League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Orange County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Tom Daly Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 69

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

Questions & Answers

1. How would you prioritize the fiscal choices the Legislature must make to align the state’s income and spending?

In recent years, budget instability plagued the State of California. As described by Governor Brown in his recent State of the State address, there was a "lethal combination of national recessions, improvident tax cuts and too much spending" leading to a "financial sink hole that defied every effort to climb out."

The good news is that now, the state's budget is balanced, with a growing surplus. Landmark education reform means more funding for schools, especially in areas like Santa Ana, Anaheim, and Garden Grove. And the state is paying down our debts and building a genuine reserve.

The time is also now for a Rainy Day Fund. The Rainy Day Fund seeks to address one of the major sources of the state's budget problems: its volatile revenue. The state's revenue is largely driven by capital gains, which fluctuate wildly amid boom-and-bust cycles. The state can avoid unnecessary cuts and budget instability by capturing revenue in good economic years and putting it into a reserve. Ultimately, the voters must endorse the Rainy Day Fund on the November ballot.

2. Given our current drought condition, concern for water rights and usage is an important issue. What solutions would you support to address our water problems?

With California facing one of the most severe droughts on record, we must embrace a comprehensive strategy to ensure a reliable supply of clean water. There is no single solution to this challenge.

1. Implement the Bay Delta Conservation Plan: I support this plan to modernize and improve water delivery facilities in the Sacramento Delta, an important source of imported water for Orange County. These facilities will ensure a reliable delivery system of water through the Delta. Plus, these water facilities will be paid for by state water contractors, not directly by the taxpayers.

2. Invest in Alternative, Local Supplies of Water: Alternative, local supplies of water are critical to lessening our dependence on imported water from the Delta and the Colorado River. This becomes even more important during drought and emergency situations. Alternatives include local groundwater replenishment, surface storage, and desalination. As an example, Orange County is blessed with the ability to tap its groundwater basin. To maximize its benefit, the groundwater basin is replenished by up to 70 million gallons of highly treated wastewater a day. This is enough to meet the demands of nearly 600,000 residents in Orange County. The entire state can benefit if this successful model is followed in other California communities.

3. Promote Water Conservation: We must embrace technology and strategies to conserve water. Water conservation efforts include, but are not limited to, installation of water-efficient appliances, capturing storm water runoff, and planting drought-resistant, native plants. Water is a precious resource and we have a shared responsibility to use it wisely.

3. California high school students rank lower than many states in student performance. What do you see as the ongoing role of the Legislature in addressing this problem?

In 2013, the California State Legislature enacted landmark education funding reform, known as the Local Control Funding Formula. The budget increased funding for all local school districts with an emphasis on additional funding directed towards low-income and English language learning children. By directing more funds to these students, California will improve student performance.

It is also critical that the Legislature support STEM (Science, Technology , Engineering and Mathematics) curriculum. It's clear that to compete in an international economy, we need to prepare our students for future careers in these areas.

4. What other major issues do you think the Legislature must address? What are your own priorities?

The State of California must invest in transportation infrastructure. Last year alone, California's population grew by roughly 332,000 + the largest increase in nearly a decade. In Orange County, the population grew by over 30,000 people, representing almost 10% of California's population growth. A growing population brings vibrancy to our economy and state. However, it requires additional investment.

Last year, I led the successful passage of a bill that enables an innovative, cost-savings approach to the $1.3 billion widening of Interstate 405 in Orange County. The Orange County Transportation Authority says this new law will save Orange County taxpayers approximately $100 million and speed up the project completion date by two to three years. Already, other regional transportation agencies have embraced this new law, leading to massive savings for taxpayers across the state.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. 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: July 16, 2014 10:39
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