This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/state/ for current information. |
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Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Member of the State Assembly; District 15 | |||||
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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.
Answer from Elizabeth Echols:
In addition, our state's social safety net has been cut to shreds during the state's budget crisis and must be restored. We should restore services to promote economic recovery in our communities. Answer from Tony Thurmond:
California needs to lead the way - I fully support increasing education funding statewide by closing Prop 13 loopholes to tax corporations, taxing the wealthiest 1% of Californians and Big Oil with an oil extraction fee. Such fees will generate the necessary funding we need to give our kids, families and seniors a California as good as our promise.
Answer from Elizabeth Echols:
We also should provide state funding to help local water agencies conduct outreach to engage more people in successful water conservation projects, upgrade current water systems and invest in new technologies to more efficiently use current water supplies. Answer from Tony Thurmond:
We should engage in responsible water management efforts such as developing innovative irrigation efforts, recycling gray water systems and storm water, creating effective mechanisms that minimize water wastage and generally promoting smart water usage techniques in order to diversify the life and use of our water.
Answer from Elizabeth Echols:
We should start by creating universal transitional kindergarten, guaranteeing a quality educational experience that prepares 4 year olds to start kindergarten ready to learn. That's the first battle, but with the possibility of 12 years in the Legislature, I'll work towards access to universal early childhood education that begins even earlier. Answer from Tony Thurmond:
A former School Board Member, I've worked closely with teachers, parents and students. I also led efforts that reduced school suspensions by 27%, reduced dropout rates and truancy, and kept four local public schools from closing.
Answer from Elizabeth Echols:
We also should build California's leadership in environmental protection and expand our green economy. In the Assembly, I will work to combat climate change, place a moratorium on fracking in California, and protect the San Francisco Bay and the tidal marsh habitat. Answer from Tony Thurmond:
From helping foster kids stay in stable homes to keeping once-troubled youth in school to getting East Bay residents and all Californians back to work, I understand that we need to get at the root of our district's most pressing challenges, especially when it comes to protecting our youth and keeping our communities safe.
As a member of the Assembly, I plan to focus on:
1) Creating family-sustaining jobs and job training programs--to provide living wages for our working families, strengthen our middle class and to end the joblessness and hopelessness that result in violence in our communities;
2) Ensuring that every Californian has access to affordable health care, mental health programs and resources, and that our seniors have access to affordable medication and in-home care if needed;
3) Ensuring our children have access to the best education, affordable college and higher education and professional training so that they acquire the hard skills it takes to be successful adults
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page. |