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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County, an Inter-League Organization (ILO). and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Fiscal Crisis,
Health Care
Click on a name for other candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. If it were entirely up to you, what measures would you take to address Los Angeles County's fiscal crisis?
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Answer from Lynne A. Plambeck:
Solving the County fiscal crisis will require the cooperation of diverse interests. Cooperation is achieved by inclusion and education. I would begin with facilitated strategy summit of representatives from the Sheriffs, firefighters, Unions, business, health care providers, the public county political leaders, and staff members from county departments. I will provide them with a detailed presentation on the budget and required cost reductions, and then listen to where they suggest cuts or find savings. I will incorporate their input into my decisions. I will look first to streamlining bureaucracy rather than eliminating such public benefits as hospitals and parks
Answer from Michael D. Antonovich:
The County can not take a "slash and burn" approach to our budget process. Before we target critical areas of service, we must look at greater efficiencies and areas that do not directly impact the quality of life services we provide within the Sheriff's Department, District Attorney, Probation, Parks, and Libraries.
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2. SB 921, Senator Kuehl's Single-Payer health care proposal currently in the Legislature, would provide universal health coverage for all Californians. What impact would universal single-payer health coverage have on Los Angeles County's health care provision system?
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Answer from Lynne A. Plambeck:
I support SB 921. I believe our current method of providing health care is expensive, inefficient and misses many people. Those people then receive expensive emergency room care or none at all. It will not only help those that now work at low paying or part time jobs that do not provide benefits, but also those highly trained and productive members of our community that lose benefits due to downsizing or export of jobs. SB 921 could help the County solve some of its financial problems by providing health care to those who now must seek it at County expense.
Answer from Michael D. Antonovich:
The Universal Health Care Bill will be a death blow to our economy in the County. Business can not afford the additional cost to provide this mandate. As a result, many will be forced to leave the State. Without the revenue and jobs generated by businesses, this County will face serious fiscal impacts. The impact to Los Angeles County will be less revenue to offset the cost of health care.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
