League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Marin, Sonoma, Humboldt, Mendocino, Del Norte, Trinity Counties, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Jared Huffman Answers Questions Candidate for United States Representative; District 2

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. In this time of high unemployment, what are the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation’s economy?

If elected, my most urgent priority will be getting people back into the workforce. I would work on immediate and short-term strategies to spur economic recovery, coupled with a long-range vision to create and retain quality middle class jobs by fostering innovation, clean energy, domestic manufacturing and sustainable resource management.

2. How should the federal budget deficit be addressed, now and into the future? How should budget priorities for defense and domestic programs be adjusted?

I believe our national debt crisis must be confronted immediately, but that we must do so in a sensible and balanced way that doesn't harm seniors or put our fragile economic recovery at risk. Solutions include targeted cuts in spending, including substantial reductions in military spending; increasing revenues by allowing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans to expire and eliminating special tax breaks and loopholes such as those for oil companies; and key investments in education, clean technology and infrastructure to grow the economy.

3. What are your priorities with respect to our nation’s energy policy? Should there be an emphasis on clean energy and reducing carbon emissions, and/or on reducing our dependence on foreign sources?

In the Assembly, I have supported increasing California's RPS in addition to other bold policies to increase energy efficiency and expand renewables. Among other things, I authored the Renewable Generation and Efficiency Incentives Act (AB 920), which is expanding green energy incentives by requiring utility companies to pay homeowners and small businesses for any surplus power they produce from renewable energy sources; and the Solar Hot Water and Efficiency Act (AB 1470), which created the nation's largest solar hot water program.

4. What, if any, changes should be made to federal health care policies or programs?

We must defend the Affordable Care Act. It's already making a difference for millions of Americans and lives are being saved through coverage that otherwise would have been unavailable. Longer term, America needs single payer. I've co-authored single payer legislation each year in the Assembly and will continue to support it in Congress.

5. What, if any, changes should be made to federal rules on campaign financing?

I support overturning Citizen's United. Additionally, I believe we need increased transparency of campaign contributions. I have co-authored a recent bill, which is currently making its way through the state legislature, the California DISCLOSE Act, AB 1648. This bill will fight back against unlimited hidden spending on campaigns by letting voters know who really is paying for political ads -- on the ads themselves.

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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 15, 2012 15:19
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