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Former Member, Banking and Financial Institutions Committee, California State Senate
Former Member, Labor and Industrial Relations Committee, California State Senate
Former Member, Natural Resources and Water Committee, California State Senate
Former Member, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, California State Senate
— Awards:
1. What is your stance on abortion?
- Pro-choice
Should there be more restrictions on the current process of purchasing a gun?
- Yes
Do you support the legalization of same sex marriage?
- Yes
Should gay couples have the same adoption rights as straight couples?
- Yes
Should employers be required to pay men and women the same salary for the same job?
- Yes, and businesses should be required to publish their salary ranges for each position
Should the government enforce a "stay-at-home" order to combat the coronavirus?
- Yes
Should the government increase environmental regulations to prevent climate change?
- Yes
Should the government continue to fund Planned Parenthood?
- Yes
Do you support the impeachment of President Donald Trump?
- Yes
Should the government require children to be vaccinated for preventable diseases?
- Yes, but only for deadly contagious diseases
Should marital rape be classified and punished as severely as non-marital rape?
- Yes, and consentual sex with a spouse under the age of 18 should be classified as statutory rape
Should health insurers be allowed to deny coverage to individuals who have a pre-existing condition?
- No
Should police officers be required to wear body cameras?
- Yes
Should the federal government institute a mandatory buyback of assault weapons?
- Yes
Should a business be able to deny service to a customer if the request conflicts with the owner’s religious beliefs?
- No
Should the government regulate the prices of life-saving drugs?
- Yes, and we should socialize medicine and healthcare
Should "gender identity" be added to anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
- No
Should health insurance providers be required to offer free birth control?
- Yes
Should adults that are illegally attempting to cross the U.S. border be separated from their children?
- No
Should the U.S. raise taxes on the rich?
- Yes
Should the government increase funding for mental health research and treatment?
- Yes
When should your state end the "Stay at Home" order and reopen its economy?
- Until a vaccine is approved by the FDA
Should the U.S. build a wall along the southern border?
- No
Should there be a temporary ban on all immigration into the United States?
- No
Do you support increasing taxes for the rich in order to reduce interest rates for student loans?
- Yes
Should the government raise the federal minimum wage?
- Yes
Should Muslim immigrants be banned from entering the country until the government improves its ability to screen out potential terrorists?
- No, banning immigrants based on their religion is unconstitutional
Should local police increase surveillance and patrol of Muslim neighborhoods?
- No, targeting Muslims is unconstitutional, racist, and incendiary
Should the federal government pay for tuition at four-year colleges and universities?
- Yes
Should the redrawing of Congressional districts be controlled by an independent, non-partisan commission?
- Yes, gerrymandering gives an unfair advantage to the party in power during redistricting
Should the military allow women to serve in combat roles?
- Yes, preventing women from serving in combat roles is discriminatory
Should businesses be required to provide paid leave for full-time employees during the birth of a child or sick family member?
- Yes
Should the U.S. go to war with Iran?
- No
Should illegal immigrants have access to government-subsidized healthcare?
- Yes, if they pay taxes
Should people on the "no-fly list" be banned from purchasing guns and ammunition?
- Yes, if the government considers you too dangerous to board a plane you should not be able to buy a gun
Should children of illegal immigrants be granted legal citizenship?
- Yes
Should every 18 year old citizen be required to provide at least one year of military service?
- No
Should immigrants be deported if they commit a serious crime?
- Yes, as long as it is safe for them to return to their country
Should the U.S. remain in the United Nations?
- Yes
Are you in favor of decriminalizing drug use?
- Yes
Should foreign lobbyists be allowed to raise money for American elections?
- No, foreign interests should not be able to buy the influence of our politicians
Should the federal government increase funding of health care for low income individuals (Medicaid)?
- Yes, but I prefer switching to a single payer healthcare system
Do you support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?
- Yes, but a mandatory single payer system would be even better
Should there be term limits set for members of Congress?
- Yes, term limits will increase performance and prevent corruption
Do you support the legalization of Marijuana?
- Yes
Should the electoral college be abolished?
- Yes
Should the U.S. raise or lower the tax rate for corporations?
- Raise
Should local law enforcement be allowed to detain illegal immigrants for minor crimes and transfer them to federal immigration authorities?
- No, only if they are convicted of a violent crime
Do you support the death penalty?
- No
1. Should there be a limit to the amount of money a candidate can receive from a donor?
- Yes, politicians should not be bought by wealthy donors
Do you support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources?
- No, we should pursue more sustainable energy resources instead
Should the government attempt to influence foreign elections?
- No, and we should not try to influence any other country’s elections or policy
Should the NSA (National Security Agency) be allowed to collect basic metadata of citizen’s phone calls such as numbers, timestamps, and call durations?
- No, only with a warrant showing probable cause of criminal activity
Do you support a single-payer healthcare system?
- Yes
Should immigrants be required to learn English?
- No, we should embrace the diversity that immigrants add to our country
Should it be illegal to join a boycott of Israel?
- No, this is a violation of free speech
Should working illegal immigrants be given temporary amnesty?
- Yes, create a simple path to citizenship for immigrants with no criminal record
Should sanctuary cities receive federal funding?
- Yes
Should transgender athletes be allowed to compete in athletic events?
- Yes, but only if their hormone levels are equivalent to those in the gender category in which they compete
1. Should the U.S. remain in NATO?
- Yes, but NATO should focus more on counter-terrorism strategies
Should victims of gun violence be allowed to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers?
- Yes, any business should be held liable if the primary use of its product is for illegal activity
Should the government give tax credits and subsidies to the wind power industry?
- Yes, the government should support more sustainable energy technologies
Should the President be able to authorize military force against Al-Qaeda without Congressional approval?
- No
Should states be allowed to display the Confederate flag on government property?
- No, it is a symbol of racism, separatism and treason
Should foreigners, currently residing in the United States, have the right to vote?
- Yes
Do you support the killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani?
- No
Should the military be allowed to use enhanced interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding, to gain information from suspected terrorists?
- No, torture is inhumane, unethical, and violates the 8th amendment
Should illegal immigrants be offered in-state tuition rates at public colleges within their residing state?
- Yes
Should the government regulate social media sites, as a means to prevent fake news and misinformation?
- No, the government should not determine what is fake or real news
Should the U.S. increase restrictions on its current border security policy?
- No, make it easier for immigrants to access temporary work visas
Should a photo ID be required to vote?
- No
Should businesses be required to have women on their board of directors?
- No, the government should never require the diversity of private businesses
Should the government hire private companies to run prisons?
- No, private prisons will sacrifice quality of care and rehabilitation services for profit
Should the government prevent "mega mergers" of corporations that could potentially control a large percentage of market share within its industry?
- Yes, and the government should break up existing mega corporations
Should internet service providers be allowed to speed up access to popular websites (that pay higher rates) at the expense of slowing down access to less popular websites (that pay lower rates)?
- No
Should disposable products (such as plastic cups, plates, and cutlery) that contain less than 50% of biodegradable material be banned?
- Yes
Should welfare recipients be tested for drugs?
- No
Should the U.S. expand offshore oil drilling?
- No, and provide more incentives for alternative energy production
Should the U.S. continue to support Israel?
- We should give equal support to Israel and Palestine.
Should immigrants be required to pass a citizenship test to demonstrate a basic understanding of our country’s language, history, and government?
- Yes, but it should only cover very basic and simple topics
Should terminally ill patients be allowed to end their lives via assisted suicide?
- Yes, but only after a psychological examination to show they fully understand this choice
Should political candidates be required to release their recent tax returns to the public?
- Yes, and require a public audit each year they are in office
Should the U.S. withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement?
- No
Should the government make cuts to public spending in order to reduce the national debt?
- No
1. Should corporations, unions, and non-profit organizations be allowed to donate to political parties?
- No, and political campaigns should be publicly funded
Should the US increase or decrease the amount of temporary work visas given to high-skilled immigrant workers?
- Increase, our economy relies on businesses hiring the highest skilled workers at the lowest cost
Do you support the Patriot Act?
- No, and pass strict laws prohibiting government surveillance without probable cause and a warrant
Should people be required to work in order to receive Medicaid?
- No, the vast majority of people who receive Medicaid are disabled
Do you support a universal basic income program?
- Yes, everyone should receive an income to cover basic necessities including food and housing
Should the federal government be allowed to negotiate drug prices for Medicare?
- Yes
Should universities provide "trigger warnings" and "safe spaces" for students?
- Yes
Should it be illegal to burn the American flag?
- No, this is a violation of free speech
Should there be a 5-year ban on White House and Congressional officials from becoming lobbyists after they leave the government?
- Yes, and ban all forms of lobbying
Should the U.S. conduct military strikes against North Korea in order to destroy their long-range missile and nuclear weapons capabilities?
- No, we must use every diplomatic option first
Should the minimum voting age be lowered?
- No, and voters should be required to pass a basic test demonstrating their understanding of politics in order to vote
Should there be fewer or more restrictions on current welfare benefits?
- Fewer, and ensure benefits go to those that need it most
Do you believe labor unions help or hurt the economy?
- Help, in theory but have recently become corrupt and should have their powers limited
Should the government pass laws which protect whistleblowers?
- Yes, but only if releasing the information does not threaten our national security
Should the U.S. provide military aid to Saudi Arabia during its conflict with Yemen?
- No, and cut ties with Saudi Arabia until they end their human rights violations
Should women be allowed to wear a Niqab, or face veil, to civic ceremonies?
- Yes, we should respect all cultural traditions
Should the government increase or decrease military spending?
- Decrease
Should the Supreme Court be reformed to include more seats and term limits on judges?
- Yes
Should prisons ban the use of solitary confinement for juveniles?
- Yes, and we should create more social programs to help prevent and rehabilitate criminals
Should the IRS create a free electronic tax filing system?
- Yes
Should the U.S. accept refugees from Syria?
- Yes
Do you support affirmative action programs?
- Yes
Do you support Common Core national standards?
- Yes, I support the concept but not the current implementation
Should the US assassinate suspected terrorists in foreign countries?
- No
Should the government support a separation of church and state by removing references to God on money, federal buildings, and national monuments?
- Yes, but do not waste money removing existing references
Should the government increase the tax rate on profits earned from the sale of stocks, bonds, and real estate?
- Yes, and increase to the average U.S. tax rate (31.5%)
Should cities open drug "safe havens" where people who are addicted to illegal drugs can use them under the supervision of medical professionals?
- Yes, drug abuse should be treated as a health issue, not a criminal issue
Should the government stop construction of the Dakota Access pipeline?
- Yes
Should the US increase or decrease foreign aid spending?
- Increase, but only for countries that have no human rights violations
Should the U.S. send ground troops into Syria to fight ISIS?
- No, we should stay out of this conflict
Should the government require businesses to pay salaried employees, making up to $46k/year, time-and-a-half for overtime hours?
- Yes, and all employees should be paid time-and-a-half for overtime hours regardless of their pay scale
Should the government be allowed to seize private property, with reasonable compensation, for public or civic use?
- Yes, but only in extreme cases of national emergency
Should the military fly drones over foreign countries to gain intelligence and kill suspected terrorists?
- No, only to gather intelligence, not to kill suspected terrorists
Should foreign terrorism suspects be given constitutional rights?
- Yes, give them a fair trial and shut down Guantanamo Bay
Should the government use economic stimulus to aid the country during times of recession?
- Yes, but in the form of increased spending on infrastructure
Should there be more or less privatization of veterans’ healthcare?
- Less, we should increase funding to improve the current system instead
Should the government raise the retirement age for Social Security?
- No, this will disadvantage low income seniors whose life expectancy is lower than wealthier seniors
Should producers be required to label genetically engineered foods (GMOs)?
- Yes, but I would prefer to ban GMOs
Should the federal government fund Universal preschool?
- Yes
Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?
- Yes
Should the United States pull all military troops out of Afghanistan?
- Yes
Should immigrants to the United States be allowed to hold dual citizenship status?
- Yes, unless they have committed an act of terrorism
Should a politician, who has been formerly convicted of a crime, be allowed to run for office?
- Yes, as long as it was not a felony, violent, financial, or sexual crime
Do you support mandatory minimum prison sentences for people charged with drug possession?
- No
Should the U.S. continue to participate in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?
- Yes, NAFTA helps lower the prices of consumer products
Should the current estate tax rate be decreased?
- No, and increase it at a progressive rate
Do you support the use of nuclear energy?
- No, we should invest in cleaner alternatives such as wind, hydroelectric, thorium, and geothermal
Should drug traffickers receive the death penalty?
- No, I do not believe in the death penalty
Should the government fund space travel?
- Yes, and drastically increase NASA’s current budget
Should the U.S. formally declare war on ISIS?
- No, we should not legitimize ISIS as a sovereign entity
Do you support President Obama’s move to lift the trade and travel embargo on Cuba?
- Yes
Should the government add or increase tariffs on products imported into the country?
- No, a global free trade system is better for our businesses and consumers
Should the U.S. increase tariffs on imported products from China?
- No
Should the U.S. provide military assistance to defend Ukraine from Russia?
- No, we should pursue diplomatic options instead
Should the President offer tax breaks to individual companies to keep jobs in the U.S.?
- No, but drastically increase taxes and import tariffs on outsourcing businesses
Should the government break up Amazon, Facebook and Google?
- No
1. Should the U.S. defend other NATO countries that maintain low military defense budgets relative to their GDP?
- Yes, and refusing to defend other NATO countries sets a dangerous precedent for the balance of global power
Should the Federal Reserve Bank be audited by Congress?
- Yes, we deserve to know who the bank gives money to
Should the government subsidize farmers?
- Yes, but only small local farms instead of large corporations
Would you favor an increased sales tax in order to reduce property taxes?
- No, property taxes are the most reliable and consistent form of state revenue
Should the U.S. continue NSA surveillance of its allies?
- No, spying on our allies severely damages our reputation abroad
Should U.S. citizens be allowed to save or invest their money in offshore bank accounts?
- No
Should pension plans for federal, state, and local government workers be transitioned into privately managed accounts?
- No, privately managed accounts will jeopardize the financial security of senior citizens
Should the U.S. government grant immunity to Edward Snowden?
- Yes, he should be protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act
Do you support charter schools?
- Yes, but not at the expense of funding public schools
Should the U.S. prevent Russia from conducting airstrikes in Syria?
- No, all airstrikes should be conducted through UN coordination
Should non-violent prisoners be released from jail in order to reduce overcrowding?
- Yes
Do you support the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)?
- Yes, it will bring economic growth to all countries involved
Should the U.S. sell military weapons to India in order to counter Chinese and Russian influence?
- No, and we should increase diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully
Should pension payments be increased for retired government workers?
- Yes, adjust them yearly for cost of living
Should the government increase spending on public transportation?
- Yes
Should Jerusalem be recognized as the capital of Israel?
- No
Should an in-state sales tax apply to online purchases of in-state buyers from out-of-state sellers?
- No, the federal government does not have the authority to impose state and local taxes
Should the government decriminalize school truancy?
- Yes
Should the Chinese government be able to extradite fugitives from Hong Kong?
- No
Should cities be allowed to offer private companies economic incentives to relocate?
- No
Should the government classify Bitcoin as a legal currency?
- No, it provides too high of risk for criminal activity
Should the government acquire equity stakes in companies it bails out during a recession?
- No
Should the United States acquire Greenland?
- No
Should the military upgrade Air Force One?
- No, not until the cost ($4B) is dramatically reduced
Should sports betting be legal?
- Yes, but let each state decide
1. Abortions should always be illegal.
- No Answer
2. Abortions should always be legal.
- X
3. Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
- No Answer
4. Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
- X
5. Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
- X
6. Prohibit public funding of abortions and to organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
- No Answer
7. Require clinics to give parental notification before performing abortions on minors.
- No Answer
8. Other or expanded principles
- I support a woman's right to choose.
1. Education (Higher)
- Greatly Increase
2. Education (K-12)
- Greatly Increase
3. Environment
- Greatly Increase
4. Health care
- Greatly Increase
5. Law enforcement
- Greatly Increase
6. Transportation and Highway infrastructure
- Greatly Increase
7. Welfare
- Slightly Increase
8. Emergency preparedness
- Slightly Increase
9. Other or expanded categories
- We must work to make government more efficient with existing resources to better serve our communities.
1. Alcohol taxes
- Slightly Increase
2. Capital gains taxes
- No Answer
3. Cigarette taxes
- Slightly Increase
4. Corporate taxes
- Slightly Increase
5. Gasoline taxes
- Maintain Status
6. Income taxes (incomes below $75,000)
- No Answer
7. Income taxes (incomes above $75,000)
- No Answer
8. Property taxes
- Maintain Status
9. Sales taxes
- Maintain Status
10. Vehicle taxes
- Maintain Status
11. Other or expanded categories
- I would close corporate tax loopholes and ask multi-millionaires to pay their fair share.
12. Should the state sales taxes be extended to Internet sales?
- No
13. Should accounts such as a ?rainy day? fund be used to balance the state budget?
- No
14. Should fee increases be used to balance the state budget?
- No Answer
15. Should the state sell bonds in order to fund levee repair?
- Yes
16. Should the state sell bonds in order to provide further funding for transportation and public works?
- Yes
17. Other or expanded principles
- Some fee increases may be appropriate to cover the cost of services, but I would not support fee increases that disproportionately affect middle class families, such as increaases in college tuition.
1. Do you support the current limit of terms for California governors?
- Yes
2. Do you support the current limit of terms for California's state senators and representatives?
- Yes
1. Individual
- Yes
2. PAC
- Yes
3. Corporate
- Yes
4. Political Parties
- Yes
5. Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
- Yes
6. Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
- Yes
7. Do you support adopting statewide standards for counting, verifying and ensuring accuracy of votes?
- Yes
8. Do you support prohibiting media exit polling of voters until all polling locations in California are closed?
- Yes
9. Should California recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
- Yes
10. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer
1. Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and hiring of additional prison staff.
- X
2. Support the death penalty in California.
- X
3. Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
- X
4. End parole for repeat violent offenders.
- X
5. Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
- X
6. Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
- No Answer
7. Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
- X
8. Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
- No Answer
9. Make crimes based on race, ethnic background, religious belief, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation be prosecuted as hate crimes.
- X
10. Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
- X
11. Increase state funding for state and local emergency agencies to prevent or respond to terrorism.
- X
12. Strengthen sex-offender laws.
- X
13. Support the restriction of the sale of products used to make methamphetamine (e.g. tablets containing pseudophedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine).
- X
14. Make offenders who fall under the Sexually Violent Predators Act complete treatment before becoming eligible for release.
- X
15. Grant a court hearing only once every five years for offenders who fall under the Sexually Violent Predators Act and decline treatment.
- No Answer
16. Renew Proposition 36, which requires treatment instead of incarceration for non-violent drug offenders.
- X
17. Please list what changes (if any) you would make to Proposition 36. Please use forty (40) words or less.
- Recent studies are showing that Proposition 36 is working and helping to alleviate our overburdened prison system. I look forward to working with law enforcement to continue to monitor Proposition 36's progress and make changes as necessary.
18. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer
1. Support national standards and testing of public school students.
- No Answer
2. Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any public school.
- X
3. Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any private or religious school.
- No Answer
4. Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
- X
5. Increase funds for hiring additional teachers.
- X
6. Support teacher testing and reward with merit pay.
- No Answer
7. Endorse voluntary prayer in public schools.
- No Answer
8. Require public schools to administer high school exit exams.
- No Answer
9. Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
- X
10. Increase funding for Head Start programs.
- X
11. Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
- X
12. Support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods.
- X
13. Support abstinence-only sexual education programs.
- No Answer
14. Other or expanded principles
- I will work to ensure our students have access to up-to-date text books and that every child can read at grade level by third grade.
1. Increase funding for state job-training programs that retrain displaced workers and teach skills needed in today?s job market.
- X
2. Reduce state government regulations on the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion.
- No Answer
3. Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
- X
4. Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for children in low-income working families.
- X
5. Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
- X
6. Include sexual orientation in California's anti-discrimination laws.
- X
7. Increase the state minimum wage.
- X
8. Other or expanded principles
- Economic investment is important to my district and I have worked hand in hand with local businesses to help them access financial and technical assistance.
1. Public employment
- No
2. State college and university admissions
- No
3. State contracting
- No
4. Other or expanded principles
- California's diversity is one of our greatest strengths. We must do all we can to outreach to all communities to ensure they understand employment, contracting, and educational opportunities available to them.
1. Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
- X
2. Support increased production of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, and oil).
- No Answer
3. Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused, or abandoned.
- X
4. Increase funding for improvements to California's power generating and transmission facilities.
- X
5. Support funding for open space preservation.
- X
6. Enact environmental regulations even if they are stricter than federal law.
- X
7. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer
1. Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
- X
2. Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
- No Answer
3. Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
- No Answer
4. Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
- No Answer
5. Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
- X
6. Require a license for gun possession.
- X
7. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer
1. Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state-funded care where necessary.
- X
2. Transfer current Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
- No Answer
3. Limit the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
- No Answer
4. Support patients' right to sue their HMOs.
- X
5. Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
- No Answer
6. Legalize physician assisted suicide in California.
- X
7. Allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
- X
8. Other or expanded principles
- I support a universal health care system, and am on record in support of State Senator Sheila Kuehl's proposal (SB 840)
1. Support increased work requirements for able-bodied welfare recipients.
- X
2. Increase funding for employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
- X
3. Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
- X
4. Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
- No Answer
5. Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to extend health and child care subsidies to the working poor.
- X
6. Support marriage promotion programs for welfare recipients.
- No Answer
7. Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
- No Answer
8. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer
On an attached page, disk, or via email, please explain in a total of 75 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- If elected, my priorities will be:A. Ensuring access to quality public education, including ensuring students have up-to-date textbooks and that all children can read at grade level by third grade.B. Ensuring access to quality health care.C. Access to quality jobs with fair wages and benefitsD. Protecting our streets and neighborhoods from crime and gang violence.E. Bulding and repairing California's infrastructure.
Fri 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT
