League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles, Orange County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Sally Morales Havice Answers Questions Candidate for State Senator; District 32

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?

EDUCATION: Access to quality education and higher education has become more and more limited. K-12, Community College, Universities and Career/Technical training are in need of funding to expand and improve quality and access. ENVIRONMENT: Water conservation, water contamination, water storage are the most significant environmental issues that we must address and address, soon! PUBLIC SAFETY: Revisit AB 109(prison realignment and early release problems; jail construction bonds; The answer lies in prevention, intervention and rehabilitation including mental health programs for youth beginning in elementary school as well as their parents, and offenders who will be released when their sentences are served. ANTI-CORRUPTION - will save the state money in legal fees,and the corruption itself will allow much more focus on the issues that confront our communities and state.

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?

Allow homeowners to use rainwater collection; create incentives for homeowners, developers and apartment owners to use drought resistant and native vegetation; increase the use of recycled water; case in point -- in Texas some cities are using "toilet to tap" water utilizing practically one hundred percent of the water; directing the State Water Resources Agency to work with counties and local governments to find ways to capture as much rainwater as possible and direct it to the local aquifers.

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?

There is no limit to what the state can do to foster academic and career success. Listed here are a few of the top items I would address:

The state needs revisit the credentialing process and requirements. During the 70's we transitioned away from single subject credentialing to multiple subject requirements. From grades four through 12 there is a need to encourage specialists especially in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)areas. We to educate, train and recruit them to teach in our public schools. The state needs to provide more guidance and money to encourage the creation of more and varied pathways to high school diplomas and the workforce through academic as well as career technical training; in other words, we have to make a high school diploma relevant again. Return to block grants i.e. transportation funds; programs for the gifted; STEM programs; and Special Education programs (especially in the area of autism.

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

Political corruption at the state and local level. One of my first bill introductions would be to expel any legislator who is convicted of a serious crime, regardless of the appeal process; put teeth into the Fair Political Practices Commission laws so that a crime that is considered in the private sector to be a felony becomes one also for a state legislator; elected officials should not be given any immunity or exemption. I would also introduce legislation to ban all gifts to elected officials and staff at all levels of government; require a legislator to list all contributions they have received from special interests related to legislation when it is introduced; legislate a life time ban on legislators from lobbying both in the public and private sectors.

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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 25, 2014 20:17
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