Unless we commit ourselves to reforms that allow more housing to be built, housing will continue to get more expensive. Everyone knows that CEQA has to be amended to ensure housing projects aren’t stopped by frivolous lawsuits and costly, redundant environmental reviews. However, we also must ensure those who are currently renting also see relief. It is with that goal that I have co-authored SB 843 from Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) to increase the renters tax credit to $500 for single-filers and $1,000 for joint-filers.

Our environmental challenges are real but more extreme policies like banning gas-powered lawnmowers and leaf blowers will only end up hurting everyday Californians and small businesses. I support more market-driven solutions like tax credits and incentives for people and businesses to use renewable energy. I also believe in preparing the next generation to help combat climate change which is why I am co-authoring SB 1036 from Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), which would require the California Conservation Corps to establish the California Ocean Corps to provide opportunities for people ages 16 to 30 to contribute to ocean conservation work via casual volunteer opportunities to long-term, paid skill development programs.

California’s children all deserve access to a high-quality education regardless of income level. That’s why I support making sure our public schools have all the resources they need, while also supporting parents’ ability to choose where they send their child to school. I authored AB 1786 which would allow low-performing students the right to transfer out of their low-performing school (as classified via state standards) to another district or school in their current district. Additionally, we need to make sure the many K-12 students who stopped attending school are back in the classroom.

 All residents of California should have access to clean water. We need to increase our water storage by constructing new reservoirs, repairing canals, and increasing our water recycling infrastructure. Asking residents and businesses to reduce water is great but it’s not going to get us where we need to be as the state continues to grow. Voters passed bonds to build more water storage years ago: nothing has happened. We need to build them now.

We must reduce emissions to 80% of 1990 levels by 2030 in order to achieve climate stabilization. The most effective method is replacing gas powered vehicles with electric vehicles.

Universal pre-kindergarten is the single best way to lessen the education gap for lower-income children.

We must immediately diversify our water sources to proactively prepare for the impending shortage. This requires an all-of-the-above approach. I will propose legislation that gives us water resilience.