League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	State of California (Madera, El Dorado, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Amador, Placer, Mariposa, Mono, Alpine Counties) June 5, 2012 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Member of the State Assembly; District 5

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 Marc Boyd: The 5th Assembly district has been devastated by the recent downturn in the economy. We cannot allow more cuts to education, public safety, or economic development. I support Governor Jerry Brown's November ballot initiative to increase personal income tax on earnings over $250,000 by 1-3% for seven years, and to increase sales tax by 1/4 cent for four years. Answer from Tim K. "Timothy" Fitzgerald: I would re-organize the budget making process, to allow the state to fund existing budget levels with a fair process and equal share in the costs of maintaining the State Fiscal Budget. 2. What types of changes or reforms, if any, do you think are important to make our state government function more effectively? Answer from Tim K. "Timothy" Fitzgerald: 1) Develop a new view toward Tax Policy and funding state finances. Consider 'value-added' tax to supplement or replace current income tax. Admit Jarvis-Gann is not working after 30 years of failure,and amend the state Constitution to break the strangle hold Jarvis-Gann and conservative politics have on the State annual budget. Answer from Marc Boyd: I support the California Disclose Act (AB1648). The California Disclose Act will help turn the tide against unlimited and undisclosed campaign spending. Voters need to know who the top spenders are on political advertisements. A healthy democracy is dependent on transparency and accountability. 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 Marc Boyd: Rising tuition costs at public colleges and universities is one of my top concerns. California's higher education system was once the envy of the world. California should remain committed to providing an affordable college education for high school graduates. It is unacceptable to allow budget cuts to sharply reduce the availability of a college education. Answer from Tim K. "Timothy" Fitzgerald: I would shift cost of the penal system, with reform of prisons along the lines of AB109 - already begun. Savings in this area could be funneled into state public post secondary financing...putting a freeze on college fees and tuition. 4. What other major issues do you think the Legislature must address? What are your own priorities? Answer from Marc Boyd: The Legislature should create an economic development fund for areas that have been the hardest hit by the economic downturn. We cannot allow one more business to fail in the 5th district. It is heartbreaking to see all the closed businesses in my hometown of Arnold. If elected, I will imediately propose a district-wide economic summit that will focus on rebuilding our foothill economy. Answer from Tim K. "Timothy" Fitzgerald: Revisit K-12 public education as it is presently taught. Introduce the Montesorri system to all public schools K-3.Liberate the Middle schools from the dreary program now in place - of interest to neight instructor nor student, and add liberal arts courses, exploring the new world culture and civilization. Teach the high tech resources of the Internet at this level. Give High School students REAL substance by teaching the classics in all fields, not the water down second and third hand sources of no use to anyone. 2 Realize the original proposals for Community Mental Health, making it possible for all those who are disabled to attain Independent Living, free from the shakled of benign neglect and mere 'warehousing' of the handicapped for life. 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.