LEADERSHIP TO CONFRONT CALIFORNIA’S TOUGH ISSUES
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Type of Content: Article Improve Our Schools, Streamline Education, Promote Parental Involvement and Local Control As a parent, I want my children to have more opportunities than I did growing up. I think that most share this feeling. Education is the key to opportunity. Unfortunately our education system has not improved much since many of us were in school. Not only do today’s typical high school graduates lack basic academic competency, they are totally unprepared for work or life. So much of the money that is supposed to be spent on education is lost to overregulation and poor oversight. I will fight to streamline our education system so that more of our education dollars actually reach the students. I also believe that parents and teachers, not politicians in Sacramento, know what is best for their schools. That is why I will fight for local control, so that parents and teachers can have a bigger say in how education money is spent and what is taught in the classroom. We need to increase the accessibility and affordability of health care. As health care costs skyrocket, businesses have to choose between cutting their health plans or jobs. Families can’t afford health insurance on their own. The numbers of uninsured in California continue to grow, and caring for them is really straining the state’s already over-strapped budget. Governor Schwarzenegger has made reforming health care one of his primary policy goals, but the legislature has failed to produce any real reform. I have worked as a health care professional my entire career. I understand that genuine reform needs to both increase access to care and contain the exorbitant costs associated with providing it. Californians pay too much in state taxes. Families pay among the highest tax rates in the country. At the same time, businesses have to fight miles of red tape and pay thousands of dollars in taxes and fees before they can even put up the “open” sign. It’s a wonder our economy continues to function. As a small business owner and family man, I realize the burden high taxes pose on our economy and working families. In the State Assembly, I will oppose tax increases and work to ensure that the taxes we do pay are spent wisely. Ordinary citizens are forced to live within their means and so should our lawmakers. As an entrepreneur and elected official, I believe in the common sense principle of fiscal restraint. I will fight for a balanced budget in the State Assembly and if Legislators will not pass a budget on time, they shouldn’t get paid. We live in a wonderful place, and I do not blame others for wanting to come here. That is why I strongly support those who seek the American dream by entering our country legally. But right now, we have no control over who enters and exits our country. While many people come to the U.S. to work and create better lives for themselves, others come to take advantage of public benefits or even to harm us. As a State Assemblyman, I will fight to take back control of our borders. I would do everything possible to protect my child from harm, and I’m sure every parent feels the same way. That is why I was a strong advocate for Jessica’s Law, which was passed by the voters to increase penalties for sex offenders. As your State Assemblyman, I will demand tougher sentencing for violent offenders and anyone who commits crimes against children. If people refuse to control themselves, they need to be separated from society. I know that our prisons are overcrowded, but releasing prisoners before they have served their full sentences is not the solution. The message will quickly get out that crime does pay because you won’t be punished. Ultimately, our society needs to produce young men and women who work hard, play by the rules, and take care of themselves. But if we need to build more prisons to keep violent criminals off our streets, then that’s what we have to do. Criminals need to really believe that there will be a consequence to their actions or they won’t think twice about hurting others. More and more people want to live where we live—and with more people comes more traffic. Some people say the answer is mass transit, but try to tell a mother and father traveling with two young children to get on the bus. Improved roads and highways have to be part of the solution. I will fight to make sure that our district receives its fair share of bond money to build new roads, fill potholes and widen our freeways. Read »
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