Common Sense Solutions For California

Common Sense Solutions... Illegal Immigration Taxes The Economy Education Public Safety Worker's Compensation Health Care Energy Transportation Water Natural Resources

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On the Issues

Common Sense Solutions:

My experience has taught me that a "common sense" approach must prevail when making decisions and working with people. Other lessons I have learned as a result of owning and operating a business for over 30 years are - learning to respect others, encouraging hard work, and rewarding achievement.

My service as an elected official along with my years of involvement in numerous community service and civic organizations have given me a deep understanding of the issues and concerns we all face. Seeing and hearing others as they deal with these issues has strengthened my resolve to continue to work hard to insure that no one is left behind in their pursuit of a renewed California Dream.

I am a strong advocate for "local" control and accountability. Local representatives and officials are in the best position to understand and respond to the needs of their communities. The role of our State government should be that the individuals and families of California receive fair and balanced representation. It is my privilege to work as your representative, here in the 31st Senate District, to make sure your voice is heard in Sacramento.

Illegal Immigration:

California faces an enormous fiscal burden because of increased illegal immigration. These costs are a direct result of the failure of the Federal Government to adequately prevent the flow of illegal immigrants into California.

Many people come to this state in search of democracy, freedom, and a better way of life. I support legal immigration but I am adamantly opposed to illegal immigration. It is totally unfair and a slap in the face to those who have entered our state and country legally. I voted against legislation giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants and opposed a bill providing free college tuition to illegal immigrants.

We need to hold people accountable if we are to make any progress on this issue - from the "Coyotes" who encourage illegal immigration to the people who knowingly hire them. I am an advocate for strict enforcement of the laws and penalties associated with these criminal activities. I will continue to insist that the Federal Government toughen our border security, enforce our immigration laws and that they also fully reimburse our state for the costs associated with providing government services.

Taxes:

California has one of the highest tax burdens in the country. I am and will continue to be an advocate for a fair tax policy that contributes to a sound economy and jobs climate. It should be hard, not easy, to raise taxes. Our policy of requiring a 2/3 vote in the Legislature to raise taxes is a sound idea and should be maintained.

To foster continued economic recovery and growth, we need to draw the line on more and higher taxes. My goal is to help everyone keep more of the money they earn.

I am working to simplify the tax code in California, and also to see that our tax dollars are spent on the purposes for which they were intended, and spent in the best way possible - prioritizing critical areas such as public safety, education, and our roads. I have supported and will continue to support policies that maintain local funding and will work to keep more tax dollars in the communities where they are generated. Local public safety resources must not be jeopardized.

The Economy:

California represents the 5th largest economy in the world. Small businesses are the cornerstone of our economy, and we are home to some of the nation's most entrepreneurial companies. The spirit that has been the backbone of our economic growth and success has to be revitalized. We can do this by providing small businesses and entrepreneurs with the right tools and incentives.

Today in California, small businesses face too many obstacles, including rising costs and over-regulation. I have supported and will continue to support policies and programs that protect the rights of small businesses and prevent over-regulation. We need to focus on: attracting businesses that provide good paying quality jobs; offering incentives for expanding and start up businesses; and, providing continuing educational programs so that our work force continues to meet the demands of our business community.

Economic recovery and solving the State's multi billion dollar budget deficits are closely tied. By taking positive, common sense actions to stimulate our economy, we can get back on the path to strong growth and create a dynamic revenue source to meet our State's budget needs.

Education:

The same issues that affect our businesses affect the classrooms where our children are taught. Teachers are in the "business" of teaching, and our educational system is part of the infrastructure necessary to growing a prosperous economy and meeting the needs of the business community.

Education is the key to opening the door of opportunity. California has been home to the finest educational programs in the country and we need to restore that reputation. Our educational system must have accountability and the highest of standards so that our children will learn the skills they need.

School districts should ensure that more of our educational dollars get to the kids and the classrooms. Each community is unique, and the teachers and parents understand best how to meet the needs of their children. It is a known fact that when parents are actively engaged in the education of their children the result is higher achievement by the student. We should be promoting programs and policies that encourage parental involvement.

Safety in our schools is, of course, a major concern for all of us. Parents need to know that their children are in a safe environment and our teachers should be free to pursue the education of our children, not worry about violence in the classroom. We need to maintain strict policies and strengthen proactive programs to ensure safe schools.

California is also faced with aging facilities and a continuing growth rate. We must make sure that a dependable source of funds is available for the modernization and new construction of the necessary facilities to provide the best learning environments possible. I have sponsored legislation to expand funding opportunities for school facilities, and will continue to support such programs.

Improving education in California is a vital factor in improving our economy and creating an educated work force. An investment in education is an investment in our future.

Public Safety:

As an elected official, my first priority has always been public safety. I am proud to have been appointed to serve on the Governor's Blue Ribbon Fire Commission, and am honored to have been named "Outstanding Legislator of the Year" by the California State Sheriff's Association. I will continue to be a strong advocate for supporting our firefighters and law enforcement officers.

A safe community is a prosperous community. We have enacted strong anti-crime measures over the past few years and the State was beginning to see lower crime rates as a result. That trend seems to be changing and we need to provide local law enforcement the tools and resources they need to make their communities safe.

I will continue to work to preserve and strengthen enforcement of the laws that are tough on criminals and protect the rights of victims. Let's invest in programs that educate and encourage the youth of our communities, foster neighborhood awareness, and strive to prevent crime before it starts. Local law enforcement needs to be visible and proactive in building trust and respect.

Protecting our communities from terrorist threats is critical. Our local communities must work with state and federal government to provide the necessary medical resources as well as additional law enforcement and fire fighting personnel. We must dedicate significant support to this effort so we have fully operational preventive and emergency response services.

The recent extraordinary wildland fires have shown the courage and effectiveness of our firefighters, where they protected lives and property from not only fires, but from floods as well. They were our first line of defense and were instrumental in establishing emergency preparedness for our local communities. Our local firefighters are also experiencing a change in their role as community servants. They are more involved in responding to calls requiring medical assistance, and truly are in the business of saving lives. I have worked hard and will continue to work hard to make sure they have the equipment, resources, training, and staffing to sufficiently serve and protect our communities.

Workers Compensation Reform:

Like a thief in the night, the broken Workers' Compensation system takes from Californians each and every day. It's a system littered with fraud, waste and abuse. It's a system that provides some of the worst employee benefits in the country, while charging employers the highest premiums. And it's a system that forces not only jobs and businesses out of California, but also devastates schools throughout the Golden State.

Legislation has been passed in an attempt to address the problems in the broken workers' compensation system here in California. This is an important first step, that is already under attack by trial lawyers.

I have introduced legislation to reform the worker's comp system and will continue to work to enact real reform in order to control medical costs, adjust the handling of permanent disability benefits and vocational rehabilitation, stop fraud and minimize litigation.

Health Care:

Health care costs in California continue to rise, creating a looming crisis. The public and private sectors need to work together to shape the future of the health care system for the benefit of business, employees, and families. A mandatory, tax funded, government operated health insurance program is not a valid solution, and I will oppose such a program.

Health care needs to be affordable, accessible, and available. Everyone in California deserves the best. Quality medical care should be administered by qualified doctors directly to their patients and should not be a confusing network of paperwork.

We are also faced with a simple fact - California has a critical shortage of qualified health care professionals. I am supporting programs to train and equip medical personnel, and to develop incentives to keep them in California. Programs that help prevent health problems will ease future expenses resulting from costly trauma.

Energy:

California has some of the highest energy costs in the nation. Work must be done to encourage more production, provide stability and reliability, and establish a workable plan that will carry into the future. Programs that offer incentives to private sector investment could help with bringing more power resources on line in a timelier manner. A strong economic growth cannot be maintained with uncertainty about reliable and affordable energy.

Our businesses, as well as our families need to be assured that their energy source is stable and priced fairly for consumers at all levels.

Transportation:

Traffic congestion in the Inland Empire is a serious problem, affecting our quality of life as well as impacting the growth of jobs and businesses. The completion of the current 210 Freeway between LA County and Fontana was an important step, but we have been waiting a long time for the completion of many other critical road construction projects, and traffic is getting worse. Additional road construction is mandatory in order to serve the continued growth of our area, promote good paying jobs, and to provide a better quality of life.

I have worked to protect our transportation dollars so that they are spent on projects for which they were intended. I will continue to advocate that transportation dollars not be used to fill budget shortfalls, and that these dollars are distributed in a timely manner to fund the necessary projects to relieve our traffic congestion.

Water:

Water is a vital element for the State's economy - whether in manufacturing, agriculture, or providing water to new homes. Unfortunately, our existing water system, which contributed significantly to the economic success of California, is becoming inadequate.

Our challenge is to insure an adequate supply of clean water. Maximum conservation efforts along with increased storage, better conveyance methods, incentives for reuse, increased recycling, and investment in innovative technologies need to become top priorities for all agencies involved with our water resources. Responsible development will go a long way toward recharging/replenishing our water supply.

I have worked closely with local water districts to insure that resources are available for their local communities, and will continue to support programs that will establish a long term, comprehensive water plan to provide consistency and stability for California's future.

Our Natural Resources:

California is one of the nation's most diverse and scenic states, and we need to preserve that beauty for future generations. In doing that, we need to maintain a common sense perspective in our policies and insure that local communities have a strong voice in those policies. Sound planning and responsible development will recognize that the future of California is dependent upon our natural resources, and that a strong economy can co-exist with clean air, clean water, and open space.

It is important to insure that adequate state and federal financial resources are provided to properly manage and maintain our forests. Well-maintained and managed forests will reduce the danger of wildland fires.