ensure they are safe and have all the resources they need to become good learners, like updated books, access to new technology and qualified well-paid teachers.

Traffic Congestion Relief

Many of us live in Solano and Yolo Counties but commute to Sacramento or the Bay Area. We can make the I-80 and 680 commute a little better by improving access at the 680 interchange, breaking through bureaucratic gridlock to speed up road improvements and fighting for more transportation funds from Sacramento.

Good Jobs and Affordable Housing

The best way to slow sprawl, get our economy moving and create more affordable housing is to attract good jobs in neighborhoods where people live. We need to jump start our efforts to attract good employers to existing cities in Solano and Yolo Counties and protect Travis Air Force Base from closure or defense cuts.

My own kids cannot afford to buy a home, that's why I want to make it easier for families to buy a first home and upgrade into homes as they grow.

Energy

Last summer, consumers did their part by cutting use by 20%. Now it's time for the energy companies to keep our rates affordable and the state to ensure we have adequate energy supplies and more renewable power sources.

Public Safety

As a former police officer, I know that it's critical to enforce the law. But we can also prevent crime by increasing community policing, where officers and other local officials can become community assets, not just people we need in an emergency. We also need embrace public schools as the center of our communities, offering better after school programs for kids and other services for families.

Environment

It shouldn't cost taxpayers to protect the environment. We should protect open space before its built over and keep our air and water clean from pollution. But it's wrong for bureaucracies to bill homeowners for it. Let's make the corporate polluters pay.

Healthcare

I will fight HMO premium increases and attempts to take away the right of people to choose their own doctors. We need to keep expanding access to affordable healthcare for all children and families.

Farmers

Our family farmers are one of our greatest assets. They supply food to the world and employ many of our neighbors. During these uncertain times, local crops are actually helping to keep Solano and Yolo economies strong. We need to make sure landowners receive adequate water and are treated fairly when it comes to environmental protection.

Veterans

I am a veteran myself and it hurts me to see some of my fellow vets struggle to get adequate services from the state. They gave so much and ask for so little in return. We owe it to them to provide them with better access to healthcare, housing, retirement needs and other necessities. California must shake up its Veterans Affairs department.

People

My campaign is about people - it's about working families. If elected, I will spend more time in our communities than I will in Sacramento. My door will always be open to the people of District 8