League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Monterey Counties, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues State Senator; District 17

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 Bill W. Monning: I believe the California State Budget must be based upon adequate and reliable revenues to provide funding for core programs including education, higher education, early childhood education,healthcare, infrastructure including highways and public transit, state parks, public safety including police and fire services, disability services, environmental protection, and other essential services. A balanced budget must be based upon an equitable taxation system that is predictable and fair. 2. What types of changes or reforms, if any, do you think are important to make our state government function more effectively? Answer from Bill W. Monning: I favor a majority vote budget, transparency, efficiency, accountability, and strong constituent services. In terms of specific reforms: 1) Majority vote on budget 2) Review of tax code 3) Expanded access (video and television links) for public to view legislative proceedings and to interact with legislators and staff. 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 Bill W. Monning: Yes, that's why I was a co-author of AB 1500 and 1501 during the 2011-12 session which would have closed tax loopholes benefiting out of state corporations over California based companies and direct the $1 billion in saved revenue to middle income family scholarship support for higher education. 4. What other major issues do you think the Legislature must address? What are your own priorities? Answer from Bill W. Monning: As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Health, I have been a strong proponent for healthcare reform, implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the direction of more efforts and resources to prevention, health and wellness promotion. I have also been a strong advocate of providing enforcement agencies with the tools to crack down on the underground economy- those employers who are not playing by the rules and are undercutting law-abiding employers while jeopardizing worker health, safety, and legal rights. 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.