fresno elections 2008

Californians are the 4th highest taxed citizens in the United States and we send a higher percentage of our income to Sacramento every year. In this time of fiscal uncertainty the taxpayers of California cannot afford any more financial burdens than they are already facing. The State needs to live within its means by cutting fat, reducing wasteful spending and making sound budget decisions. Additionally, we can start preparing for future problems by saving funds when we have a surplus, instead of spending on pork-barrel projects. Sacramento doesn’t have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. A sound, conservative fiscal policy should be a top priority for the state legislature.

I am strong a proponent of redistricting. Our current method of having politicians draw their own district lines has proven to be disastrous. As they are currently drawn, most seats in the California state legislature never change party hands, which doesn’t encourage bipartisan decision making.

Fortunately, in the Central Valley, we are blessed with a number of legislators who have put aside partisan differences and work together to bring more resources and attention to our area. Many of our legislators, past and current, have fought side by side to bring us funding for roads, highways and other important projects. They have demanded that the Central Valley receive its fair share, after years of watching our Sacramento tax dollars get redirected to projects in LA and San Francisco.

I would continue the efforts of our representatives to put partisanship aside and work for the betterment of our region.

It is imperative that we start to prioritize the needs in our state, which include investment in our crumbling infrastructure. Infrastructure needs have been on the back burner and account for less than 10% or the state’s budget.

Our budget crisis is minuscule in comparison to the total collapse of the state’s economy should the delta fail as a result of a natural disaster. I believe the state should take ANY means available to secure the necessary water storage i.e. surface, ground and a peripheral canal, to do anything less is irresponsible of our legislature.

One of the fundamental reasons I am running for the Assembly is because our region needs much more attention that it has historically received from the state. It is important that the San Joaquin Valley delegation continue to fight for the return of our tax dollars to our region and not send our dollars to California’s larger cities. Some of our small communities are running with insufficient water delivery systems and dated infrastructure. I will look for every opportunity to aid our small towns who have been paying Sacramento for years. These communities deserve an investment return for their own communities. I will also fight to bring our infrastructure, water storage and education dollars to the Valley.

I would not change the existing laws that have been enacted through a combination of statewide propositions and legislative acts. I am comfortable with the existing agreements set between the tribes who operate casinos and the state. I do not encourage or support off-reservation casinos nor do I support reservation shopping.

Accessing quality healthcare is one of the biggest problems many families are facing in the Central Valley. Our rural regions are facing a severe shortage of qualified healthcare professionals and access to basic treatment and services. We need to encourage incentives to open and continue operate healthcare facilities in our regions underserved areas. I will also support vocational education that trains medical professionals who understand the needs of our Valley residents. Even though a plan wasn’t agreed upon last year, it is important that we keep working towards an acceptable solution to the ever increasing problem of access and affordability of healthcare. It is also important that we look to new solutions and I will work with the Governor and the legislature to find answers to a growing problem in our state and region.

There is no question that air quality is a problem in the San Joaquin Valley. We owe it to ourselves to work together and not let partisan bickering and political grandstanding get in the way of meaningful solutions. We must support and expand incentives and funding so our Valley businesses will have the means to make effective changes in their practices. However, we must be diligent to ensure that we do not destroy our economy and hurt our hard-working families in the process. We need to have the support mechanisms in place, like the Carl Moyer program, to allow our homes and businesses to make the necessary adjustments so we don’t incur more losses in jobs. Livable air quality is an achievable goal if we work together to find real solutions.