League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Sacramento County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Barbara Ortega Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 8

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 will you prioritize the budget choices the Legislature must make to align the state’s income and spending?

I believe that very hard choices will face state budget policy makers for at least several years to come. I also believe that State Government must live within its means, just like families and business must. I would prioritize education (K-12 and higher education) and public safety in the short term. I would also prioritize much better scrutiny of autopilot spending formulas, and advocate that the Legislature must take on a much stronger oversight role of the massive state bureaucracy. In the medium-to-long-run, the only possible way for the state budget to balance without making draconian choices and slashing billions of dollars in general fund expenditures is to grow the economy. The sooner the Legislature realizes that they have to be an active partner in improving California's horrendous business climate, the faster our economy will recover, and the state budget situation will resolve itself. along with the economy. State and local governments have to lead, follow, or get out of the way. They are strangling the economic expansion Californians of all walks of life desperately need.

2. What types of changes or reforms, if any, do you think are important to make our state government function more effectively?

Zero-based budgeting would be a great start. Department heads should have to demonstrate to the taxpaying citizens of this state that they are doing the absolute best possible job of accomplishing their missions, and explain it in plain language instead of the technocrat-speak which is so prevalent. They should have to do this every year, and pay a heavy price for tolerating waste, abuse and inefficiency.

3. Fees for public higher education have gone up dramatically and funding has been cut. Is this a priority concern, and if so, what measures would you propose to address it?

The public education system in California has to be a top priority. Kids headed to college need to be college-ready. Kids not headed to college need the possess skills when they graduate from high school to advance into technical skills training programs so they can be job-ready. Again, the only solution to addressing the enormous cuts throughout the higher education system is for the State and Local governments to either help drastically improve the business climate, or at least get out of the way. The economy has to grow at a solid 3.5% per year to keep pace. The only way to restore higher education is via economic growth.

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

My first priority is jobs and the economy. Reforming the business climate is job #1. My other priorities include California's children, maintaining our health care infrastructure and helping promote healthy lifestyles for all Californians, and helping improve the quality of life of senior citizens who have suffered serious financial problems because of the recession.

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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 5, 2012 17:44
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