League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Solano, Contra Costa, Sacramento Counties, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Gary "Gene" Gantt Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 11

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. How will you prioritize the budget choices the Legislature must make to align the state’s income and spending?

I believe that we must balance the budget but we cannot bring this budget into balance on cuts alone. We have to look at fair and equitable taxes for all. I pay more in federal and state taxes than many people in this state, even though they make much more money than I do. I will work with other legislators to make changes so that we can find a pragmatic solution to this budget crisis. The sooner some legislators stop signing pledges that tie their hands before negotiations even begin, the sooner we can begin to work toward a solution to this mess. I believe that large corporations do not pay their fair share of taxes. There are too many loopholes that allow these corporations to continuously pay lower taxes than they should. Californians must work together to ensure equitable rates that will guarantee our ability to get ourselves out of the financial hole we're in right now. We cannot tax our way out of our current fiscal crisis, and we can't continue making cuts that unfairly affect those in need in our state. A fair and balanced approach agreed to by all interested parties is the best solution to our problems.

2. What types of changes or reforms, if any, do you think are important to make our state government function more effectively?

We need to support and protect small business in California. Regulatory Reform is a necessity if we want California to be a place where small businesses can grow and expand. There are areas of regulation that I believe are great assets to this state, but we need to make sure that our businesses are freed from the confines of red tape and allowed to flourish so that our economy can flourish along with them. By allowing small businesses to flourish we can generate more revenue for our state and help government operate more efficiently and effectively

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?

The first thing we have to do is find a way to come up with a balanced state budget. This will not be easy! However, possible solutions are to:
-Raise tuition in the CSU and University of California systems to out of state students.
-Let local school boards and communities raise revenues through local taxes at a 50% + 1 vote.

4. What other major issues do you think the Legislature must address? What are your own priorities?

Health care is very important to me. I believe all people should have access to adequate and affordable health care. In California we have a law that requires anyone who owns a car to have car insurance (even though we know that not everyone does). Why not make a system where everyone can get health insurance? Private purchase of health care can get us there, as can a government system funded by an income-proportionate fee paid by the individual without insurance. I know that I - like many other Californians - am currently paying more for my coverage because others are not paying at all. By implementing a system where everyone receives healthcare, we can not only increase access to all citizens but also decrease costs for those who currently pay more than their share. I have two Type-1 diabetic children. We cannot allow insurance companies to deny coverage to them!

The environment is also one of my biggest concerns and I will do anything in my power to protect our natural resources.

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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 29, 2012 14:19
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