League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
San Joaquin County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Susan Talamantes Eggman Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 13

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?

There is no single solution to fixing the budget, and we can't simply cut our way to a better tomorrow. We must close unfair loopholes that allow people to escape paying their fair share, but we also have to deal with existing spending problems.

We must continue to invest in developing our future, by giving children a quality education, keeping college costs well within reach of the middle class, and protecting programs that give deserving youth a shot at their dreams.

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

We have to order government around sensible priorities, and make it work for us, not against us.

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 primary concern, and I am committed to fighting to protect access to quality higher education. It's a benefit that accrues to each and every one of us. We have to look for other ways to reduce state spending in order to pay for the things that matter.

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

The nationwide foreclosure crisis has hurt San Joaquin County deeply. We have been described as its "Ground Zero" and the consequences -- high crime and unemployment -- haven't spared us, either.

We need to fix this, to take advantage of the rich opportunities we have available -- our muscular port, our rich farmland, our hard-working people -- and get working on developing an economy for San Joaquin County's future.

I want to get us working again, and I have a track record that proves I can do it. On the council, I've made tough choices to improve government, and fought successfully for local jobs.

We also have to protect educational opportunity through these difficult times, to keep quality education within reach of America's middle class.

Finally, we need tough, effective leadership to resist the state's attempts to divert water from the San Joaquin Delta, a vital component of our economy and environment.

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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: October 14, 2012 19:27
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