One of the most pressing issues that currently faces California is how we are going to manage and allocate our water resources. Considering the absolute necessity of water for human life and economic activity, we need to elect representatives who are going to work to find solutions that provide enough water for all Californians. What we do not need are short-sighted decisions like the "Twin Tunnels" currently being proposed which would create absolutely no new water, would despoil thousands of acres of prime farmland, and would only exacerbate existing water pressures and shortages in Northern California.

This is why I created a bi-partisan organization to bring together recognized experts; in coming up with innovative and intelligent solutions as to how to best manage California's water resources. We need experts to develop solutions to our water problems not politicians.  We need people like me in government who are passionate about advocating for those common sense solutions that will help all Californians have adequate access to water.  The WDIC alternative to the "Twin Tunnels" BDCP aligns the principles of small government, effective spending, and maintaining the health of the Delta.

Balancing the co-equal goals setforth in law must be achieved if we are to plan effectively for long term drough situations.  Any solution to manage our Delta water must include 5 key factors:

1.      Account for the natural variation in precipitation 
2.      Restore the natural flow of water through the Delta, both in pattern and quantity
   
3.      Protect Northern California water rights and water quality
   
4.      Address the legitimate needs of Southern California residents and San Joaquin Valley farmers
   
5.      Be self-regulating and not rely on complicated agreements which can only lead to litigation

I also firmly believe that water is a fundamental human right that must be protected.  The California Constitution Article X requires that " the water of the State be but to beneficial use to the fullest extent of which they are capable, and that the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use be prevented, and that the conservation of such waters is to be exercised with a view to the reasonable and beneficial use thereof in the interest of the people and for the public welfare"

CA Water Code Section 106 delcared that "it is the established policy of this State that the use of water for domestic water is the highest use and that the next highest use is irrigation."

CA Water Code Section 106.3 (a) further defines that "every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water adequate for human consumption, cooking, and sanitary purposes."

Given these established policies and laws, it will be my job as a legislator to uphold those laws, and to ensure that moving forward we designate appropriate water resources to satisfy the public need for water, and that the public never faces shortage situations, eliminate fines and prevent future cost increase for public use of water.

I grew up in a household that had to make every penny count.  We abhorred waste. I will take those same values of thrift and respect for the hard work that goes into every tax dollar to do everything I can to make sure our state government is a responsible steward of our public monies. It is time to return to a mindset in which our representatives continually strive to cut waste and operate as efficiently as possible. Being a public servant entrusted with the public purse comes with the grave responsibility of doing everything one can to make sure public money is well spent. I will be proud to work diligently to curb extravagant spending and restore fiscal responsibility back to our state government.  My top 3 fiscal priorities will be:

1.  Addressing waste, fraud, and abuse of public monies by Caltrans
2.  Addressing unreasonable Administrator salaries in public agencies
3.  Reforming the RFP/RFQ processes to prevent sweetheart deals, cost overruns, and failed deliveries

I believe that no person working full time should live in poverty.  I believe that every worker deserves to live with dignity and not depend on public assistance to provide for their survival needs.  This issue has been addressed by the State legislature with the recent passage of the increase to the State minimum wage over the next 7 years.  According to the Department of labor, the arguments against raising the minimum wage are not based in fact.  In a letter to President Obama and congressional leaders urging a minimum wage increase, more than 600 economists, including 7 Nobel Prize winners wrote, "In recent years there have been important developments in the academic literature on the effect of increases in the minimum wage on employment, with the weight of evidence now showing that increases in the minimum wage have had little or no negative effect on the employment of minimum-wage workers, even during times of weakness in the labor market. Research suggests that a minimum-wage increase could have a small stimulative effect on the economy as low-wage workers spend their additional earnings, raising demand and job growth, and providing some help on the jobs front."

Another common argument is that raising the minimum wage will drastically increase the cost of goods in California.  I would assert that prices for goods have continue to rise even though the minimum wage has not changed.  When we look at other countries that have substantially higher minimum wages for fast food workers like Denmark for example, where workers at McDonalds receive over $20 per hour, paid vacation time, and paid sick leave- the cost of value meal is only slightly higher than that of the USA where workers are paid less than half.  Personally, I would rather pay slightly higher prices for goods if it means that the nearly 20 percent of people who are living in poverty in California can get off of public assistance programs and be able feed their family.

It is no secret that we have a broken campaign finance system in America.  In a recent PPIC poll, a study found that 84% of Californians want more transparency into who is attempting to influence policy and buy elections in California.  In the post Citizens United era contributions to political campaigns have skyrocketed making raising money the core focus of how a legislator spends their time.  The costs to run an effective campaign now have become prohibitive for qualified candidates to run for office.  That is contrary to our founding fathers intentions who envisioned a government that is of the People, by the People, and for the People.

Unfortunately, our efforts to provide more disclosure have had unintended consequences.  Requiring campaign finance disclosure now presents yet another barrier to entry for candidates seeking to do their civic duty and hold elected office.  While I remain committed to improving transparency, I recognize that disclosing contributions is not enough.  We must take steps to address the root of the problem.  That is why I support reversing the disastrous Citizens United ruling and other court decisions that have declared that corporations are people, and that spending money in elections is free speech.  In order to address the root problem, which is the costs to run an election and the undue burdens raising money creates, I am in support of moving to public financing of elections.  A recent study showed that if every tax payer in California paid a meager $8 each per year, there would be adequate funding to support public financing of elections.

another possible solution is to reduce the size of our Assembly and Senate Districts.  CA has some of the largest Districts in the nation.  Our Senate Districts are larger than our Congressional Districts.  Not only does it create an issue where huge amounts of money are needed to run a campaign, but it diminishes the ability of the representative to effectively represent their constituents.  What is good for the people in one part of the District, might be completely different than the needs of another.  We must look for ways to reduce District sizes to make them more manageable and provide better representation for the individual needs of the areas they represent.

Until such time that we can reverse Citizens United, or we move to public financing of elections, we must continue to provide more transparency into campaign spending.  That means that we must pass legislation like AB700, SB1349, and SB254.  Governor Brown should have signed AB1200 which despite overwhelming support by our legislature to provide more transparency into the procurement process and state spending, was vetoed.  Californians have no way to know who is lobbying for billions of dollars in government contracts because they don't have to register as lobbyists.  What we have is a situation where the foxes are guarding the hen house.  This is one of the most important issues of our time, and how we respond will determine the future of our state and country.