Families from Cambria to Lompoc, from Los Osos to Los Alamos are feeling the economic crunch.  We've all grown weary of lost jobs, pay cuts, tuition hikes, home foreclosures and tight family budgets. Seniors are worried, and many feel the need to return to the workforce.  People are looking for leaders who understand that government's role is to energize the economy, not to interfere with it. That means balancing government budgets, reforming the way government does business and understanding that helping small businesses survive and thrive is key to the region's economic recovery.

As an accountant, auditor, small business owner and non-profit executive director, I know budgets are a reflection of our values.  Investment in our educational system will pay dividends of individual achievement and a well-qualified and trained workforce and must be fully funded.  I support safety-net programs that are cost effective and save taxpayers money in the long run.  In-home Supportive Services for disabled seniors and child care to allow families to work are two such programs.  I would eliminate salaries for political appointees that cost millions annually.  And the Legislature must look deeper into every program – even the good ones – to eliminate waste, duplication and inefficiency.

In a democracy, all legislative actions must be determined by a majority vote. I will speak out forcefully in favor of an initiative that addresses this structural problem.  I feel the most important problem we face in California is the inability to craft a budget, and the two-thirds majority requirement allows a small ideological group of legislators to hold California hostage for their special-interest purposes.  The result feeds the general public’s perception of the California Legislature as dysfunctional without placing the blame where it belongs – on a small number of legislators who exert their minority view on the majority of Californians.

Strengthening small business is critical to healing our economy.  I support strategies that bring businesses together with nonprofits and the government sector to address issues.  I support resources that provide technical assistance and access to funding through increased small business loans, and tax credits for creating jobs.  I support sensible tax policies that reward success while ensuring fairness.  I support the development of green technologies, alternative energy, and the infrastructure that will add to their successful operations and to the creation of 21st century jobs.

We must understand that 92% of the State’s General Fund budget is restricted (43% K-12 Education, 10% Corrections, 25% Health & Social Services, 14% Higher Education). California voters imposed many of those restrictions. Because of the recession, state revenues decreased 20% or $20 billion, so the current deficit is no surprise.  That's why it's critical that the state reform its budget process. I support zero-based budgeting, a two-year budget process, and more rigorous oversight and accountability.  I also support eliminating big-business tax breaks that disproportionately place the tax burden on middle-class families and small business.  I support reform through the legislative process not a Constitutional Convention.

I will support proven reforms.  We have ample research, both quantitative and qualitative, that clearly shows what works.  This includes class-size reduction, qualified teachers in all core subjects, increasing the number of credentialed counselors, identifying and mitigating learning disabilities, and ensuring that high school equivalency examination allows for training and certification of students who excel in the trades, technical careers and the service sector.  I support Proposition 98, as passed by the voters of California, to guarantee funding of education to ensure all of California’s children are able to achieve.

I support AB 32, although I would consider revising some of its provisions. I would not suspend it. Like the California Small Business Association, I want to be sure the timing and costs are appropriate and achievable. We may need to help small businesses comply -- with tax credits or loans, perhaps. But AB 32 is about doing what we can in California to be part of the solution to global warming, and that's something I support.  AB32 is not a job killer, in fact it invites innovation and new technologies to support a clean environment for future generations.

Immigration is an issue that rightfully belongs under the jurisdiction of the federal government and not the states. Unfortunately, the federal government has dropped the ball. Arizona's law is the wrong approach.  We must focus on stopping criminal activity – the drug trade and human trafficking, not taking away constitutional freedoms of movement.  E-Verify has had bipartisan support for a reason – it helps small employers function within the law without burdening them with red tape and expense. It's time for Congress and the president to do their jobs, adopt appropriate immigration reforms and then the Legislature should carry out its responsibilities in implementing the law.

I have consistently opposed new drilling off of the California coastline and off of the Central Coast specifically.  The horrific Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion is evidence of the risks involved with drilling for oil.  The oil spill is inflicting major damage to sensitive ecosystems and there is no end in sight.  We must seek energy alternatives that decrease our dependence on fossil fuels.  This must be partnered with increased conservation practices to create sustainable communities.  I support an oil extraction fee for big oil companies; California is one of only four states in the country that do not require these fees.

I support current law on medical marijuana. I'm reserving judgment on full legalization, but I remain concerned about its consequences. Growing and selling marijuana remains a federal crime. Are we creating more governmental dysfunction? Under current law, marijuana is treated like pseudoephedrine and prescription pain relievers. Proponents of the measure want to compare it to using tobacco. We've fought for years to reduce tobacco consumption, especially among our youth. How far will this set that effort back?

I believe creative tension between the rights and responsibilities of states and the federal government is in good balance. Neither are fully meeting their responsibilities right now, and I am running to help fix that. Without federal law, however, we would still have racially segregated restrooms and buses in some parts of the country. We would have a far wider disparity between the richest and poorest in this nation. And the environment doesn't recognize state lines. On the other hand, California in particular has done a great job of prodding federal action – on air quality, consumer protection and off-shore drilling, for example. That creative tension works.

I am an accountant and businesswoman, educator and community volunteer.  I hold a B.S. in Business from Cal Poly – SLO and a M.P.A. from Harvard University.  I will be a representative who will negotiate across partisan lines and interests.  Without strong business we cannot have a strong economy, without a wise investment in education, we cannot have an educated workforce, and without a partnership between environmental and economic development interests, we cannot effectively address complex issues that result in a stronger California.  I am a bridge-builder and believe in public participation and accountability in the democratic process.

ADDITIONAL QUESTION:
I am focused on November. Regardless of the identity of the Republican nominee, I am looking forward to debating the issues and engaging with voters. People in this district are hurting and they need to trust that the person they elect will bring sanity back to the state budget process, help small businesses and get people back to work.

I support a two-year budget with oversight and fiscal audits to provide greater certainty to our state's finances. I would reduce the number of commissions and political appointees that cost millions annually.  I support an oil extraction fee, an insurance surcharge to fund wild land firefighting and closure of corporate tax loopholes. As an accountant, auditor, small business owner and non-profit executive director, I know budgets are a reflection of our values.  Investment in our educational system will pay dividends of individual achievement and a well-qualified and trained workforce.  Our dis-investment results in larger prison populations and fewer opportunities for everyone.

The Committee on Accountability & Administrative Review, which identifies savings and efficiencies in the management of state programs and agencies; the Revenue and Taxation Committee; the Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy, which focuses on business advocacy, new technologies, state/local economic development and women/minority business enterprises; the Education Committee, to help restore the quality and financial stability of our schools, and the Committee on Human Services, which includes child welfare services, foster care, child care, nutrition programs, developmental disability services, In-home Supportive Services and community care licensing issues, among others.

No. I have consistently opposed new drilling off of the California coastline and off of the Central Coast specifically.  The horrific Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion in April is evidence of the risks involved with drilling for oil.  The oil spill, which now covers over 1,800 square miles is inflicting major damage to sensitive ecosystems and is beginning to place additional burdens on Louisiana coastal communities.  Instead, we must seek energy alternatives that decrease our dependence on fossil fuels, including wind, solar and co-generation innovations.  This must be partnered with increased conservation practices to create sustainable communities.

As the only Democrat elected citywide on the Santa Maria City Council, I chose to work with rather than against my Republican colleagues. We must move California forward together.  I believe that sound tax policies are one area where this can happen.  For example, we can ensure that large corporations pay their fair share of taxes, that middle-class taxpayers are protected and that the needs of our State’s most vulnerable residents – the homeless, the developmentally disabled, and seniors, among others—can still be met. There are many people on both sides of the aisle who want to protect our environment, for ourselves and for our future.

All politics is local and California is no exception.  People are rightly angry that the State Legislature cannot get its own house in order without raiding the treasuries of hard-pressed cities, counties and school districts. As a Democrat I will serve in the majority and have a seat at the table when it comes to funding decisions for our local communities. As an experienced School Board member and a City Councilwoman, I appreciate that most of our state's services are delivered through local government. Minimizing damage to our local governments IS a statewide issue.

The Williamson Act is a linchpin in preserving California's open space and farmland. The state should always help pay for programs like the Williamson Act that are mandated by the Legislature. That's particularly true for our Central Coast communities that would be placed at risk if the Williamson Act were undermined. The Central Coast must not end up a land of strip malls, where concrete has replaced farmland.  As a City Councilwoman I have consistently supported the “Green-belt” protecting agricultural lands around Santa Maria.  This, and similar policies work in partnership with the Williamson Act and must be supported.