The Issues
State budget deficits
It is the job of government to provide necessary services without burdening the taxpayers with more taxes. In the current economic climate, spending cuts should be made across the board. I do not support any new taxes, and I do not support Governor Brown’s tax proposal. If the ordinary working people of California must live within their means the state should do the same. Cuts can be made at the Administrative level of government. The long list of state agencies that are regulating businesses into the ground would be my first target. Prop 13 has been a blessing to the people of California. I would not touch it.
Government regulation
The role of government is to provide laws and structure to protect the citizen’s exercise of their constitutional freedoms. In today’s society many private entrepreneurs are looking for ways to start businesses. The role of government should not be to hinder these visionaries but to help them. I support a limited government and embrace the Bill of Rights and appreciate the free market economy, so I believe that the government, at all levels, should adhere to the scope of their constitutions. We should heed Jefferson who said, “The government closest to the people governs best.”
Economy and jobs
Immediately cutting the redundant regulatory agencies of California and eliminating AB 32. Cap and Trade is simply another way to tax business. It would drive more jobs out of California. We as Californians need to quickly turn things around and begin to elect new business-savvy lawmakers who will stop the relentless attack on employers and producers and provide a productive business climate to our people.
High-Speed Rail
I do not support the high speed rail project. It is an expensive mess. Costs have soared as is typical of much in our California state government run amuck. Ridership estimates are unrealistic. Many productive and job-providing farms would be unworkable because of the rail line running through the central valley.
Water and Agriculture
Water is the necessary ingredient in creating a productive agricultural economy. The central valley needs water to continue to provide food for the world, and jobs for Californians. The problem for us farmers is that there are so many state agencies trying to prevent us from providing food and jobs, that once productive farm land is being turned into a dust bowl because we cannot get the water that farmers need. My number one priority is to bring more water to central California. Everyone will benefit from more water.
Education
As a teacher, I experienced first-hand that the most successful students were the ones who had parents and teachers working together to help them succeed. If we put more freedom in the hands of parents, like school vouchers, and charter schools, which have worked quite well in Delano, then we can eliminate bad teachers and provide the best education for our children.
Crime
California has more prisons than any other state and these prisons are over capacity. I feel that Governor Brown’s reorganization plan should decrease the burden on the state, and allow the freedom of local governments to focus on rehabilitation, rather than incarceration. However, the local jails are not designed for long-term prisoners who are violent offenders. The state, as usual, overspends taxpayers’ money. California spends nearly $50,000 per year to house each prisoner, this is far more than other states. It is clear that we need to build more prisons and infrastructure as well as operate more efficiently.
Immigration Reform
As your Assemblyman, I will support:
1 - A program that helps people who want to come to the United States to work to have a simple way to do it.
2 - A safe and secure border, to stop illegal drugs, drug smugglers and other serious criminals from coming into this country and infecting our neighborhoods.
3 - A system like the one Republican President Reagan signed into law that helped me and millions of others become citizens.