League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Barry Chang Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 28

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?

It is simple, -- WE CANNOT SPEND THE MONEY WE DON'T HAVE. I will focus on job creation, transportation infrastructure for long term economic growth and maintain education excellence of our state. These are the key elements to improve our economy and ensure we can provide the essential services. On the spending side I support creating the rainy day fund to provide safety net services and job-retraining in lean years. We will respect existing contracts but cut windfall. We will reform entitlement programs. We will also consider employing technology to improve efficiency of our services. Personally I'm never afraid to be the lone "NO" vote on projects that do not make financial sense for taxpayers. I have done so in the past and will continue.

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?

I will study storage and recycle solutions. We have better technology and incentive in places to store, conserve and recycle water. We can utilize market forces to address the lawn watering issue. Past experience showed that, by tweaking with prices and using smart meters, we can achieve better water utility.

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?

When I was President and Member of Board of Trustee for Cupertino Union School District, I visited each classroom at least twice each year to ensure teachers are empowered but also held accountable. I insisted money be spent in learning rather than fancy administrative buildings. I preserved the school sites so that we have room to relieve crowding as population grew. As a result, Cupertino public schools ranks among the tops in the states, while receiving below average per pupil funding. As a state legislator, I will continue to demand excellence in schools with efficient use of limited funds. We will create incentives and solutions for the poor performing schools and neighborhoods. While others, supported by special interests, are looking for unproven alternative solutions, I will work with experts, educators and parents to find the root cause of under-performance and fix our schools. I will ensure that we have the funds and the efficiency needed to succeed.

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

I already talked about the job creations, transportation infrastructure for long term economic growth and insisting on education excellence. I want to bring COMMON SENSE back to our state legislature. I will continue to be the lone "NO" vote on projects that do not make financial sense for taxpayers. I will support entitlement program reform where money is wasted on "feel good" programs without real life results.

I will demand the COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS for local and state transportation problems. Transportation infrastructure projects, if done correctly,will lay the ground for the long term growth of our local and state economy. However we cannot allow the current high speed rail project, going from nowhere to nowhere, with little expected ridership, bleeding our taxpayer's money year after year with no return. I have been fighting polluter and special interests. We will preserve and improve California, our land and our home.

As a small business owner for 30 years, I also understand the vitality of small business and entrepreneurship and its critical importance to our economy.
Lastly I'm against any discrimination to any race, gender and ethnicity. I have championed equal rights for all. I will ensure that everyone receive their equal protection and encourage everyone to work together to face the many challenges of today and the future!

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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 24, 2014 23:13
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