League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Los Angeles County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Member of the State Assembly; District 39

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. 1. How will you prioritize the budget choices the Legislature must make to align the state’s income and spending, and address the need for fair revenue sources that are sufficient for state and local government services? Answer from John Paul "Jack" Lindblad: State Spending (#1-Greatly increase #2-Somewhat increase #3-Maintain #4-Somewhat decrease #5-Greatly decrease #6-Cessation) b) Education (K-12) #1 c) Environment #1 d) Health care #4 e) Law enforcement #5 f) Transportation and highway infrastructure #1 (for intermodal rapid rail) g) Welfare #2 Spending on education, seeding a Green Jobs economy, proving a single-payer quality, universal healthcare system, welfare and intermodal rapid rail will stabilize society and state government coffers so that law enforcement and prison spending can be reduced. Solving environmental problems and going 100% renewable energy will create new jobs, lower overall state government spending, create well-being, lower healthcare costs, and a healthier population and environment, and help to stabilize ecological services. Stop spending on subsidizing the oil industry! 2. What proposals, if any, do you support to fix the budget process? What other types of changes or reforms, if any, do you think are important to make our state government function more effectively? Answer from John Paul "Jack" Lindblad: Budget Stabilization a) Tapping into California's "rainy day" fund? Yes b) Issuing the early release of certain non-violent offenders? Yes c) Instituting mandatory furloughs and layoffs for state employees? No d) Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients? No e) Privatizing certain government services? No Close the loopholes of speculative, non-productive capital gains, true cost of carbon, developer loopholes- and other kinds of corporate welfare. The tax bracket historically was 80% plus and that needs to be be restored. Peg the millionaire and billionaire at high enough rates to reward productive, green industry growth and to plug loopholes of non-productive speculative greed. Sunset regressive tax policy by a phased elimination of state tax on lower income workforce wages and salary and sales tax compensated with a graduated tax rate on gross rents, gross business receipts and resource-based, carbon taxes. Campaign Finance and Government Reform Issues a) Should California hold a constitutional convention to rewrite the state constitution? Yes b) Does the candidate support changing the requirement for state budget passage from a two-thirds vote to a majority vote? Yes c) Does the candidate support limits on the number of terms for California governors? Yes d) Does the candidate support limits on the number of terms for California state legislators? Yes e) Does the candidate support limits on the following types of contributions to candidates for state government? Yes on 1) through 4) 1) Individual 2) Political Action Committee 3) Corporate 4) Political Party f) Should candidates for state office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits? Yes g) Does the candidate support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information? Yes We advocate for a Constitutional Convention in California, where a new governing framework can make possible: instant runoff voting, proportional representation to allow a pro-rata number of representatives from the range of ballot-status political parties beyond the duopoly, smaller sized districts for greater stakeholder representation, bio-regional determined boundaries of governmental districts and a ban all corporate lobbying and campaign spending with implementation of public financing of elections. State Taxes (#1-Greatly increase #2-Somewhat increase #3-Maintain #4-Somewhat decrease #5-Greatly decrease #6-Cessation) a) Alcohol taxes #1 b) Cigarette taxes #1 c) Corporate taxes #1 d) Gasoline taxes #1 e) Property taxes #1 (Large Commercial business) f) Sales taxes #5 g) Income taxes (low-income families) #5 h) Income taxes (middle-income families) #4 i) Income taxes (high-income families) #1 A split roll amendment to proposition 13 for business property to be assessed on a 'mark-to-market' every ten years, including residential rental property, regardless if the property is owned by a corporation, partnership, family trust, LLC or other entity. We support Proposition 13 that protects homeowners from displacement, and support property tax exemptions for small businesses that do not make a profit. We support a property tax system that makes a distinction between land (higher tax) verses improvements upon the land (low or no tax) to preserve land for public use, agriculture, open space, and encourage development in appropriate locations. Crime and Public Safety Issues a) Does the candidate support capital punishment for certain crimes? No b) Does the candidate support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment? Yes c) Should the possession of small amounts of marijuana be decriminalized? Yes d) Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult? No e) Should a minor who sends sexually-explicit or nude photos by cell phone face criminal charges? No f) Does the candidate support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police? No The US has less than 5% of the world's population, but almost 25% of the world's prisoners. The punishment-based prison complex is a failure, morally, fiscally and systemically. A preponderance of legislative initiatives creates more criminal infractions which expands the already runaway, double-digit billion dollar California Prison-Industrial complex. My green answer is removing jail time for victimless crimes, removal of 'three strikes' and using the expanded education dollar for educative, correction-oriented programs over punishment to reduce the prison system size. Fully fund educational programs, especially those for early childhood. Costs per student are far less than the cost per prisoner. Economic Issues a) Does the candidate support reducing government regulations on the private sector? No b) Does the candidate support increased state funding for job-training programs that re-train displaced workers? Yes c) Does the candidate support expanding access to unemployment benefits? Yes d) Does the candidate support providing financial incentives to the private sector for the purpose of job creation? Yes e) Does the candidate support increased spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation? Yes f) Does the candidate support providing direct financial assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure? Yes g) Does the candidate support suspending the sale of bonds that would finance the California high-speed rail? Yes To avert governmental collapse, ecological and economic calamities, the Green New Deal's imperative points to a Twenty-First Century Civilian Conservation Corp to retrofit existing buildings meeting net-zero energy objectives and immediately reduce ghg emissions by 80%, expand parks and recreation area in a Smart Decline to relocalize energy, food and material production and exchange to replace the failed-growth economy with a steady-state, 100% renewable energy economy. Transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use, in-fill community development based on net zero energy performance (with rate-payers generating on-site renewable power) - will help meet AB 32's mandate - encouraged with certified renewable energy credits - robust, articulated feed-in-tariffs. "Bond dependent financing" only gives unjust enrichment to the already wealthy, taking from the bulk of tax payers - needed resources out of the economy. A Public-owned state bank, partnered with local credit unions and local banks that don't take bailouts and make themselves outrageous bonuses, would put resources back in the economy. The mission of the state bank is to apply environmentally accountable, incentive-based investments in schools, student loans and local economies. Environment and Energy Issues a) Does the candidate support state funding for the development of alternative energy? Yes b) Does the candidate support state funding for the development of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil)? No c) Does the candidate support providing financial incentives to farms that produce biofuel crops? No d) Does the candidate support state funding for improvements to California's energy infrastructure? Yes e) Does the candidate support state funding for open space preservation? Yes f) Does the candidate support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change? Yes The "No" answer referring to `Biofuel" presumes the definition to be algae fuel, developed with tax incentives in urban settings. "state funding" is defined to be the funding results from closing corporate loopholes and providing incentives for renewable energy investment. A transformation is desired of the current failed "growth economy" via a Green New Deal, Smart Decline and relocalization to a steady-state economy, with a transition to a 100% renewable energy economy by 2015. Gun Issues a) Does the candidate support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns? Yes b) Does the candidate support requiring background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows? Yes c) Does the candidate support allowing individuals to carry concealed guns? No d) Does the candidate support requiring a license for gun possession? Yes NON-VIOLENCE It is essential that we develop effective alternatives to society's current patterns of violence. We will work to demilitarize, and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, without being naive about the intentions of other governments. We recognize the need for self-defense and the defense of others who are in helpless situations. We promote non-violent methods to oppose practices and policies with which we disagree, and will guide our actions toward lasting personal, community and global peace. Mexico's drug cartels rely on armaments being imported from the US into Mexico. The US is the top destination for Mexico's cartel drug trafficking. The drug insurgency in Mexico has its origins in the US, so the US is responsible for, and must extinguish it's insatiable demand and curb the export of arms in to Mexico. Health Issues a) Does the candidate support the establishment of a single-payer, publicly-administered health care system for California? Yes b) Does the candidate support a universally-accessible, publicly-administered health insurance option? Yes c) Does the candidate support expanding access to health care through commercial health insurance reform? No d) Does the candidate support interstate health insurance compacts? No e) Should individuals be required to purchase health care insurance? No f) Does the candidate support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits? No g) Does the candidate support legalizing physician-assisted suicide in California? Yes h) Does the candidate support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes? Yes A guaranteed quality universal single payer healthcare for all! Removing Big Insurance, Big Pharmaceutical, and all Lobbyist influence over healthcare legislation and administration saves 30% in healthcare costs over the current privatized, for profit structure. Healthcare is a right, not a privilege! A healthy public lowers the cost of government. Social Issues a) Should marriage only be between one man and one woman? No b) Should California allow same-sex couples to form domestic partnerships? Yes c) Does the candidate support state funding for stem cell research? Yes d) Does the candidate support state funding for embryonic stem cell research? Yes e) Does the candidate support the state's use of affirmative action? Yes f) Does the candidate support the inclusion of sexual orientation in California's anti-discrimination laws? Yes g) Does the candidate support the inclusion of gender identity in California's anti-discrimination laws? Yes SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY All persons should have the rights and opportunity to benefit equally from the resources afforded us by society and the environment. We must consciously confront in ourselves, our organizations, and society at large, barriers such as racism and class oppression, sexism and homophobia, ageism and disability, which act to deny fair treatment and equal justice under the law. Race, gender affirmative actions attempt to include specific groups that have a history of being excluded regardless of their economic status or level of education. 3. Many members of the Legislature say that education is a high priority for the state. Yet fees for public higher education have gone up dramatically and funding has been cut. What is your vision for California’s higher education future, and how do you propose to get there? Answer from John Paul "Jack" Lindblad: Education Issues a) Does the candidate support national education standards? No b) Does the candidate support requiring public schools to administer high school exit exams? No c) Does the candidate support using a merit pay system for teachers? No d) Does the candidate support state funding for charter schools? No e) Does the candidate support the state government providing college students with financial aid? Yes f) Should illegal immigrants who graduate from California high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities? Yes Renew the California Dream of free K-16 education for all. No better investment to make our future stable and sustainable. We support lifelong public education, with an emphasis on giving our young people the tools they need to navigate their way through the sources of information which will enable them to lead meaningful and productive lives. Decrease the student-teacher ratio in classrooms and increase the number of counselors, nurses, librarians and social workers. Provide smaller, more personalized schools and a greater diversity of choices. Promote & fund bilingual & second-language immersion education with trained teachers & appropriate materials. 4. What other major issues do you think the Legislature must address in 2011? What are your priorities? Answer from John Paul "Jack" Lindblad: Candidate Lindblad's Legislative Priorities: Jobs, Education, Sustainable environment. Funding these critical priorities will come from: Closing corporate loopholes in the current tax system will prevent urban sprawl, and bolster local intermodal rapid surface and rail mass transportation systems and businesses. Currently federal and state governments give hundreds of millions of dollars in tax subsidies to landlords and real estate speculators, interest write-offs, depreciation deductions, capital gain exclusions and other loopholes, exemptions and exclusions. These tax subsides do not help produce anything new of value to society, but only serve to enrich landlords and speculators. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. No candidate may refer to another candidate in the response. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.