California State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- The government should not be deciding what is best for a woman's body, regardless of philosophical, spiritual or religious beliefs. Each individual should have the opportunity to decide what is best for them. Religious doctrine should NOT supercede one's right to make his or her personal decisions.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- Yes

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- If salary, benefits and pensions have been promised, they shouldn't necessarily be taken away. Any FUTURE increases in salary, pension, benefits, etc. should be curbed until the State of CA is in a better financial position. Govt is getting too big. No one wants to have their pay cut, but the current system is NOT sustainable. We have to be honest with ourselves and the future of the State and the voters. It's easy to raise taxes, but cutting costs is the way to go. We do it at home when times get tough, so should govt.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- Yes

5. Do you support repealing California's nonpartisan blanket primary election system?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- Top two laws, which originally sounded great, has been an absolute disaster. Every party agrees & it should be - and will be - overturned. It stifles competition. We need to get big money out of politics - PERIOD. Politicians are "public servants". They should answer to voters, not the fat cats pouring money into their campaigns for re-election. We also need more TERM LIMITS, so politicians at all levels of govt are less inclined to embrace fraud, waste & abuse while in office. Voters are sick of what's going on. Look at the abysmal approval ratings of partisan politicians.

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- Yes

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No Answer

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- We have laws for a reason. If there are no repercussions, then why have them. However, I do believe we need FEWER laws, NOT more. We have squeezed "liberty" from our vocabulary & our daily lives. We need to be tough on criminals, but have alternate ways for them to rehabilitate not just throw the book at them & let them rot in a jail cell. That hasn't worked well --at all! We need more education, community support & involvement. I am FOR legalizing marijuana. The "war" on drugs was a colossal waste of money.

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- Yes

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- No

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- Yes

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of California?
- No

7. Do you support expanding state public housing programs?
- No

8. Other or expanded principles
- We can't keep relying on the govt. I think we've realized that by now. No more false promises every 2 to 4 years from career politicians pretending to care, with zero accountability. We need to help those of us in need with private and non-profit support. Increasing the minimum wage, increases the costs of doing business, which is then passed on to the end consumer....so we ALL end up paying more. Over taxation has caused more and more problems for working families. Give them a break, especially for young people trying to pay off loans and seniors on fixed income!

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in California?
- No

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- Yes

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from California high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- One-size-fits-all solutions DON'T work, especially in a socio-economic state like CA! If we are going to spend money, let's invest in education. Unlike most EXPENSES, this is an INVESTMENT in the future leaders and economy of this state! ANYONE who "cuts the line" and doesn't play by the rules should NOT be granted special treatment. We have to STOP rewarding (and encouraging) bad behavior. It sets a bad example for the kids and others considering to enter this country illegally. Not cool for those who did things the right way & played by the rules to see others benefit.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- No

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Do you support permanent statewide water usage restrictions?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- I'm a HUGE fan of the environment, national & state parks, clean air & water, andrenewable / alternative energy sources, but the Govt should NOT be picking "winners and losers". We tried this at the federal level & taxpayers got crushed. Since the air we breath affects all of us, greenhouse gas emissions should be regulated. I'm for clean water initiatives, but they need to be vetted & realistic, NOT another fraudulent govt slush fund. We shouldn't PERMANENTLY restrict water usage. Agriculture uses most of it, so they need to grow crops to support the people of CA.

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- No

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I support the 2nd Amendment, but I don't think arming teachers is the right answer. Why would we want MORE guns around our kids? Not a good idea! We get a drivers license for safety, those with guns should get a license to have one as well. I would even be FOR a mandatory safety course prior to issuing the license, in addition to background checks. This is common sense legislation that we all can get behind. There needs to be more accountability. We also need to separate gun issues with mental health issues. (sometimes these cross, as we know).

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- No

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through California's health care programs?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- No

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- Yes

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- Opioid addiction is out of control, but the govt shouldn't be required to pay to control / fix it.....the pharmaceutical companies who got everyone hooked, should be the ones paying! Medicaid is working for our seniors & although I am not intimately knowledgeable of its inner-workings, I believe we should continue supporting it. No one should HAVE to purchase something they 1) don't want 2) can't afford. If a person wishes to end their life, that should be their right. Vaccines seem effective, but we need to do WAY more research with the multiple-vaccination "cocktails" we give our kids.

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in California's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in California's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by California state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- No

4. Do you support California's "Sanctuary State" immigration policies?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- The state can help protect its citizens from discrimination, but it should NOT be in the business of determining and/or mandating wages or benefits. Citizens will stop supporting businesses and people who discriminate, especially with social media and word of mouth. The State of CA should NOT be supporting, harboring, or exempting criminals wanted by federal or intl govt/agencies. We can't ask for Federal money and NOT follow their rules. We're setting BAD examples by NOT following our own rules. People who follow the rules should be able to come here, those who cheat shouldn't also benefit. That's not fair!

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 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.
- HOMELESSNESS: we need to look at state, county and city properties that are abandoned, neglected, and/or that can be sold or rehabbed, vs. dropping "temp" housing into neighborhoods who didn't ask for these homeless shelters. Govt should be working much more closely with non-profit groups.HOUSING AFFORDABILITY: increase supply of housing by lowering regulations, permit fees, and allow for higher density esp. around metro & bus stops. CUT SPENDING: we need to curb govt expenses and put more $ in the hands of the people of CAPUNISH WASTE, FRAUD & ABUSE: esp. from politicians, lobbyists & big donors