Where I Stand on the Issues

Health Care for All:

Ultimately, California and the United States need a single payer health care system of the type now embraced by most advanced nations in the world. A single-payer system will benefit all and help keep jobs here by reducing health care costs.

Fair Wages and Benefits:

California's tradition of union empowerment and our more realistic living wage standards help working people earn a decent living. We can and should encourage California businesses to form productive partnerships with labor that will create more good-paying jobs with benefits for all employees.

No Tax Havens:

The recent trend for large corporations to move their headquarters offshore to avoid their fair share of taxes has cost us many millions of dollars in tax revenues. Businesses that benefit from our state's tax-supported schools, roads, and public safety agencies should not be able to sneak away and leave working people to pay the bills.

Native American Issues:

California's Native Americans are unique in the United States because of their multiplicity of tribes and languages. Although smaller groups may not have been able to establish their tribal identities like the larger ones, protection of their rights is no less important. Indian gaming establishments have given tribes an economic independence that should be preserved.

Veterans' Issues:

From my 10 years of service in the Navy and Naval Reserve, I have a strong awareness of the conditions veterans face. Veterans from the first Gulf War are still underserved and those returning from Iraq have serious needs. We must be sure that veterans' facilities remain fully staffed, and that new facilities are built as needed. We depend on our military and must keep faith with them after their active service has ended. We need to increase veterans' facilities in this state, not close them.

Senior Issues:

Seniors in California have benefited from nutritional centers, "Meals-on-Wheels" and other vital programs over the last thirty years. These must continue to be fully funded so that the elderly can remain in the mainstream of American life. California must continue to assist those seniors who cannot afford HMO health services and have needs that are not covered by Medicare and Medicaid. We must not step backward in the care of our older citizens.

Women's Issues:

Women in the workplace deserve considerations such as no "glass ceiling" and equal pay for equal work. Child care that is safe and reasonable in cost is important in today's society. Reproductive independence is a right, and women's health choices must remain between them and their doctors. Police Protection: Professional police and sheriff services must be encouraged and maintained for our communities and rural areas. Public safety is one of the primary areas of state government responsibility. Fire Protection: We need a strong fire-watch program and greater first-strike capability for forest fires. This means more firefighters and updated equipment.

Civil Rights:

The Legislature must do all it can to protect the civil rights of all Californians, whether the threats come from private interests or other branches and levels of government.

Alternative Energy:

I support well-planned programs that will utilize our vast free and renewable energy sources to move us toward energy independence. We need to study how prevailing winds can be used to generate electricity. Our efforts to increase solar power installations and improve conservation must not falter, and we must have fair compensation for homes and businesses that return power to the grid. We need to support continuing research in alternative energy sources that are good for California's economy, such as use of fast-growing native plants for the production of bio-diesel fuel.

Environmental Protection:

The natural beauty of the California coastline needs to be fully protected against oil drilling and other hazards. Old growth trees do not constitute a fire danger; they need to be preserved. Our forests and parks attract many visitors and revenues will be lost if we do not maintain them in their natural state. Clean water and erosion control depend on healthy forests.

Budget Accountability:

California needs to have an easier way to fund needed state programs. We should lower the 67% requirement for passing the annual budget and for tax measures.

Higher Education:

Our colleges and universities must be available to all who can profit from them. Excessive costs are pricing many students out of the picture, and provisions are needed to restore the balance. I'll work to make higher education more affordable and accessible to all.

Infrastructure:

We must address California's infrastructure needs carefully. Wise infrastructure improvements, such as insuring the integrity of levees, will make California safer and improve our quality of life.

Issues for California Public Schools:

The integrity of our public school system is under fire because of uncertain financing. Democracy requires an informed electorate. I will work for free and effective public education to extend from pre-school through the community college year.

Small Farms and Businesses:

Reform of workers' compensation is a necessity. It needs to be done not only to lower the cost of doing business, but also to protect injured workers. California has one of the highest insurance rates in the country but our injured workers receive lower compensation than in many other states.

Fair Taxation:

Provisions are needed to equalize California's system of property taxation, especially the Prop. 13 loophole that allows large businesses to escape tax increases when they transfer property. Small businesses and homeowners are subsidizing the wealthy.