Candidate for
State Senator; District 1

Scott Gruendl has five (5) Primary Campaign issues which include:
1. Sales Tax Reduction for E-Commerce: We are not collecting sales tax well on the Internet and as a result, local government will lose revenues important to police and fire. I propose to reduce the sales tax for the Internet but increase its collection, as well as, enter into collection agreements with other states. This will allow us to avoid a federal sales tax that would not be good for local government.
2. Domestic Violence Reform: Every law enforcement jurisdiction in California needs a Domestic Violence Unit. I propose a statewide computer system that would track incidents of violence and allow incidents to be used in securing convictions. I also propose the strengthening of minimum sentencing, but stratifying this with a "three strikes" approach and taking into consideration if children are involved. I believe in helping the family as a whole.
3. Access to Health Care in Rural California: This can be accomplished by creating a health care district where we contract with a single HMO provider for coverage. Additionally, I would increase Medi-Cal reimbursement rates. I would attract doctors with monetary incentives and I would require transportation improvements for clients travelling for medical services.
4. Gun Control: I believe that our safety training in California is failing and would seek to require gun owners to demonstrate hands on compentency. I would also put a Dept. of Justice computer terminal in every rural gun dealer's shop.
5. Protecting the Sierra-Nevada Mountain Range: The time has come to support a comprehensive planning effort for all ten (10) of our national forests in California. I would reinforce U.S. Forest Service efforts and include statewide planning policy addressing community based input.