League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Ventura, Los Angeles County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Julia Brownley Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 26

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

Questions & Answers

1. In this time of high unemployment, what are the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation’s economy?

I understand that our economy is beginning to improve, but we still have a long way to go toward full economic recovery. That's why I will advocate for strategic investments in infrastructure and new innovations and energy technologies to create jobs now and simultaneously reduce our dependence on foreign and domestic oil. Small businesses are the backbone of Ventura County's economy and I believe that we should break down barriers and help provide access to capital for small business job creators so they can start hiring again, compete in the global marketplace and be a part of Ventura County's full economic recovery. Additionally, investing in our public education systems will ensure that California's youth are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.

2. How should the federal budget deficit be addressed, now and into the future? How should budget priorities for defense and domestic programs be adjusted?

We clearly need to address our debt and deficit. I would make common sense approaches to reducing spending but would also ask the very wealthy to pay their fair share; I would also use a common sense approach to defense spending that does not jeopardize our security, but that takes advantage of advanced technologies and streamlines wasteful spending; I would close corporate tax loopholes and end unnecessary subsidies to oil companies. Balancing the budget must be among our highest priority but it should not come off the backs of the middle class or our seniors who have sacrificed greatly in this recent economic downturn.

3. What are your priorities with respect to our nation’s energy policy? Should there be an emphasis on clean energy and reducing carbon emissions, and/or on reducing our dependence on foreign sources?

Protecting the environment and preserving it for future generations is essential and requires careful stewardship of our precious natural resources. Environmental protection is also key to growing our vibrant 21st century economy. I have been a staunch advocate for moving America away from our dependence on dirty fossil fuels and foreign oil. We must become energy independent and make strategic investments in clean, renewable and sustainable energy right here at home and we should set a national goal to do it over the next few decades. I will continue to fight for the protection of our coastlines, open spaces and for a healthy environment for our community and for our country. I have been and will continue to be deeply involved in cleaning up chemical and radioactive contamination at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, and the clean up of the former Halaco metal smelting operation to better protect the health and safety of our community.

4. What, if any, changes should be made to federal health care policies or programs?

I strongly believe that every American deserves access to affordable high quality health care. The Affordable Care Act passed in 2010 made some much needed improvements to our health care system like eliminating pre-existing conditions and allowing children to stay on their parent's insurance until age 26, but the law also has some problems like reducing increased future spending on Medicare. While health insurance premiums soar, so do insurance company profits at the expense of hard working middle class Americans. In Congress, I will continue to work on reducing the cost of health care, improving the quality of health care, holding insurance companies accountable, and to putting all of us and our doctors back in control of our own health care.

5. What, if any, changes should be made to federal rules on campaign financing?

Following the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows political groups to give unlimited money to political campaigns and advertisements, campaign spending has reached unprecedented levels. In the California Assembly I have championed campaign finance reform as author of the California Disclose Act that would require the top donors of political advertisements for candidates and initiatives to be clearly identified on all mediums of political advertising, whether TV, radio or print. In Congress I would support the federal legislation known as the DISCLOSE Act, that would create the same transparency on a national level.

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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 12, 2012 17:46
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