Candidate for
Council Member; City of Sacramento; Council District 3

Goals/Platform for Next 4-Year Term

Elections are about the future, and lately, there has been some dissension on the Council and in the community, particularly over strong mayors and governance, politics and power. There is a perception that the Council is dysfunctional and not properly focused on the real challenges facing our community.

Steve shares these concerns. It is important now more than ever to elect leaders who do not allow the politics of the moment to distract us from the real challenges facing Sacramento. I hope you agree that I have earned the reputation as being one such leader, focused on improving Sacramento's quality of life, even as we continue to grow and face an uncertain economy.

Key to Sacramento's future are SUSTAINABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. In short, building the sustainable City envisioned by the Sacramento General Plan and Regional Blueprint.

1. If reelected, Steve will focus FIRST and FOREMOST in the short term on adopting a SUSTAINABLE AND ACCOUNTABLE BUDGET. This means making some very tough choices. We can't afford across the board cuts; we need to prioritize and be smarter in how we deliver services. This means holding the City Manager and city management ACCOUNTABLE for providing the most efficient level of services possible. Steve's top priority is public safety + preserving/improving police and fire services, doubling our flood protection, as well as revitalizing and preserving our older business corridors and neighborhoods.

2. SUSTAINABLE JOBS/ECONOMY -- We need to strengthen and diversifying our economy to become the clean energy capital of the world. The City and the region are still too dependent on government jobs, which account for more than a quarter of regional employment. We need a stronger clean tech and manufacturing base that creates good-paying jobs for our residents.

3. SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE + To compete nationally and globally, Sacramento must have a more sustainable road and transit system and flood control network. In particular, Steve has taken a leadership role in developing the Downtown Railyards, building a first-class rail and transit system with connections to High Speed Rail and the Airport, transforming the Capitol Mall, and creating an exciting college district near the 65th St. Light Rail Station and a clean tech center nearby. Although our water infrastructure is excellent, we can't take that for granted either. We also need improved schools, libraries, and training opportunities for our children.

4. AMENITIES, A TO Z + Just as man cannot live by bread alone, a City cannot be vibrant and sustainable through public safety and jobs alone. It is critical to have a clean environment and abundant open spaces, and a wealth of cultural, arts, recreational and sports attractions and opportunities.

5. ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT -- Even if we were not in the worst recession and budget deficit since WWII, it would still be critical for local government to be more efficient and responsive to our diverse and growing population. This means looking at smarter and more efficient ways to deliver essential services, including the possible consolidation of services with the County and other jurisdictions. It also means looking at annexing certain unincorporated urbanized neighborhoods into the City and/or other cities in the County.