This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/state/ for current information. |
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 Choices,
Budget Process,
Higher Education,
Major Issues and Priorities
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
Answer from Alyson Huber:
State government cannot be all things to all people. We must focus on our core functions -education, infrastructure and public safety - and leave the rest to the local and federal governments. Cutting waste will only get us so far, we must also make the tough choices and cut programs.
One of the first steps we must take is instituting a process where we regularly review the boards, commissions, agencies, etc that make up state government. Right now, California has no process in place to ask the fundamental questions of efficiency and effectiveness and cannot justify every tax dollar we spend. I authored two sunset review bills, AB 1659 and 2130, which were signed by the Governor to create this process. Texas has a similar process which over time has cut the state budget by 5% - in California 5% is $4 billion dollars. Sunset review won't solve all our budget problems but it's a start.
Answer from Alyson Huber:
As Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, I have called in state departments to question them about mismanagement and have held numerous oversight hearings on federal stimulus spending.
Government needs checks and balances to operate properly. We do not currently have a check against the growth of government and the creation of new bureaucracy and that's why I am fighting hard for a Sunset Review process to actually eliminate inefficient and ineffective government agencies.
Answer from Alyson Huber:
Our students have sacrificed enough. I committed to not supporting a budget that contained any more cuts for education, both K-12 and higher ed. Money isn't the answer to all the issues facing education but we must ensure our schools at least have a stable level of funding so they aren't forced to make dramatic changes year after year leaving students vulnerable.
Answer from Alyson Huber:
My priorities are:
1. Reform and Oversight: Government must be more efficient and we must cut waste, fraud and abuse. This year, I was successful in getting a sunset review process in place to conduct comprehensive, routine reviews of state government to ensure taxpayers that their money is being used wisely. In 2011, I would focus on implementation of the process and setting a schedule of reviews.
2. Public Safety: One of the most important roles state government has is to ensure the safety of its citizens. Even as our economic times become more critical, public safety must remain a top priority.
3. Education and Jobs: Education must always be one of our top priorities. By investing in our students we will ensure they have the skills necessary to keep California's economy competitive. Small businesses ultimately drive our state's economic engine and in these difficult times we must do everything we can to spur investment, innovation and production so that we can get people back to work.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page. |