League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Butte County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Robin Huffman 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 am a local water advocate who has participated in the public process. As Supervisor I will continue to be a strong advocate, insisting on local management of water resources, and using all the tools to protect water. Beyond participating in the process making sure good science is informing the process, tools may include legal actions. Water is critical to our economy, jobs, food supply, and surroundings - and transporting more water out of the North Valley and pumping water out of the ground faster than it can replenish hurts everyone and everything here. Protecting our water resources is top priority.

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

The State is deep in debt and yet continues its unsustainable incarceration system. I will work with State legislators to undo unnecessary expenditures in the system, decriminalize minor marijuana offenses, revise the three strikes law, and change the dynamics of expenses and priorities to favor education. Prisons are a lose-lose expense whereas public education is a win-win investment. There are many other public systems that could be cut, and expenses in education can be further cut by cutting questionable administrative programs that take time and money away from teachers teaching in classrooms.

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?

I have had a good experience with a charter school. It was very efficient, provided a good education, was well managed, and involved parents from diverse socio-economic levels in very effective ways. There are distinct advantages to allowing the relative administrative freedom and flexibility in communities that charter schools have. Mainstream public schools should take lessons from successful charter schools. Decentralization and re-localization of public eduation can be cost effective and much better for education and most everyone involved. Forces that insist on further centralization may not be working in the best interest of the public and our resources.

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

I will relocalize our economy so that there is more money for our local government to maintain roads and key public infrastructure. I will work with the State and Federal government and local governments to be sure that we get the grants that are available. We need to plan for infrastructure projects and do the studies necessary to apply for those grants using funds already available. The Butte County Association of Governments specializes in this area, particular roadways and public transportation, and I will be a very active member of the BCAG Board of Directors. Improving fire safety routes will remain a top priority.

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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: April 30, 2012 18:00
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