League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Barbi S. Appelquist Answers Questions Candidate for State Senator; District 26

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 would you prioritize the fiscal choices the Legislature must make to align the state’s income and spending?

The best way to align the state's income and spending is to prioritize spending on issues that will create and retain jobs while supporting hard-working families. A more robust film and television tax credit program will not only create jobs for Californians, but will make sure they can keep them. Also, we need to provide more opportunities for our veterans, who have invaluable skills and training that would greatly improve the California economy. However, fiscal alignment is not just a contemporary issue, but one that will continue on into the future. We need to invest in our future if we want a real solution, we need to find ways to inspire today's youngest children to be tomorrow's leaders.

2. Given our current drought condition, concern for water rights and usage is an important issue. What solutions would you support to address our water problems?

We need to protect water rights for all individuals while also balancing the need for greater conservation. Increased education on how to conserve water even when we are not in a drought would help immensely. However, we also need to make sure that our water providers can closely monitor and tailor water dispersal for every city's specific needs. City governments are much better equipped to respond to their unique needs and should therefore be allowed greater control over their water usage. Currently, much of our water comes from sources that are very far away. We should invest in new technologies that will allow us to increase our reliance on locally sourced water, rather than imported water.

3. California high school students rank lower than many states in student performance. What do you see as the ongoing role of the Legislature in addressing this problem?

As a graduate of a San Diego public high school, I understand this issue intimately. The Legislature must provide equality of opportunity but value more than one or two skill sets. Every individual has something unique to offer and we must find ways to foster and develop these qualities. This nurturing and development starts early. If elected, I will push for providing universal preschool. As a mother with a 6-year old daughter, I know that preschool is the foundation of education and development. Children learn invaluable skills and tools in preschool, and without a strong foundation, our students and schools suffer.

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

Most importantly, we need our Legislature to be more responsive to the people's needs and concerns. If elected, I will do exactly that. I am running as a concerned citizen and a motivated neighbor. As a first-time candidate, I am free from special interests and big business. I will therefore be able to spend more time listening and responding to my constituents, the most important stakeholders of the political process. Next, as a two-time cancer survivor, I know from experience how important quality insurance is for our health. Some of my main priorities are to help improve Covered California and the Affordable Care Act to make sure that it will be as strong and sustainable as possible and to expand opportunities for nurses who we will rely on even more for our basic health care needs. This way, we can be assured that health insurance and quality health care will be available into the future for all. Not only that, but we need to make our communities safer for their residents. I would push for increased support for local law enforcement agencies and improved rehabilitation programs like Homeboy Industries. Finally, we live in a wonderful state filled with natural beauty. We must protect our environment from unnecessary and harmful development so that future generations can admire California's pristine beauty. By restricting hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and extending the oil platform ban's distance from our shores, we can keep the coastline safe for future generations.

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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 26, 2014 07:04
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