League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Orange County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Chris Norby Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 65

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?

Guaranteed funding for education must continue, while welfare is realigned to match national norms. We have 12% of the US population, but 37% of US welfare costs. Infrastructure funding must be user-based, with gas tax reforms needed to meet current realities. Shifting incarceration responsibilities and costs from the state back to the counties will result in major savings.

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

The restoration of redevelopment funds ($6 billion annually) to public schools and other services has been a major accomplishment. Pension reforms are needed immediately to reduce general fund obligations. Tax subsidies to favored industries (movie-making, energy, etc.) must be closed. Ending categorical funding mandates will give school boards the ability to use resources more effectively. Our criminal justice system must focus on real public threats and deal with statutory offenders tracked in more cost-effective ways.

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?

Professors must refocus on classroom instruction, and devote more time to the classroom rather than research. Community college attendance procedures need to reflect actual students--taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for those who have dropped out. Administrative overhead must simplified to free up more classroom resources.

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

Over 1,300 bills were passed last session, most of them merely making our lives more complicated and more expensive. We need to focus on a few areas, especially reforming our tax system and public education. Huge local revenue disparities among local government must be addressed. The English Language Learner (ELL) program costs $1.5 billion annually with very little benefit. Good teaching can be identified and rewarded, and top-heavy administration should be cut back. A diversity of views must be respected--we don't need one-party domination of all branches of state government.

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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: November 4, 2012 15:44
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