League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Pat Burt Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Palo Alto

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What are the most important recommendations of the Infrastructure Blue Ribbon Commission Report: Catch-up, Keep-up and Moving Ahead? Why?

As a city council we have already implemented a $2 million per year infrastructure funding increase to accomplish "Keep-up". The Blue Ribbon Task force recommended that the funding for Keep-up should come from new revenues, instead we cut our operating budget to achieve this additional infrastructure funding. I believe that our next highest priority is "Catch-up". We have already doubled our annual street paving budget.

2. In balancing the budget, what are the critical decisions when deciding which services and which infrastructure projects should be funded?

Our top priority is to provide strong public safety and to be prepared for emergencies, followed by good basic services such as streets and sidewalks. Beyond that, Palo Alto provides an exceptional set of services to our community which are a large part of our community values and why people value living here. The city council will receive a "Cost of Services" report this year which will an important part of our community discussion around what services we can afford and at what level.

3. Bay Area regional planning agencies are planning for growth along transportation corridors and for infill development over the next 25 to 30 years.  What are the advantages and disadvantages for Palo Alto in participating in this planning process? 

Palo Alto is participating in this planning process and we should continue to do so for two reasons. First, to the extent that we grow, it's sound planning for that growth to be at locations with public transportation and with easy pedestrian access to services. Second, we need to participate in the process so that we have a meaningful voice about our future. Regional agencies have been granted increasing authority over cities' growth. We need to continue to influence those outcomes to assure that regional mandates are not excessive.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: November 5, 2012 11:59
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