League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles, San Bernardino County, CA March 2, 2004 Election
	Fritz R. Ward Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 59; Libertarian Party

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. What does California need to do to address the current budget crisis?

To solve the budget crisis, California first needs to stop paying on the illegally negotiated electricity contracts left over from the Davis administration. This move alone would free up millions of dollars over the next several years. Beyond that, voters in the state need to rethink the proper role of government. We fund far too many programs and enforce far too many laws. It is not a question of cutting some programs but rather of eliminating them. In particular, we could save millions on law enforcement just by eliminating "victimless" crimes.

2. What should the state's priorities be for K-12 education? For the Community College System?

We need to find savings within the budget for education as the state can not afford to continue to increase the education budget. One way this could be accomplished is by allowing school boards more options in the purchase of textbooks. At present, the state only allows Open Court or Houghton Mifflin textbooks. As it happens, these are the most expensive textbooks available. If we offered more choice, we could save money by purchasing good textbooks at a reasonable price instead of giving two companies a monopoly on supply. Not only would we save money, but the freedom of choice in textbooks could also lead to innovations in teaching that actually improve education instead of requiring teachers to read scripted lessons put together by publishers outside of California. More choice at a local level will improve schools.

3. What measures would you support to address California's water needs?

We need a free market in water that adjusts prices according to scarcity. Granting more extensive property rights to local waterboards would go a long way towards solving the state's problems and encouraging conservation.

4. What should the Legislature be doing to address the needs of Californians without health insurance?

California needs to reduce health care costs and can most effectively do this by limiting the regulations placed on health care providers. At present, approximately 2/3 of all health care hours are spent complying with paperwork required by state and federal legislation and insurance companies. This is way too much. By contrast, in areas where health care is relatively unregulated, prices are actually falling. Chiropractic care, full body scans and lasic surgery, all relatively unregulated, have seen falling prices. If we reduce regulation, prices will fall, and health care will be more affordable to everyone.