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
- I fully support public funding (federal, state and local) of comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion, for all individuals who rely on the government for their health care services.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

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
- I absolutely oppose any and all reforms that would reduce the pensions that public service members have been promised. I believe that any reforms to the retirement system should come as a result of a collective bargaining agreement, and I am ardently opposed to efforts to impose a two-tiered retirement system that would undermine collective bargaining.

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?
- No

5. Do you support repealing California's nonpartisan blanket primary election system?
- No Answer

6. Other or expanded principles
- Our country is threatened by the influence of dark money, and I will fight to ensure that every American has a voice in our political system. California?s Campaign Disclosure Act is a major for stepping stone for campaign finance transparency and I would like to see similar policy being implemented on the federal level.

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

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?
- No Answer

5. Other or expanded principles
- I?m committed to keeping our community safe. I will work with law enforcement and local firefighters to provide them with the resources they need to improve emergency response times, and will fight for our area?s fair share of funding needed to crack down on drugs, gangs, and violent crime.

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No Answer

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- No

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No Answer

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of California?
- Yes

7. Do you support expanding state public housing programs?
- Yes

8. Other or expanded principles
- I believe in creating an economy that works for everyone, with more good-paying middle-class jobs. I will support programs that give small businesses resources to grow and help educate owners on regulations. Also, I value vocational training and career programs within our high schools and higher education institutions to help young people develop marketable skills. Finally, I believe all stakeholders in our economy and communities must be active participants in order to find the root cause of economic challenges we face and to collaborate in the pursuit of creative solutions and innovation.

Education

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

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- No Answer

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 Answer

4. Other or expanded principles
- The issue of immigration is incredibly personal to me as I myself am an immigrant. Born and raised in Peru, America is not my birthplace, but I believe it is just as much my country as it is anyone else's. When I see our President demonize and harass immigrants, I can?t help but feel sick. I believe wholeheartedly that immigrants make America great, and whether documented or undocumented I would fight everyday in the Senate to ensure that all Californians have access to public education, so that everyone can grow and prosper in the state we all share.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

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?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- As your State Senator, I will combat climate change and protect our air and water by stopping offshore oil drilling, removing nuclear waste stored at San Onofre and investing more in clean, renewable energy like wind and solar energy power to create jobs and protect our environment.

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

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 am absolutely committed to ensuring responsible gun ownership by supporting common-sense gun safety laws.

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

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

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- No Answer

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- No Answer

6. Other or expanded principles
- Healthcare is a human right, not a privilege that should only be afforded to the wealthy. I strongly support the Affordable Care Act and the work that it did to provide affordable healthcare to the most vulnerable in our state. However, the ACA is just a start. No one should have to decide between feeding their family or going to the doctor. In a state as rich as California, it is horrifying that people still need to make decisions like this.

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?
- Yes

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

5. Other or expanded principles
- As your senator I hope to eliminate discrimination in all forms by advancing equality in every aspect of our society, including equal pay for equal work, protections for women in the workplace and against domestic violence, instituting paid family leave and affordable childcare for working parents, as well as ensuring equality in the housing market for all.

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.
- My priorities will include working for: 1) affordable & accessible healthcare; 2) tuition-free college or vocational education; 3) the creation of jobs that pay middle class wages; and 4) a commitment to scientific innovation to promote economic prosperity. I am not a career politician. I believe that I will bring a much-needed fresh perspective to the California State Senate and give our district a champion for working families, women, and marginalized communities.