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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Budget Crisis,
Education,
Water,
Health Insurance
Click on a name for other candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What does California need to do to address the current budget crisis?
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Answer from Peter D. "Pedro" De Baets:
Reduce spending.
Answer from Dale V. Everett:
Our citizens voted overwhelmingly for change in the recall election. The people voiced their support for our new governor and the legislature needs to support our new governor's plans. Before we make painful cuts, we can reduce cost by removing redundant regulatory agencies and administrative offices. Then we need to address the anti-business environment that's stifling or driving away business and revenue, and killing jobs.
Answer from Karen Bass:
Create alternative revenue sources, by taking steps such as closing corporate tax loopholes and reinstating the upper income tax bracket, to maintain vital services such as police and firefighters, education and infrastructure.
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2. What should the state's priorities be for K-12 education? For the Community College System?
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Answer from Karen Bass:
Reducing the achievement gap between students from different districts to make sure that ALL students who graduate from our public high schools are qualified for college. We also must work to make education at the Community Colleges and State Colleges available for all Californians who wish to further their education.
Answer from Peter D. "Pedro" De Baets:
Implement Arizona-style Scholarship funds supported by Tuition Tax Credits to help parents get kids out of some failing public schools. Classroom funding reform: Larger portion of classroom funding should come from per-student funding as opposed to categorical funding. Reduce/eliminate education bureaucracy. Reduce/eliminate mandated testing requirements. Remove obstacles to private schooling and homeschooling.
Answer from Dale V. Everett:
The legislature should focus on getting more of the tremendous amount of money we spend on education into the classroom. Our school districts should be given money that is earmarked for categorical spending and given the authority to address their specific needs. We spend a lot of money but not much reaches the students.
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3. What measures would you support to address California's water needs?
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Answer from Dale V. Everett:
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Answer from Karen Bass:
Clean, healthy water is a neccessity, that is why I support the Clean Water Act and will provide the resources needed to provide whatever infrastructure is required to get that water to Californians
Answer from Peter D. "Pedro" De Baets:
Make health insurance more affodable by eliminating as much government interference in the health insurance market as possible, thereby re-invigorating the health insurance market with lively competition. Reduce/eliminate mandated coverage regulations, Reduce funding and resposibility of the State insurance department.
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4. What should the Legislature be doing to address the needs of Californians without health insurance?
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Answer from Karen Bass:
As a former healthcare professional, I support Universal Healthcare. Until that is a reality, I will support legislation such as SB2, or any other legislation that improves access to healthcare for Californians.
Answer from Dale V. Everett:
We need to reform programs that drive healthcare prices up. Our money can go further to help people if we make it less vulnerable to fraud and waste.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
