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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.
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1. How will you prioritize the budget choices the Legislature must make to align the state’s income and spending?
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Answer from Regy G. Bronner, Jr.:
Make relevant job training, attraction and formation the first priority. Keep the teachers, firemen, police, and nurses on the job. Spread the increased need for tax revenues to bring corporate and wealthy more in line with the rest of taxpayers' rates. Eliminate all tax loopholes where feasible.
Answer from Beth B. Gaines:
There is not a revenue problem in California, there is a spending and prioritization problem. The state government takes in plenty of money to fund core government functions such as public safety and education, and these priorities should not suffer to pay for the grand schemes and pet projects of political cronies. We need to put a stop to slush funds and corporate welfare.
Answer from Andy Pugno:
Spending is out of control. The budget must be balanced by using honest revenue projections and cutting spending, while protecting core government functions such as public safety, transportation and education.
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2. What types of changes or reforms, if any, do you think are important to make our state government function more effectively?
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Answer from Regy G. Bronner, Jr.:
Corporate exception to Proposition 13 needs to be amended. Establish an indirect referendum system to avoid collateral damage and hidden sponsors. Vote in the Disclose Act. Refine tax distribution to cities and counties in a more equitable way. Amend the 67% rule in the State Senate to 50% + 1. Repeal legislator term limits.
Answer from Beth B. Gaines:
I believe we need to enact sunshine laws to give the public a realistic opportunity to review bills before they are voted on and end back-room deals. We should also enact limits on the number of days the legislature can spend in Sacramento, to force other lawmakers to live and work under the laws they create.
Answer from Andy Pugno:
The regulatory burden in California is crushing small business and driving employers to other states. Regulatory reform is key to restoring California's economy.
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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?
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Answer from Beth B. Gaines:
Yes, education should be one of the main priorities of state government. That is why I voted to put over a billion dollars of the revenue already generated by the state back into education.
Answer from Andy Pugno:
Let's start by scrutinizing excessive compensation for top level executives of the public university systems.
Answer from Regy G. Bronner, Jr.:
Make free public education free again. Reestablish the principal that investment in public education is an investment in California's economic health. Remove corporate loopholes like oil and gas subsidies, farm subsidies, and the Proposition 13 corporate loophole.
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4. What other major issues do you think the Legislature must address? What are your own priorities?
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Answer from Regy G. Bronner, Jr.:
Need to expedite mortgage reformation process for single-family under water properties.
Hire additional teachers for the community colleges to handle the influx of returning veterans.
Answer from Beth B. Gaines:
The legislature must put a stop to frivolous lawsuit abuse and end the continuous stream of regulations. That is why I authored bills on both of these issues, to give businesses the chance to work on serving their customers and hiring employees instead of paperwork. Water should also be a priority in the legislature. Unfortunately, the current water bond is filled with pork and doesn't address the need for water storage and conveyance systems, while recognizing historic water rights.
Answer from Andy Pugno:
See above.
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.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
