League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Gerald L. "Gerry" Manata Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 35

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 support, for the most part, Brown's proposed budget for 2012-13. There is still room for more salary cuts, however, and Brown's 12 point pension reform bill must pass. Tax hikes are necessary. There are some good tax hike initiatives aimed primarily at helping schools that need to get on the ballot and passed. If not, the legislature should pass them. I have a series of alternative tax hikes that I propose. They are examples of tax shifting centered around ecological economic theory. I go into detail in my first position paper.

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

In these times, tax hikes by a simple majority is needed. We also should take steps to get more private money out of politics. This would mean more public funding for campaigns. Another long term goal is simply to get rid of the Senate. Why do we need two houses anyway? This added duplication means more wasted time and expense. Along with eliminating the Senate, we should expand the Assembly to 120 memebers, thus shrinking the Assembly districts. This will bring government closer to the people and reduce the influence of big money in elections.

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?

This is a priority concern. The tax hike initiatives aimed at helping schools mentioned above are important.We must rehire teachers with pay and pension reform and reduce tuition.

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

We need to start paying down our short and long term debt, currently pegged at $361 billion. We need to put people back to work at jobs that do not harm our environment. We need to continue the "greening" of our state government and schools. We need to finally move to a 35 hours work week(change labor code 515(c)). Our economy, largely through automation,has become more efficient than ever. We thus have almost 12 percent unemployed and a full time work force still stuck at 40+ hours. A reuction to 35 hours will cause more large employers to hire more people or pay more overtime to those that they have. This will decrease unemployment and UI payments.

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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 3, 2012 13:07
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