Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
Californians will decide on a proposition this November that would scale back some of Proposition 47, a 2014 voter-approved measure that reduced penalties for certain theft and drug offenses. What is one way the federal government could help states like California balance criminal justice reform with enforcing the law? (Please be specific with your proposal, and keep your answer to 200 words or less.)
The federal government can help states balance criminal justice reform with law enforcement by providing tailored funding and technical assistance while maintaining adequate resources for law enforcement. Key initiatives could include: (i) expanding alternatives to incarceration, such as drug treatment courts and mental health programs for low-level, non-violent offenders; (ii) increasing funding for reentry programs that support job placement, housing, and social services for formerly incarcerated individuals; (iii) offering technical assistance to develop policies that reduce sentences for non-violent offenders while maintaining appropriate consequences for repeat and violent crimes; (iv) investing in socioeconomic programs that address root causes of crime; (v) incentivizing states to reinvest savings from reduced incarceration into community programs like education, mental health care, and substance abuse treatment; and (vi) enhancing victim support services to ensure access to restitution, counseling, and other resources as reforms are implemented.
Recent efforts to expand the federal deduction for state and local taxes, called SALT, have failed. What changes would you like to see, if any, to SALT? (Please keep your answer to 200 words or less.)
Amending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 to immediately remove the SALT deduction cap of $10,000.
President Joe Biden has called for an overhaul of the U.S. Supreme Court, including mandatory ethics rules. What reforms, if any, do you believe the Supreme Court needs, and how would they be enforced? (Please be specific with your proposal, and keep your answer to 250 words or less.)
To uphold the integrity of the Supreme Court, it is imperative to implement formal, mandatory ethics rules and enhance transparency in its operations. This includes significantly improving public access to the Court's proceedings and decisions. Achieving these reforms will require decisive legislative action and robust oversight to ensure that the Court operates with the highest standards of accountability and public trust.
Should there be an age limit imposed on presidential candidates? What about Congress or Senate? If so, what is that limit?
I believe there should be no age limits imposed on presidential, congressional, or senatorial candidates. Instead, eligibility should be determined based on cognitive functionality. This approach ensures that all candidates are evaluated on their current ability to perform their duties effectively, rather than being restricted by an arbitrary age threshold. It's important to focus on the actual capabilities of individuals rather than their age alone.
Would you support legislation that protects women's access to in vitro fertilization and other fertility treatments nationwide? Why or why not? (Please be specific in your answer, and limit your response to 200 words.)
Yes, I would support legislation that protects women's access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility treatments nationwide. Access to these treatments is crucial for many individuals and couples who face challenges with infertility. Ensuring nationwide protection helps to guarantee that these essential services are available to those who need them, regardless of their location.
Moreover, it promotes equitable access to healthcare and supports the right of individuals to make informed choices about their reproductive health. Such legislation would help address disparities in access and provide consistency in the availability of these important medical services across the country.
The Republican Party's platform, following the summer convention, calls for the "largest deportation effort in American history." Is this something you support? If so, what would such an effort look like? If not, how would you assuage concerns about border security? (Please be specific in your response, and keep it to 250 words or less.)
No. Former President Barack Obama said it best:
We are a nation of immigrants, and we are a nation of laws. We must hold accountable those who broke the law, while understanding that the mass deportation of millions of Americans is neither possible nor in keeping with who we are as Americans. We should focus enforcement resources on actual threats to our security: ""Felons, not families. Criminals, not children. Gang members, not a mom who's working hard to provide for her kids.""
If you've been in America for more than five years; if you have children who are American citizens or legal residents; if you register, pass a criminal background check, and you're willing to pay your fair share of taxes, you should be able to apply to stay in this country temporarily, without fear of deportation. You can come out of the shadows and get right with the law.
This is not Amnesty. Amnesty is the immigration system we have now, in which millions of people live here without paying their taxes or playing by the rules, and politicians using this issue to scare and divide Americans. Mass amnesty would be unfair. Mass deportation would be both impossible and contrary to our character.
We need accountability - a common-sense, middle ground approach: If you meet the criteria, you can come out of the shadows and get right with the law. If you're a criminal, you'll be deported.
Cost of living is high on the list of concerns among voters, particularly among younger people. What is one bipartisan proposal you have to alleviate concerns about high prices or cost of living? (Please be specific in your response, and limit it to 200 words.)
The most pressing cost of living issues are food and gasoline prices, essential daily expenses. Volatility in energy markets and food supply chains has put pressure on consumers, affecting transportation, mobility, and the affordability of basic necessities.
To address rising gasoline costs, one solution is to increase domestic energy production, such as expanding natural gas and oil through safe methods like fracking. This could stabilize prices and aligns with the goal of energy independence. Incentivizing renewable energy, through tax credits for electric vehicles and solar, wind, and biofuel infrastructure, can also reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Policies encouraging fuel-efficient vehicles and streamlining permitting for oil refineries, while ensuring environmental protections, can further reduce gasoline costs.
To lower food costs, focus efforts on strengthening supply chains by reducing bottlenecks through infrastructure improvements like transportation networks and ports. Promoting local agriculture, such as urban farms and farmers' markets, can reduce transportation costs, and food waste reduction programs are widely supported. Connecting businesses with food banks helps minimize waste and lower prices. Additionally, increasing competition in grocery retail by supporting small, independent grocers can drive down costs.
Lastly, expanding tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit (CTC) helps families manage rising expenses. Another market-based solution is encouraging cooperative buying programs, where consumers pool resources to purchase goods in bulk at discounted rates, a bipartisan measure that can lower essential living costs.
Californians continue to point to housing affordability as one of their top concerns. What is something the federal government could do to lessen the financial burden people feel, whether that's with renting or buying a house? (Please be specific in your answer, and limit it to 200 words or less.)
To address housing affordability in California, the federal government could implement several key measures.
Expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) would incentivize the construction and rehab of affordable rental units, while increasing support for the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) would help maintain housing for extremely low-income households. Enhancing the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program and streamlining its application process could provide more low-income renters with affordable housing options.
For prospective homeowners, expanding federal down payment assistance programs could help first-time buyers overcome financial barriers, and funding homebuyer education programs could prepare them for ownership responsibilities. Additionally, incentivizing local governments to ease restrictions on multifamily and higher-density development could increase the supply of affordable homes. Investing in infrastructure and public transportation to link affordable housing with job centers and essential services would also lower living costs.
Lastly, enhancing property tax relief through credits for low- and moderate-income homeowners could ease their financial burden. Supporting innovative housing solutions and streamlining building permits would reduce construction costs and speed up development. These measures combined can significantly reduce the financial strain on Californians struggling with high housing costs.
What do you see the federal government's role as in helping local municipalities tackle homelessness? (Please be specific in your answer, and limit it to 200 words or less.)
The federal government plays a key role in supporting local efforts to address homelessness through several strategies.
It provides crucial funding and grants, including the Continuum of Care (CoC) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), to aid in homelessness prevention, emergency shelters, and permanent housing solutions. Competitive grants also enable municipalities to tackle specific challenges with tailored solutions.
Additionally, the federal government sets national policies and frameworks that guide local homelessness strategies, ensuring consistency and effectiveness. It fosters coordination between federal agencies, state governments, and local organizations to create a unified approach. Supporting data collection and research helps local governments understand trends and needs, allowing for evidence-based strategies.
The federal government also offers technical assistance and capacity building to help local agencies develop effective homelessness programs and provides training to enhance their capabilities. Addressing systemic issues like affordable housing and mental health services is crucial for tackling the root causes of homelessness. Finally, raising public awareness and promoting cross-sector partnerships helps leverage additional resources and expertise. These combined efforts can significantly enhance municipalities' ability to effectively address homelessness.
After Tesla chief executive Elon Musk shared an AI-generated video purporting to be Vice President Kamala Harris' voice, Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed to enact legislation to make it illegal to manipulate someone's voice in an ad. What is something the federal government could do to protect people from deep-fakes, or false AI-generated images, videos and audio? (Please be specific in your response, and keep your answer to 200 words or less.)
To protect people from deep-fakes and false AI-generated content, the federal government can implement several key measures.
First, enacting legislation to criminalize the creation and distribution of deep-fakes for deceptive purposes, without clear disclosure, would address misuse effectively. Additionally, updating privacy laws to give individuals control over their digital likeness and personal data is needed.
Supporting research and development to detect deep-fakes is crucial. This involves funding advancements in digital forensics and setting industry standards for verifying digital content authenticity. Collaborating with technology companies and social media platforms is necessary to develop and implement effective detection and removal tools. Streamlining reporting mechanisms for suspected deceptive content will also enhance response efforts.
Promoting public awareness campaigns is vital for educating people about deep-fakes, while integrating media literacy and digital authentication training into educational curriculums can help individuals critically evaluate digital content. Furthermore, providing resources and support for individuals seeking legal recourse, including legal aid for victims of deep-fake misuse, ensures accountability and justice.
Together, these measures will help the federal government effectively combat the harms of deep-fakes and safeguard individuals from digital deception.
What is one local infrastructure project you would push to secure funds for in the federal budget? (Please be specific in your answer.)
I would advocate for additional federal funding to expand and modernize the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) system. This initiative focuses on enhancing existing transit infrastructure by extending rail lines and improving bus services.
The expansion would aim to extend Metro Rail lines to underserved areas, boost connectivity between neighborhoods, and introduce new transit options to alleviate congestion and improve accessibility. Modernizing the system would involve updating facilities, advancing technology for greater service efficiency, and ensuring that infrastructure is both resilient and environmentally sustainable.
Securing additional federal funds would support local economic growth by creating jobs and improving transportation options for residents. It would help reduce traffic congestion and contribute to a cleaner environment through better public transit. Moreover, increased funding would accelerate progress, address emerging needs, and ensure the successful completion of planned expansions, ultimately enhancing regional connectivity and meeting growing demands.
What is one environment or climate policy you'd champion if elected? (Please be specific with your policy proposal, and keep your answer to 200 words or less.)
If elected, I would champion the protection and expansion of green spaces. This approach involves safeguarding existing natural habitats and investing in new green areas, which enhances environmental sustainability and improves community well-being.
Protecting current green spaces like forests and wetlands is crucial. Forests serve as significant carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 and mitigating climate change, while wetlands are vital for water purification, flood control, and habitat provision. Effective protection includes implementing sensible logging regulations, preventing land conversion, and restoring degraded wetlands. Additionally, safeguarding other critical habitats, such as grasslands and coastal zones, supports biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Expanding green spaces involves creating new urban parks, developing green infrastructure like green roofs and urban gardens, and establishing community gardens and urban farms. These initiatives enhance recreational opportunities, improve air quality, and foster community engagement. Restoring degraded lands to create new green spaces and developing greenways and trails also promotes outdoor activities and sustainable transportation. Furthermore, well-maintained parks can boost property values and support local economies, leading to more vibrant and resilient communities.