League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Madison Nguyen Answers Questions Candidate for Mayor; City of San Jose

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them?

Public safety is the number one priority. I want to use the savings we are receiving from the pension reform measure (Measure B) to hire more police officers. My goal is to bring the number of sworn officers to 1,400 for the San Jose Police Department. We need to restore the burglary unit to ensure when someone's home is burglarized, they should not have to wait hours or days before a police officer shows up at their house to take a report.

2. San Jose budget difficulties have resulted in unprecedented cuts to staff and services. How will you deal with coming shortfalls? Restoring some of the City services? And, if you think the City needs additional resources, what are your ideas for increasing revenues?

For fiscal year 2014-2015 we will have a small surplus of $2.5M. However, what's more important is that we are now discussing ways to improve and increase core city services instead of cutting services and programs. I want to work with my colleagues to restore the burglary unit, increase library hours, and expedite our permitting process so that we can help businesses operate expeditiously. Government must operate at the speed of business. If businesses are successful we will generate more sales tax revenues and therefore channel those revenues back to the community by providing better services and programs for our residents.

3. How would you work with individual Council members and the Council as a whole to further your plans and agenda? Describe your leadership style.

I am a team player. I played sports all my life. That's why I have a deep understanding of the importance of working together to achieve effective results. As Mayor, I will reach out and work with all of my colleagues to ensure that we have a mutually respectful relationship. When we work together effectively, we will deliver better services for our residents.

4. How would you balance City-wide, district and interested parties' needs and desires?

Every council member has his or her own needs and desires for his/her respective district. However, we are also elected to serve the residents of San Jose and do what's best for the City of San Jose. I expect my colleagues to always keep that vision at the forefront when they vote on different issues that affect our city.

5. How much money do you expect to raise/spend on your race, and how will you assure voters that financial contributions will not affect your decisions/positions should you be elected?

I expect to raise the maximum amount allowable under the expenditure limit which is approximately $794,000. More than 70% of my donations come from San Jose residents and they are mostly in increments of $5-$25. I have served on the San Jose City Council for almost 9 years. There is no amount of money that can influence my position or decision on any matter. I vote based on the merit of the issue/project and what is right for my constituents and the city as a whole.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Please answer each question in no more than 400 words. Direct 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: May 12, 2014 20:45
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