Candidate for
United States Representative; District 30; Democratic Party

What do I stand for?

First, I will focus on restoring the economy to good health. We've been presented with too many false choices this past year between tax cuts on the one hand and spending increases on the other, while unemployment is rising rapidly and more small businesses are failing each day. The truth is that we need both tax reform and targeted investments to stimulate the economy. I pledge to work with both parties to agree on a sensible plan that breaks the current deadlock and gets us moving again.

Second, I will fight for Metrorail service within the district. We all know that traffic and congestion are getting worse. This is the result of population growth, which is projected to continue for the next 50 years. For too many years, we've seen our tax dollars fund Metrorail expansion in many other parts of Los Angeles. We've read about the bungled planning that brought the Green Line within miles of the airport without actually connecting to it and we've seen new lines being planned to distant points in the county. Isn't it time we insist that some of our tax dollars fund service in our own communities? I will fight to bring Metrorail service to our district as quickly as possible.

Third, I believe that every child is entitled to a high quality education in a safe school. California continues to rank near the bottom in national assessments # a sad development, since we previously led the nation in both educational reform and student achievement. Many of us also continue to worry about whether or not our public schools are safe places for learning. Most of the national debate and dialogue has focused on drugs and gun violence, yet some students are particularly vulnerable to other forms of harassment and abuse. I will fight for national laws and funding that improve the quality of education and ensure our schools and communities are safe for all students.