League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Placer, Sacramento, El Dorado Counties, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Beth B. Gaines Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 6

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 not a revenue problem in California, there is a spending and prioritization problem. The state government takes in plenty of money to fund core government functions such as public safety and education, and these priorities should not suffer to pay for the grand schemes and pet projects of political cronies. We need to put a stop to slush funds and corporate welfare.

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

I believe we need to enact sunshine laws to give the public a realistic opportunity to review bills before they are voted on and end back-room deals. We should also enact limits on the number of days the legislature can spend in Sacramento, to force other lawmakers to live and work under the laws they create.

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?

Yes, education should be one of the main priorities of state government. That is why I voted to put over a billion dollars of the revenue already generated by the state back into education.

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

The legislature must put a stop to frivolous lawsuit abuse and end the continuous stream of regulations. That is why I authored bills on both of these issues, to give businesses the chance to work on serving their customers and hiring employees instead of paperwork. Water should also be a priority in the legislature. Unfortunately, the current water bond is filled with pork and doesn't address the need for water storage and conveyance systems, while recognizing historic water rights.

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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: July 10, 2012 17:34
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