League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA June 6, 2006 Election
	Michael Mulcahy Answers Questions Candidate for Mayor; City of San Jose

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. There are proposals to add 30,000 houses and more office space in North San Jose, thousands more homes in Evergreen and to build a new community in the Coyote Valley. There has been no in-depth study of how these plans will affect one another or services throughout the city. Should San Jose complete a thorough, public review of its general plan for growth before approving any more major development plans? Silicon Valley needs more housing, but San Jose needs more jobs to strengthen its tax base. How would you balance those conflicting pressures?

I have a plan that would promote a vibrant downtown and livable neighborhoods by putting a priority on infill development. As mayor, I will conduct an "infill audit" to find appropriate development sites downtown and along transit corridors. My vision for smart planning will help keep San Jose the Bay Area's most livable city while promoting our economy and our rich cultural life.

As for the general plan, I will implement a strategy to complete its thorough update within 24 months.

Please see my detailed plan for smart growth by clicking here.

2. San Jose has a council/manager form of government. Over the past few years the balance of power has shifted toward the mayor and there are some elected officials who support this stronger role for the mayor. Should San Jose move to a strong-mayor form of government or have a strong professional administrator? What kind of city manager will you look for?

My experience in both the business sector and the non-profit world has taught me that the greatest skill of a leader is to hire and motivate a great team of people. Unfortunately, I don't think the current crop of politicians share this basic smart leadership insight. The politicians and the professional city managers have stumbled over each other as a result. Every single branch of government has a vital role, and we need to make sure they are performing in those roles.

One of the strengths of our system is that we have a professional city manager. The mayor should work to support that, not undermine it. Our system of district elections for council members is also a strength, but not if we see it as a mini-mayor system. We have a basically sound system of government, but we need to make sure everyone is doing his or her own job, not trying to figure out how to do somebody else's.

3. Safety often includes services such as homework centers and code enforcement for neighborhoods, but the city budget now being prepared could cut much needed services. If there is no other source of funds to maintain safety-related centers and gang prevention, would you consider reducing the funds going to support the police and fire departments? Can the growing costs of police and for pensions be covered without depleting funds for other community service in the future?

The only long-term solution to solving our perennial budget problems is to grow our economy so tax revenue increases.

In my experience, savings can more often be found by finding inefficiencies than by cutting jobs and services. I will find new ways to use staff more effectively, reengineer administrative tasks, and establish a complete line-item budget for the council's review and adoption.

I would also require a more efficient system to keep track of what needs repair to make more informed judgments about the allocation of scarce public resources. I will create a competitive environment for the delivery of city services by challenging our city departments to deliver services more cost effectively. And I will work to attract and retain businesses that will help us grow our economy, with a priority on businesses that generate high-wage jobs.

4. Money to maintain and operate the city’s public facilities such as parks and libraries is in shorter and shorter supply. So while new or expanded community centers have been proposed previously, the city is looking at closing or privatizing up to 30 existing centers it cannot afford to operate. Should the city re-examine its plans to add parks and other public facilities? Are there services the city could cut to find money for these highly valued ones?

I would address these issues by closing the debt and balancing the budget. As an outsider, I am not beholden to any particular special interest. I am ready to go in and find creative solutions to balancing the budget. I will find new ways to use staff more effectively, reengineer administrative tasks, and establish a complete line-item budget for the council's review and adoption. I will create a competitive environment for the delivery of city services by challenging our city departments to deliver services more cost effectively.

Most of all, I will balance the city budget by growing the city's economy. As I said before, I completely reject the false dichotomy between cutting police and closing libraries claimed by so many politicians. In my experience, savings can more often be found by finding inefficiencies than by cutting jobs and services.

Although the budget gap is smaller than originally projected, the ongoing problem remains. And the mayor needs to understand that the only long-term solution is to apply sound business principles and to create more effective delivery of services. These proven solutions will grow our economy to expand revenue. And, we must be very careful not to spend one-time funds on ongoing programs.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: May 5, 2006 19:26
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