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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Fiscal Choices,
Water,
Education,
Your Priorities
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. How would you prioritize the fiscal choices the Legislature must make to align the state’s income and spending?
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Answer from Carlos R. Arvizu:
The State of California is on the brink of Bankruptcy in my opinion with $340.7 Billion dollars in unfunded pension liabilities. Each day interest is accruing, the debt keeps getting larger and larger, and sugar coating the problem with empty words does not solve the problem..
Drastic cuts in funding many programs may be warranted to prevent bankruptcy. None of our career politicians talk about it, and certainly think there is and endless supply of money, and continue to spend.
If bankruptcy occurs, the court trustee will decide on certain events affecting pensions, and the way to structure our debts and what gets cut. Many union contracts will definitely be severely damaged or eliminated in order for the state to pay its bills.
Each department head of in state government, knows the potential budget shortfalls, by reducing salaries from every branch of state government above the pay grade of Principal, from the governor, both the Assembly and Senate, as well as, the judicial side by 20%, I believe, those who are in charge can find and/or eliminate any duplication or waste of certain governmental functions, when their paychecks are at risk. That's the incentive to cut the waste.
Leadership is taking action on priorities, finding solutions, and taking Action on what needs to be done. The question is do we have the courage to take control, or are we part of the problem..
I know this May Not be a popular idea amongst many lawmakers, but drastic measures requires Drastic Action. A freeze on hiring, and perhaps outsourcing certain functions, that can be cost effective.
Answer from Sally Morales Havice:
EDUCATION: Access to quality education and higher education has become more and more limited. K-12, Community College, Universities and Career/Technical training are in need of funding to expand and improve quality and access. ENVIRONMENT: Water conservation, water contamination, water storage are the most significant environmental issues that we must address and address, soon!
PUBLIC SAFETY: Revisit AB 109(prison realignment and early release problems; jail construction bonds; The answer lies in prevention, intervention and rehabilitation including mental health programs for youth beginning in elementary school as well as their parents, and offenders who will be released when their sentences are served.
ANTI-CORRUPTION - will save the state money in legal fees,and the corruption itself will allow much more focus on the issues that confront our communities and state.
Answer from Irella Perez:
Governor Brown says California faces a "wall of debt". This week the Legislative Analyst issued a report that shows clearly that most of that debt is the money the Legislature has taken from public schools. It's time to start paying that debt - the Legislature took it from our children. Our schools have been badly damaged. I see that damage every day in my school. It's a disgrace.
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2. Given our current drought condition, concern for water rights and usage is an important issue. What solutions would you support to address our water problems?
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Answer from Carlos R. Arvizu:
Draught conditions affect everyone, from the farmers who the grow crops that put food on our tables, as well as meat, that we buy at the grocery store.
Between corruption, mismanagement and environmental concerns, and the cost at the grocery store , we can not afford to wait on miracles. Conservation is not enough. We need Decisive Action.
We need decisive action, creating and implementing and installing Water Desalinization plants, drawing off water from the Pacific Ocean, and piping that water to our aqueduct system, providing water for farmers, and growing plants and trees in barren areas, as well of selling water to Las Vegas who are currently suffering from the draught. This also provides jobs and tax revenues to the state of California and help the environment with oxygen from plant growth.
Answer from Sally Morales Havice:
Allow homeowners to use rainwater collection; create incentives for homeowners, developers and apartment owners to use drought resistant and native vegetation; increase the use of recycled water; case in point -- in Texas some cities are using "toilet to tap" water utilizing practically one hundred percent of the water; directing the State Water Resources Agency to work with counties and local governments to find ways to capture as much rainwater as possible and direct it to the local aquifers.
Answer from Irella Perez:
First, we all have to accept responsibility for our own use of water. All of us have to conserve it. Second, we really have to stop fighting over water storage. We can do so much more to store water at a reasonable cost by replenishing our ground water supplies. Mother Nature has blessed us with massive underground aquifers. We have to technology to replenish those aquifers In wet years.
Answer from Mario A. Guerra:
Water rates are ever increasing and California small businesses including tortilla makers, restaurants, jewelers, construction and the thousands of other enterprises that rely on water are vulnerable to drought.
Here are a few key points that we need to consider:
We cannot conserve our way out of this crisis. Californians are among the most environmentally conscious people on the planet. We have been conserving for years; it is disingenuous to suggest we can simply conserve our way to a reliable and affordable water supply.
We can operate within the law to help refill our reservoirs. The federal and state government have within their power the ability under existing laws and regulations to mandate that we protect our environment, while ensuring that more water be used to refill our reservoirs.
We need more storage. The last dam in California was built over 30 years ago. Blocking efforts to create more storage is a travesty and an affront to commonsense. The ability to stockpile water in existing and new reservoirs means we will have ample water in drought years to recharge the environment, sustain farms, support businesses and serve our 38 million residents.
Water it too vital to be held hostage by partisan politics. We are encouraged that rural and urban Californians are coming together to voice support for a bi-partisan effort that revamps our water management system. We also believe Republicans and Democrats should come to terms to ensure that water needs transcend politics.
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3. California high school students rank lower than many states in student performance. What do you see as the ongoing role of the Legislature in addressing this problem?
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Answer from Mario A. Guerra:
Our state has some of the highest taxes across the country: the highest sales tax, the highest car tax, the highest business tax, and the highest unsecured property tax + just to name a few. While our taxes share high rankings throughout the nation, our educational system is very low in the rankings nationwide. For the first time this year California has spent more on welfare programs than it did on our children's education. This sad state of affairs in Sacramento needs to change. Our priorities need to change.
As Mayor and Councilman in the City of Downey, I worked closely with the Downey Unified School District's Board of Education to maintain the high standards and test scores DUSD is known for. Together we also implemented the CHARACTER Counts! initiative throughout the city and suspensions are down 90% in our schools.
Our children will be competitive in an ever-changing global economy when provided a quality education. One where character is placed at the forefront of the curriculum.
Answer from Irella Perez:
When I see our state leaders bragging about how high school graduation rates are now at 80% I want to remind them that this means they are bragging about 20% of our kids not graduating. Can you image them bragging about 20% unemployment. It's an unacceptably high number...not something to brag about. I decided to run against this failed status quo.
Answer from Carlos R. Arvizu:
Unfortunately, many students graduating high school, lack the necessary skills or lack the desire to attend or complete a four year college. Pushing students that are not prepared to advance to higher education, can often be detrimental not only to the student, but to society as a whole. After talking to many educators, not every child will attend a 4 year college, yet alone graduate from college.
My thinking leads me to believe, that we should test and evaluate each student for career assessment in the 10th, 11th & 12th grade, along with guidance counseling, on which direction and action are necessary to take to assist the child in preparation for career advancement.
I also see, many children and young adults lack the understanding how a checkbook works. Many students seem lost when it comes to simple math. Not all teachers, are created equal. Sometimes, students don't quite comprehend what the teacher is teaching, yet can understand from another student. It might be a benefit for another student to explain certain problems, easier than a teacher trying to explain over 30 students in the classroom. A senior student can earn college credit for assisting other students after hours. This accomplishes several things. 1. The junior student understands how to solve certain problems.
2. Keeps the child off the street, and has a new enthusiasm about problem solving. Their motivated.
3. Gives college credit for the senior student.
4. The student is more prepared to compete and complete in college work.
5. The student has a direction, and guidance to move forward or takes a course correction to better prepare them.
Answer from Sally Morales Havice:
There is no limit to what the state can do to foster academic and career success. Listed here are a few of the top items I would address:
The state needs revisit the credentialing process and requirements. During the 70's we transitioned away from single subject credentialing to multiple subject requirements. From grades four through 12 there is a need to encourage specialists especially in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)areas. We to educate, train and recruit them to teach in our public schools. The state needs to provide more guidance and money to encourage the creation of more and varied pathways to high school diplomas and the workforce through academic as well as career technical training; in other words, we have to make a high school diploma relevant again. Return to block grants i.e. transportation funds; programs for the gifted; STEM programs; and Special Education programs (especially in the area of autism.
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4. What other major issues do you think the Legislature must address? What are your own priorities?
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Answer from Mario A. Guerra:
As State Senator, I will work hard to modify or repeal any laws that hinder public safety and early release of violent prisoners into our community. AB 109 is an example of a lack of regard that our legislators have put on the backs of local government and local law enforcement. Working together with the brave officers of the Downey Police Department, along with the Police Chiefs Association, the Independent Cities Association, and all law enforcement agencies throughout the state, we will continue to make law enforcement our top priority.
Answer from Irella Perez:
ObamaCare excludes undocumented Californians. No access to health insurance. Punishing millions of Californians for not having legal status by condemning them to illness is barbaric. The California Endowment has a plan. Senator Ricardo Lara is trying to implement that plan. I will help them get this done.
Answer from Sally Morales Havice:
Political corruption at the state and local level. One of my first bill introductions would be to expel any legislator who is convicted of a serious crime, regardless of the appeal process; put teeth into the Fair Political Practices Commission laws so that a crime that is considered in the private sector to be a felony becomes one also for a state legislator; elected officials should not be given any immunity or exemption. I would also introduce legislation to ban all gifts to elected officials and staff at all levels of government; require a legislator to list all contributions they have received from special interests related to legislation when it is introduced; legislate a life time ban on legislators from lobbying both in the public and private sectors.
Answer from Carlos R. Arvizu:
Removing the double yellow lines from the carpool lanes, allowing those who drive our freeways, access to move in and out of the carpool lanes during Non Peak Hours of the work week and on week ends too.
Peak hours being from 6:00 am to 9:00 am in the morning and from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the afternoon.
Too much congestion from the freeway system. I understand that the metro transportation Authority has control over this, if legislation is needed to take control, to free up motorist commute, I think this is a benefit, for commuters on all of our freeways. Many accidents can also be prevented by eliminating these double yellow lines in the carpool lane, as many motorist, move in or out of the carpool lanes because they are trapped, and would rather break the law and get where they going, than wait to cross over legally, many times causing accidents, or get a ticket.
A more common sense approach is, If someone uses the car pool lanes in peak hours and don't have the legal requirement occupancy, fines should be triple of what they are now. This is an incentive for Californians to make commuting easier.
If motorist can use the carpool lanes in places like Lancaster, or San Jose up north, Los Angeles commuters should not be penalize for carelessness and mismanaged by those in charge of California highway.
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.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
