League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Riverside County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Bonnie Garcia Answers Questions Candidate for State Senator; District 28

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

California is in the middle of a fiscal crisis that did not end when the Governor declared a budget surplus earlier this year. The true story is that we have long-term unfunded liabilities of hundreds of billions of dollars. State pensions alone are drowning out any hope of an economic recovery or budget surplus. Sacramento must get serious about balancing the budget, reining in spending, and getting California back on solid fiscal ground

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?

Three commonsense solutions must be considered immediately, or our farming and ranching communities, as well as our thirsty cities, will face an ever dire water crisis. First, we need to increase our water storage capacity. We need to store water now for any future dry years, as this latest crisis has shown us. Second, conservation needs to be the priority for every local government in California. Not only do we waste water, but we act as if it will never run out. New efforts to store water will not help if we cannot improve our conservation efforts. Third, we need to uphold water rights when those rights predate current attempts to implement water transfers. By enforcing the water rights and putting California's families and businesses first, we can ensure that this most valuable resource goes where it is most needed.

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?

A top priority for improving education is increased accountability within California's traditional education system. Administrative and educational structures must be regularly evaluated for efficiency. Funding should reach students directly in the classroom instead of being redirected into educational bureaucracy. Scrutinizing and justifying every dollar spent is a necessary part of addressing the failing status quo.

First and foremost, accountability needs to be present at all levels: first-and-foremost parents or guardians, then teachers and districts in conjunction with local leaders and elected officials. Educating our children is a shared responsibility and only when each stakeholder involved cooperates will we begin to truly change the system for the better.

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

Public safety, education, the economy, and the protection of Prop 13 are not simply political talking points; they are the direct responsibility of the state and our representatives. As our economy begins to recover, we need representatives who can help move the state forward responsibly by supporting the officers on the street, the students in the classroom, the businesses in our towns, and the rights of property owners, families, and seniors. As I have in the past, as your Senator I will continue to fight for safer communities, a better public education system, and policies for job creation, while upholding commonsense policies that protect our residents.

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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 16, 2014 07:59
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