League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA March 5, 2013 Election
	Felipe Fuentes Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Los Angeles; District 7

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What do you think is the single most important issue facing the City of Los Angeles today? As Council Member, what would you do to deal with it?

I believe the City needs to get back to the basics of what the people of Los Angeles expect City government to provide: safe and healthy communities, a healthy local economy and the delivery of essential city services like road repair, tree trimming and traffic safety.

I've worked towards these goals since my first city council staff position in 1999 and most recently as the elected representative for the 39th State Assembly district.

2. The City Administrative Officer has estimated a $200M budget shortfall for 2013-2014 increasing to $300M in 2015-2016. What steps do you propose to deal with this problem, and how much do you estimate each step would reduce the shortfall?

I would work with the residents of my community to prioritize the service delivery of those services most needed in my district. I would increase transparency and communication so that all residents understood how much government could afford to deliver in City service. If a budget deficit remained I would then encourage residents to consider revenue increases to satisfy their desired service needs.

3. Do you support the ballot measure to increase the sales tax in the city?

No.

4. What role do you feel the City of Los Angeles has to play in addressing climate change? Please explain in terms of what you as a city councilmember would have the power to do.

Energy efficiency + many homeowners and businesses are unable or unaware of what can be done to decrease their utility costs and the related impact on the environment. I want to increase awareness and program funding to address this solvable problem.

Los Angeles River + the City has a tremendous opportunity in developing the Los Angeles River into a valuable asset by removing the concrete, conserving runoff, creating active and passive recreation space and economic opportunities. Thereby, cooling the surrounding environment and decreasing the need for additional electricity usage associated with air conditioning.

5. How would you prioritize your local constituency versus the City as a whole when acting as a Council Member?

I would work with ALL stakeholders to inform the the best decision making in proposed policy before the Los Angeles City Council.

---

Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Candidate Page || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter

---

Created from information supplied by the candidate: January 4, 2013 15:47
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.