Fullerton Observer Community News Candidate Questionnaire

By Richard Faher

Fullerton Observer Community News 72nd Assembly District Candidate Questionnaire

Name: Richard Faher

Biography: I have lived in the 72nd district for over 13 years. My wife, Diane Faher is a pediatrician at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). I have two daughters, Kathleen and Laurel who attend Placentia + Yorba Linda Unified public schools. I am a United States Air Force veteran.

Age: 51

Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University with a major in Management Information Systems and a minor in Accounting. Associate degree in Applied Science in Construction Supervision from the Community College of the Air Force.

Occupation: Businessman Private Sector - Over twenty-five years work experience as a software application consultant in the private sector.

City of residence: Placentia

Political experience: Participated in the California Republican Assemblies Candidate Forum of Orange County

Contact info: http://www.richardfaher.com

Please answer each of the following questions:

1. Under what circumstances would raise taxes?

A: Never. In the February 2009 budget agreement, The California Legislature passed a $12.8 billion dollar tax increase. They raised licensing fees, sales tax and income tax rates. The breakdown for these increases was a 1% increase for the state sales tax. A 1.15% increase for vehicle licensing fees and a 0.25% increase on personal income taxes. The highest rate becomes 9.55 %. We now have a 10.33 % millionaire tax. The alternative minimum tax will increase to 7.25 %. The California legislature did this during a recession. Under no circumstances would I raise taxes. I want to stop the state government practice of "Tax and Spend" and "Borrow and Spend". The state of California desperately needs fiscal responsibility restored. I believe that tax cuts for taxpayers and businesses in California will stimulate the California economy. I believe in reducing state government at all levels and to start immediately creating a business friendly environment to create private sector jobs. A 10 percent tax cut on personal income taxes, state sales taxes, and also corporate taxes is needed immediately. The state capital gains tax can be cut 50 percent.

2. Would you vote to eliminate the 2/3 voting requirement for budget and taxes?

A: I would never vote to eliminate the 2/3 voting requirement for budget and taxes. We should have a legislature in which the majority (Democrats) can work cohesively with the minority (Republicans) -- rather than simply ignoring them until it is time to vote on the state budget.

3. Would you vote to eliminate term limits?

A: No. California's term limits law was enacted in large part precisely because of the enormous advantages incumbents have over non-incumbents.

4. What can the state do about global warming?

A: The state of California can do nothing but waste money on global warming. Researchers belonging to the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, reported in Nature (May 1) that after adjusting their climate model to reflect actual sea surface temperatures of the last 50 years, "global surface temperature may not increase over the next decade, as natural climate variations ... temporarily offset the projected anthropogenic warming." IPCC researchers project no global warming over the next decade because of Mother Nature. These results may seem stunning in that it came from IPCC scientists who have always believed in manmade global warming. It is not really surprising since the notion of manmade climate change has never lived up to its hype. When NASA's James Hansen sounded the alarm in Congress 20 years ago, he predicted that rising concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide, or CO2, would drive global temperatures higher by 0.34 degrees Celsius during the 1990s. But surface temperatures increased during that decade by only 0.11 degrees Celsius and lower atmosphere temperatures actually decreased. Although there is no evidence that manmade CO2 emissions play any detectable role in climate change, the very idea that Mother Nature may cool the planet despite humanity's furious output of greenhouse gases should be even worse for the climate alarmist's theories.

5. What would you do to solve California's water crisis?

A: Our current water issues can be traced back to 1998 when a $1.7 billion water management bond failed in the state senate for inclusion on the November 1998 ballot. I support the call for flexible application of the Endangered Species Act during times of emergency. I support building the "Two Gates Project". I support also support using virtual barriers and better water monitoring along with increasing the surface and groundwater storage capabilities. I support construction of the Delta-Mendota canal/California Aqueduct Intertie. I also support many of the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force recommendations. Any new water deal should not create a new government bureaucracy.

6. What is the biggest problem facing the 72nd District?

A: The biggest problem facing the 72nd District is the state's current economic crisis. The California legislature also has to stop enacting laws that are "private sector job killers". In May 2001, the local unemployment rate was 2.6 percent. In September 2009, the local unemployment rate was 9.4 percent. I support changing the California Legislature from full time status to part time status as is done in many states. The longer the California Legislature remains in session the more damage they do to the California economy. Lack of fiscal responsibility and policies that drive jobs and businesses out of California must be stopped.