League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Contra Costa, Alameda County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Steve Glazer Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 16

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?

1. I strongly support Governor Brown's current budget plan to pay down California's remaining debt and to create a stronger rainy day fund to protect state services.

2. I will fight to curb excessive public pension costs, establish independent leadership on pension boards and limit public pensions to 70% of what an employee earns while working.

3. I am a strong supporter of our K-12 public school system and colleges and universities. Their funding would be a priority.

There is a lot more information about my issue positions at http://www.Glazer4Assembly.com/issues

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?

1. I support enhanced water conservation efforts for residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural uses.

2. I strongly believe in water recycling, reuse and better groundwater management.

3. I support the expansion of water storage facilities that can provide much needed water for personal and business use, as well as to protect various species in our lakes, rivers and streams.

4. I am opposed to the plan to build giant twin tunnels to move Delta water from northern California to southern California as it does not have adequate environmental protections.

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?

1. Local empowerment: We need to empower local school boards to lead on educational issues. The centralization of educational decision-making in Sacramento is not healthy and should be reversed.

2. Teacher Accountability: I believe in accountability at all levels of government, including the public schools. There are few jobs more important or difficult than being a public school teacher. We need to support our teachers in every way possible. But they should also be accountable for performance.

3. School Choice: Allow families to select the best schools for their children. I support the ability of families to select the best school environment for their children, be that a public charter school or a nearby public school. However, I do not support private school vouchers as they siphon off tax dollars from public schools.

4. Classroom effectiveness: State law should set a framework for helping schools hire and retain high-performing teachers in the classroom. Local communities are in the best position to make these decisions that promote classroom effectiveness. A good example: school districts that follow existing law in using test results as a part of a comprehensive teacher evaluation.

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

In the Bay Area, we sometimes take our beautiful environment for granted. This is risky, because environmental stewardship requires ongoing vigilance. Our clean air and water, bays, forests, grasslands and creeks won't stay protected unless they are a part of every discussion.

I strongly believe in an ethos of conservation. It has driven a big part of my three decades of public service. Here are some highlights:

1. In Northern California, I led campaigns to protect old growth redwood forests, San Francisco Bay, parks and open spaces.

2. Working with the Trust for Public Land, I helped pass measures in more than 25 states that protect clean water and thousands of acres of open space.

3. I led successful campaigns to pass multi-billion dollar water and park bonds, which protect clean water, clean air, parks and coastal habitats throughout California

4. In five years of service on the Contra Costa County Solid Waste Authority, I supported programs to significantly increase recycling and reuse practices.

My environmental priorities for the State Assembly include:

1. Conserve water. Protect California's long-term water availability through recycling, reuse and better groundwater practices.

2. Oppose Delta tunnels. The current plan to build massive tunnels to take Delta water to Southern California does not make environmental sense and I firmly oppose it.

3. Protect urban growth boundaries. Voter-approved growth boundaries prevent sprawl and protect the quality of life in our communities.

4. Reduce carbon emissions. One of my key priorities will be to keep California on track to reduce our carbon emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020.

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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 8, 2014 12:53
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