League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Sacramento County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Ken Cooley Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 8

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. How will you prioritize the budget choices the Legislature must make to align the state’s income and spending?

We should focus on what must be done to grow 2 million jobs by 2012. This will mean focusing on easing business start-up and operating costs, investing in development of a highly-educated, job-ready workforce and putting the state on a sound financial footing.

2. What types of changes or reforms, if any, do you think are important to make our state government function more effectively?

The Legislature needs to rediscover its power of active executive branch oversight so that old & outdated laws or programs are re-directed or eliminated. This is vital to support creation of 2 million jobs over the next ten years. Every lawmaker needs to grow their personal effectiveness rather than letting 4 or 15 "key" members do the work of the entire 80 Member Assembly.

3. Fees for public higher education have gone up dramatically and funding has been cut. Is this a priority concern, and if so, what measures would you propose to address it?

This is a serious issue for the future of California. Traditionally, California was a magnet for jobs because we offered employers a large, highly educated workforce. Investment that encourages talented youth to seek the best education possible so they can become productive citizens is critical for the state's economic future. California was once known envied nationwide for our post-secondary education system and we need to re-invest and re-build this jobs engine.

4. What other major issues do you think the Legislature must address? What are your own priorities?

1. From my service on California's internationally-regarded Seismic Safety Commission I have a long-term interest in disaster recovery and response capacity. Ever since the Long Beach Earthquake of 1933 this has always been understood as carrying significant needs for public schools and the children into whose custody they are entrusted. I will work on strengthening California's disaster response capability against the day when another earthquake disaster strikes our state.

2.The post-Prop 13 rules for financing local development have disadvantaged established communities and infill areas like those that span AD 8. The difficulty of financing development in such areas limits jobs growth and economic opportunities for established communities in AD 8 as well as statewide. I intend to work with all stakeholders -- cities, environmentalists, builders and more rural interests such as the state's cattle and agriculture sectors to develop alternative methods of financing infill development.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. References to opponents are not permitted.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: April 24, 2012 22:52
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