League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Butte County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Joe DiDuca Answers Questions Candidate for County Supervisor; County of Butte; Supervisorial District 5

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Butte County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. There is increasing demand for north state groundwater. What do you think we should do to protect the quantity and quality of water we need in our region?

I serve on the Butte Co. Water Advisory Committee, so I'm directly involved with these issue. The Integrated Regional Water Mgt. Plan (IRWMP)is a united front of six North State Counties that was formed as a coalition to have a strong voice in securing our water origin rights.This gives our water rights a very strong legal and financial voice to fight with. The Bay-Delta Stewardship Council wants to have a majority of our water flushed down the rivers to help (supposedly) habitat in the Delta. This would put an unbearable strain on the Tuscan Aquifer and most likely put farmers out of production and millions of dollars in County revenue would be lost. For quality groundwater, the monitoring going on now needs to continue so recommendations can be made when the aquifer drops in those areas. Development needs to stay away from re-charge areas.

2. What would you propose to address the decline in funding for public education at the state level?

The same as funding issues with the County. Those high salaries need to be addressed. The Board of Regents is slapping taxpayers in the face giving those salaries to college President's, especially when fees are going up! Then look at the other departments and trim that fat off too. Government should be prioritizing Public safety, Roads, job creation, and education. Raises cannot be given when funding is dropping, period! Get rid of those appointed committee's that pay six figures to retired politician's.

3. Despite evidence of varying academic success, charter schools are popular and increasing in numbers. What is your position on charter schools and how do you think we can assure balanced funding between charters and regular schools?

Most charter schools put out a great product as is evidenced by the scholastic achievements of the students. The additional parent involvement helps keep the whole family invested in the process too. I believe the best should be rewarded. If Charter schools are doing a better job, they should be getting rewarded. Public schools need to look at why the Charter's are doing well and emulate their process. I think this mandatory testing is not a good barometer of every child, and only the best teachers need to be kept, not the oldest.

4. What would you do in this tight budget period to maintain or improve county infrastructure, such as airports, public transportation, and roads.

Budget prioritizing and department auditing has to be mandatory. With a budget of over $400 million I know we can give the taxpayers something back for their money. We need look at every department and ask what the personnel has done, what they're doing, and what are they going to do to that benefits the people of this County. We need to justify the high paying management jobs and see if we can get by with less six figure jog descriptions. Tax money should be spent for boots on the street with the minimal amount of bureaucracy to achieve that. The 14% ( I believe it's higher)unemployment needs to be addressed. When people work, money goes into the coffers to pay for public safety, roads, schools, and vital services. We need to look at all fees and regulations to see if they prohibit job creation. Let's give tax and fee relief incentives to those who wish to create jobs. It's common sense economics. We can't strangle the free market system and expect to have services.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. References to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: May 29, 2012 08:07
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