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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Budget Crisis,
Education,
Water,
Health Insurance
Click on a name for other candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What does California need to do to address the current budget crisis?
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Answer from Warner S. Bloomberg, III:
1. Pass legislation to lower the vote threshold to pass a budget in the State Senate and Assembly to a majority vote of the State Senate and Assembly.
2. Pass a $0.0025 statewide sales tax with a sunset clause for payoff of the bonds created by Propositions 57 and 58 .
3. Raise the state income tax rate for individuals in the highest tax bracket (gross income of $200,000 or more).
4. Require a minimum corporations state income tax -- pro-rated according to gross income regardless of deductions.
5. Eliminate corporate tax loopholes.
6. Adopt the Green Watchdog Report proposals to replace General Fund expenses with user and polluter fees.
7. Set a clear base for city and county funding.
8. Have voters decide whether corporate held real property should be reassessed at least once every ten years.
Answer from Joe Coto:
Lawmakers need to take a stand for what is important. As your
Assemblyman I plege not to vote for any state budget that includes deep
cuts to education, healthcare or public safety. Seniors and school
children should not be asked to bear the burden of the boom and bust
cycles of the state budget.
In addition, lawmakers must be willing to take the bold steps required to
end the boom and bust cycle of the state budget. Potential solutions
include multi-year budgets to minimize radical fluctuations from year to
year, building budget reserves to provide for tough times, streamlining
State spending, balanced budget requirements, exploring creative State/
private partnerships and looking at ways to reform the tax system to
stabilize state revenue.
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2. What should the state's priorities be for K-12 education? For the Community College System?
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Answer from Joe Coto:
Improving our schools must be the State's top priority. It is my top
priority. Students should be inspired and challenged to meet the highest
standards, be well prepared for Califonria's highly skilled work force, be
good citizens and parents, be informed caretakers of our environment,
value and promote the diversity of our society and be the life-long
learners that the 21st century demands.
How do we accomplish these lofty goals? By attracting and retaining the
best teachers to work in our schools. By keeping class sizes small so
children get the individualized attention they need. By funding proven
and innovative programs that enhance student achievement.
After 30 years as a teacher and Superintendent of Schools, I want to take
my experience to Sacramento to make smart policy and budget decisions
that improve our neighborhood schools and community colleges.
Answer from Warner S. Bloomberg, III:
Vote Yes on Proposition 55. Ensure that there are uniform basic quality standards for all K-12 school buildings. Assure that curiculum and textbooks match statewide progress testing standards -- but curriculum needs to be more than just teaching to the tests! Afterschool enrichment programs need to be encouraged. Teachers should not have to pay for class supplies from their personal funds!
Access to Community Colleges needs to be assured for all students. That means there needs to be adequate funding for all aspects of operating these institutions -- without having tuition and fees so high that it prevents enrollment. Community Colleges should not be treated as overflow for excess enrollments to the State University and University of California institutions. Those institutions needed funded and managed to receive all eligible students.
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3. What measures would you support to address California's water needs?
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Answer from Warner S. Bloomberg, III:
Continued water conservation programs.
Municipal water recycling / recapture programs.
Reconstituting ecological waterways to replace concrete lined streambeds.
Enforcement of buffer zones and watershed protection requirements in timber harvesting plans.
Policies to encourage agricultural change from high waterto lower water consumption crops and practices.
Inter-county joint powers authorities for regional development planning and policies.
Fees and penalties adequate for polluter remediation of water supply damage (including siltation and agri runoff).
Answer from Joe Coto:
Water is one of the most contentious and divisive issues in California.
On one hand, our state must protect our natural resources and
environmental treasures. On the other hand, a stable and adequate water
supply is required for our economy to thrive and for many California
communities to flourish.
Anyone who claims easy answers to this issue is not being honest. Only
with thorough review and experienced mediation of interests will good
water policy be made.
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4. What should the Legislature be doing to address the needs of Californians without health insurance?
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Answer from Warner S. Bloomberg, III:
Adopt a Universal Healthcare (single payor) system (e.g., SB921). In the meantime, adopt legislation that prevents hospitals from charging uninsured patients higher rates than prices charged to insurance programs or government programs.
Answer from Joe Coto:
It is dispicable that any California child or family should have to go
without healthcare. We cannot wait for the Federal Government to solve
the healthcare epidemic in our country. California must agressively
pursue policies that expand access to healthcare for ALL Californians.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
