Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 16; Democratic Party

When I came to California in the 1970's, it was a very different place. It was a time of optimism - a time of promise. Our schools were the gold standard in public education and people moved to California to take advantage of the opportunities our state provided. Today, we have dissolved into a California of have's and have-nots - the have's get quality educations, access to health care, live in clean environments and walk down safe streets. All the have-nots have are broken promises.

If we are going to improve California and start fixing the inequalities that plague our state, we must start with the schools. Education is the core of our communities. Many of our social problems + crime, unemployment, homelessness +are a direct result of the failure of our educational system. These problems must be addressed aggressively, but until we give our children the education they need to hold the jobs of our new economy, we can not begin to cut these problems off at the source.

The legislature is full of people who ran on an education platform but didn't have the knowledge or commitment to improve our public schools once they got to Sacramento. For the past two decades I have been an education activist- as a volunteer, a parent, and an elected official. As an local school board member, I increased revenues, cut spending and raised teacher salaries.

California ranks 44 th in the nation in per pupil spending. As your Assemblywoman, I will work to reduce class sizes, close the education achievement gap, provide incentives to experienced teachers in underperforming schools, increase salaries, and implement programs to recruit and retain talented teachers.

I am an independent community leader with the practical experience, the know-how and the commitment to be effective in Sacramento. In recognition of my work in the community, Assemblywoman Wilma Chan honored me with the Woman of the Year award in 2004.

I'm proud to have the support of education leaders Delaine Eastin and Rob Reiner and Senator Sheila Kuehl, author of the Single Payer Healthcare Initiative. I'm proud to be supported by local teachers, women's groups, parents, police officers and firefighters.

I invite you to look at my website, or call my campaign offices directly, to learn more about me and my positions on education, healthcare, and other issues of concern to our community. I hope you'll join me in continuing the legacy of strong leadership in the 16th Assembly District. I would be honored by your support and, most importantly, your vote.