2002 California State Assembly Elections
Please answer questions 1, 17, and 19 and any other 7 of the following 19 questions:
With President Bush's energy policy's clearly geared to domestic oil production, we must remain vigilant in the fight to protect our coast.
Degradation of our forests has intensified the stresses we've placed on our watersheds. These are the lifelines of our ecosystems and water supplies and must be protected.
3. Energy &emdash; The recent energy crisis has really brought this issue to the fore. I believe strongly that our emphasis needs to be put toward renewable energy sources, specifically solar, if we are going to find our way out of this crisis. Solar energy, and other renewable sources are the best way to provide a clean, reliable energy supply.
I oppose the transfer. It only adds the potential for another energy producer to game the system and increase energy costs. Such a move would remove environmental oversight, and offers the consumer or taxpayer nothing. I would support state acquisition.
I am very concerned about the suspension of air quality rules to allow "dirty" plants and generators to operate. I do not support nuclear power plants or the construction of one in my district. As I indicated above, I believe in vastly increasing our state’s reliance on renewable energy sources. I would strongly support requiring all electricity sellers in California to acquire at least 20% of their supply from renewable sources &emdash; with an appropriate phase-in period.
6. California’s need for open space in the future is great, including habitat, parks and wilderness areas for recreational and wildlife needs, and productive agricultural lands. How should future land acquisitions be funded?
The state of New Jersey has spent over $1 billion on open space protection and acquisition California spends $20 million annually. We can and must do better. I would support bond initiatives aimed solely at open space, propose increasing general fund expenditures on open space and offer greater tax incentives for the donation of prime properties.
8. The Sierra Club supports strict regulation of logging in areas that adversely affect streams used by the coho salmon and steelhead, both listed as endangered or threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. How would you respond to proposed laws to limit or prohibit logging in riparian areas to avoid adverse impacts to salmon and their habitat?
9. California Department of Fish and Game has never had an adequate funding base for the work that it is charged with doing under the California Endangered Species Act. As a result, CDFG lacks adequate personnel and resources to carry out its species protection mandates. How would you prioritize state spending on endangered species protection? What revenue source would you rely on to fully fund the endangered species program at CDFG.
10. What is your position on the California Coastal Commission’s role in protecting our state’s coastal resources?
The Coastal Commission is one of the most successful examples of state government at work. I would oppose all efforts to weaken the commission or narrow its scope or mission. To the contrary, I believe the Coastal Commission should have more resources to permanently protect threatened habitat, which is why I am supporting passage of Proposition 40. Protection against run-away development and offshore oil drilling have been the greatest achievements of the commission. The primary mission, to regulate and carry out California's coastal management program consistent with the federal Coastal Zone Management Act, has been vitally important in the debate over outer-continental shelf oil and gas exploration. However, California population pressures will remain the single biggest challenge to coastal protection. Vigilant commissioners, an informed electorate and clearly defined objectives will ultimately result in the greatest coastal protection.
12. Water pollution makes our beaches unsafe for swimming, makes fish unsafe to eat, and ruins habitat in California rivers, streams, bays, and ocean coast. More than 500 California water bodies have been designated as "impaired". A good deal of this pollution could be prevented if state and federal water quality laws were vigorously implemented. What recommendations do you have for improving compliance with state and federal water quality permit programs for pollution dischargers?
13. Many persistent, bio-accumulative toxins &emdash; chemicals that can build up in the food chain, can be transported long distances in the atmosphere, and do not break down easily -- are associated with a range of adverse human health effects, including effects on the nervous system, reproductive and developmental problems, cancer, and genetic impacts. Particular hazards may be posed to the developing fetus or young children because critical organs, such as the central nervous system, are still under development. Would you support adoption of a state strategy for eliminating all releases of persistent, bio-accumulative toxins into California’s environment? Would you support expansion of the pesticide mill tax concept to increase fees proportional to the volume and potential harm of bio-accumulative toxins?
14. There are proposals to increase dramatically the ability of state and local governments to spend money on transportation either through bonds or through voter-approved increases in sales taxes. How would you prioritize state transportation funding? Do you support linking increases in funding to any or all of the following?
a. regional plans that incorporate such factors as a jobs/housing balance, affordable housing quotas by jurisdiction (fair share allocations); a preference for development of vacant urban land, and a preference for infill housing on existing transit lines;
- preservation of agricultural lands outside of existing urbanized areas, and preservation of natural lands of environmental significance.
I believe we need a comprehensive approach to state transportation planning. The North Coast is desperate for continued and expanded rail service, relief for Hwy 101 congestion and increased bike, bus and jitney service. There is not a one size-fits-all approach for the state, but on the whole we need to emphasize better planning and a comprehensive approach.
I would support linking such things as jobs, housing, development of vacant urban land, and infill housing on existing transit lines to transportation dollars if applicable. The North Coast needs to grow in a well-planned fashion, but is significantly different in its transportation needs than more urban areas.
I Support preservation of agricultural lands and natural lands of environmental significance, without caveat.
Sprawl is one of California’s most important challenges because it interconnects a bevy of societal ills: transportation; lack of parks/open space; long commutes; loss of agriculture.
a. Preparation of a State Comprehensive Plan that sets forth "smart growth" guidelines that local general plan policies must be made consistent with; High
b. A new state law that requires each local general plan to contain an "Urban Growth Boundary" - a boundary around each city and county and includes enough land for twenty years of growth, with urban growth prohibited beyond the line (unless it is amended by the voters); High
c. A general increase in state funding for other "smart growth" policies and projects to be implemented at the local level; High
d. Funding for a state partnership program to assist local jurisdictions in developing housing projects on infill development sites near transit and job centers; and/or High
e. Increased state funding to help local jurisdictions purchase land or easements to permanently protect open space at the urban fringe. High
I consider myself a conservationist, always being respectful of our natural resources and have tried to do business with companies and stores that do the same. In 1999, I ran the very successful "No on Measure J" campaign, which kept Wal Mart from building on our coast in Eureka. I was interested in protecting the coast as well as keeping a "big box" with a reputation for bringing low wage jobs that provide little or no benefits to their workers. We won that election with 60% of the vote (the highest ever recorded against a big box). I am a member of the California State Democratic Party’s environmental Caucus. I am also proud to have the endorsement of "Vote The Coast" as well as Mendocino Supervisor David Colfax, Sonoma County Supervisor Mike Reilly, Humboldt County Supervisor John Woolley, Larry Glass of the North Coast Environmental Center and other well-respected environmentalists.
I believe that money has become a serious influence on the political process. I was pleased to support the recent reforms of Proposition 34, which stopped "fat cats" from buying influence through the parties and provided for voluntary spending limits. However, this is only a small step towards true reform. I believe strongly that we will never have true campaign finance reform unless, and until, we can limit what an individual can spend on his/her own campaign. This, however, is not likely to happen since it would take a constitutional amendment.
I will be a strong advocate for the environmental concerns of 1st AD residents. I’ve lived in Humboldt County for almost 30 years because I am so taken with its beauty. Clean air and water are our community’s most valued assets. I will do all I can to preserve that which holds me here. I acknowledge my personal responsibility and commitment to always be a good steward of the environment. As a legislator, that responsibility becomes even greater and will not be taken lightly by me. We must be ever mindful of the balance between maintaining a thriving economy and protecting our coast and environment for future generations. On the North Coast, our shift from a resource-based economy to a tourist economy makes thoughtful stewardship of our land all the more essential. It is my goal to protect the pristine, natural beauty of the north coast and also be sure it is a place where our children’s children can (and will want to) live and work. I would be honored to add the Sierra Club endorsement to my list of growing support from the environmental community.
Note: We plan to include excerpts from candidate responses in our next member newsletter, The Needles.