League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
San Mateo, Santa Clara County, CA March 2, 2004 Election
	Barbara Nesbet Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 21; Democratic Party

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. What does California need to do to address the current budget crisis?

It is essential that the State of California pass fiscal and budgetary reforms so that we can create a healthy state economy in which tax dollars are well spent. I will support budget accountability reforms including a 55 % vote requirement for passage of the state budget. A minority of legislators must not be allowed to hold the state budget hostage. Further, we must consider the implementation of a 2-year budget cycle, to promote forward-looking and sound fiscal planning.

In the State Assembly, I will fight to protect essential services. In difficult economic times, I will not support putting additional pressure on Californians by cutting critical services. Instead, we must seek additional sources of revenue. In the state legislature, we can study proposals such as raising the tax rates on the top 1% income bracket, and bringing commercial property assessments in line with home property assessments.

2. What should the state's priorities be for K-12 education? For the Community College System?

My top priority in the State Assembly will be investing in education. When we make good investments in education, we are investing in our children's futures, and in California's future. Most importantly, we must create healthy and productive educational and social development for our children and young people.

First, we must secure appropriate funding for education in California. Our state ranks 30th in spending levels on schools. We must do better. My spending priorities will include early childhood education, libraries, and after school programs. We must also attract and retain good teachers who will provide a nurturing environment for children.

California's community colleges are essential educational institutions for our state. Community colleges are places where every Californian can seek higher education and improve their job skills. We must adequately fund our community colleges, and we must keep fees low so that all Californians can have access to education.

3. What measures would you support to address California's water needs?

California must promote water conservation. We must also ensure safe and clean drinking water for all. Finally, we must ensure that new developments have access to adequate water supplies before building starts.

If we employ greater water conservation techniques in agriculture, we can provide more water for urban areas. We can also promote water conservation through education programs

It is essential that we maintain clean water supplies. Two options for ensuring clean water include spot-testing water run-off for toxics, and preventing logging practices that pollute streams with sediment.

4. What should the Legislature be doing to address the needs of Californians without health insurance?

Too often in California, families who lose a job also lose their health insurance. This is unacceptable. Health care is a crucial resource to California's families. When we ensure access to health care, we invest in the lives of California's families and children. We also invest in our future.

In California, health care must be affordable and accessible to all. Being insured should not depend on being employed. In the State Assembly, I will fight to provide access to health care for every Californian. I will also fight to maintain women's access to reproductive services.