League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Yolo, Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Solano, Colusa Counties, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Member of the State Assembly; District 4

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Budget, Government reform, Higher education, Major issues 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? Answer from Mariko Yamada: Our state's budget supports three primary functions: education, healthcare, and public safety. Investing in education and higher education, preventive and primary health care, and early intervention and diversion programs for those involved in the criminal justice system are pathways to keeping our state on the path to a better future. 2. What types of changes or reforms, if any, do you think are important to make our state government function more effectively? Answer from Mariko Yamada: I believe performance-based budgeting with a two-year budget cycle would provide greater certainty to both state and local governments. Any discussion about pension reform should include an assessment of the costs and consequences of our currently unsustainable healthcare system, especially in the face of the "silver tsunami"--the aging out of the baby boomers over the next twenty years. 3. Fees for public higher education have gone up dramatically and funding has been cut. Is this a priority concern, and if so, what measures would you propose to address it? Answer from Mariko Yamada: Yes. I support AB 1500 and AB 1501, the "Middle Class Scholarship Program", funded by the elimination of the single-sales factor advantaging out-of-state corporations. 4. What other major issues do you think the Legislature must address? What are your own priorities? Answer from Mariko Yamada: The Legislature faces several high-priority issues ahead: Water supply, quality and cost--ground-zero: the Delta. Climate change and its impacts upon agriculture and disaster preparedness. High speed rail. Internet gambling and casino compacts. A Legislature expected to have as many as 40 new members. My personal priorities include: Addressing the services needs of persons with Alzheimer's and autism and those who care for them. Protecting and preserving our state's agricultural industry and its workforce. Defeating the current water bond on the November 2012 ballot. Advocating for the needs of returning veterans and their families. Strengthening and supporting our state's small businesses. 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. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.