Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 5; Democratic Party

Right now our community is suffering. Middle class families are struggling with layoffs and furloughs, rising health care costs and diminishing educational opportunities. Small businesses that have been operating in the Sacramento region for decades are closing their doors. The state budget crisis is dealing a devastating blow to seniors, people with disabilities, working families and our schools. I have been on the front lines helping families impacted by a declining economy and bad budget decisions from the Legislature. Rather than focusing on the issues voters sent them to address such as job creation, improving our schools and lowering healthcare costs politicians are too busy bickering among themselves to get anything accomplished.

We need to get California back on track -- and that's why I am running for the State Assembly.

I want use my experience as a physician, educator, and community leader to help solve our state's problems and make the California Dream a reality again. I want lead the movement that puts Government back to work for the people of this state and makes it a partner in the effort to find sustained prosperity.

I believe we need to rebuild people's trust in the Legislative process by restoring a sense of transparency, integrity, and fair, responsible action on the challenges facing this state. I hope to fix our state's broken budget process, get our economy working again, make universal health care a reality, and invest in quality education and higher education so that every student has a chance to succeed.