League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Contra Costa, Alameda County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Clarence Hunt Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 15

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?

First, I would author legislation to assure that we have a balanced budget to include all future spending obligations that are not accounted for in the current method of fiscal reporting to the public. The State of California has over $180 billion in obligations that are not accounted for in the most recent budget prepared by the State. My fiscal priorities include increasing social services to seniors, the disabled, mentally ill, increased funding for vocational training in community colleges, and increased funding for first responders to protect against wildfires and other disasters.

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?

First, I support banning fracking which using 6-8 million gallons of water to extract oil and gas while polluting the environment. Second, I support working closely with local water districts to formulate regional water conservation plans.

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?

The ongoing role of the Legislature is to assure that school facilities are renovated and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and curriculums are based upon STEM and Vocational Training. Teachers should be evaluated annually based upon performance to assure that students receive the best education. Finally, public safety is critical to assure a safe educational environment. The Legislature should partner with local school districts to devise strategies to keep students safe.

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

My priorities are job creation, banning fracking, and reopening mental health hospitals. California is viewed as the worst state in America to do business. Companies are leaving California whenever a better offer is made to relocate. Example, California recently lost over 20,000 jobs resulting from Toyota moving it's corporate operations from Torrance, California to Texas. My goal, and the Legislature, must address solutions that stop business exodus from California. Another top priority of the Legislature must be to protect small businesses against excessive taxation that force many small businesses into bankruptcy. The Legislature must expand Enterprise Zone Tax Credits to increase small business hiring. The Legislature must also assure that large banks start lending to individuals and small businesses. I propose that large banks set-aside a percentage of their equity for home mortgages to first time home buyers at low interest rates.

---

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).

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

---

Created from information supplied by the candidate: May 17, 2014 14:20
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.