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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Fiscal Choices,
Water,
Education,
Your Priorities
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. How would you prioritize the fiscal choices the Legislature must make to align the state’s income and spending?
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Answer from Darrell R. Fong, Ret.:
Spending and raising taxes must be considered with great restraint. That being said, making sure we pay for essential services for the public is part of our responsibility. I would prioritize spending on public safety, education and safetynet health services for seniors, the disabled, and the most needy residents of the state.
Answer from Diana Rodriguez-Suruki:
Prior to 2009, the Legislature was borrowing and spending way more than the State could afford. The residents of California, senior citizens and children ultimately ended up paying the price for those mistakes. Too many seniors suffered because of cuts to social services. Too many schools lost funding. In my community, I had to organize parents and lead a fight to keep schools open. We must never again return to the days of boom and bust budgeting. That is why I support restructuring our tax system so that we are not at the mercy of income drawn from capital gains and income taxes. We cannot afford to depend on up and down trends in the stock market to dictate how we budget. I will work to make sure our state's general fund is reliant upon stable streams of funding and backed by a solid rainy day fund.
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2. Given our current drought condition, concern for water rights and usage is an important issue. What solutions would you support to address our water problems?
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Answer from Darrell R. Fong, Ret.:
The state needs to pass a clean water bond without earmarks in order to invest in regional water projects that include storage, recycling, and conservation. I oppose the construction of twin tunnels to divert water to the Central Valley and Southern California.
Answer from Diana Rodriguez-Suruki:
I support legislative efforts to put a workable water bond on the ballot this November. The previous water bond was driven by political decision-making rather than sound policy and what was best for all Californians. A water bond that provides a balanced solution to resolving drought conditions and includes both conservation and additional storage of water, is the best approach.
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3. California high school students rank lower than many states in student performance. What do you see as the ongoing role of the Legislature in addressing this problem?
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Answer from Diana Rodriguez-Suruki:
In California we spend less money per student than any other state. This must change and we can start by identifying administrative waste at the school district level. As a local school district trustee, I have found ways to cut administrative costs and redirect those funds into the classroom. This is what we must do statewide to ensure our tax dollars are spent on educating kids.
Answer from Tim Gorsulowsky:
The California Legislature will need to promote a strong Educator base by offering compensation that is commensurate with the standard of living in our State.
California disciplinary policies in high schools must be revised to a zero tolerance level. This process will assist in student focus and achievements.
Answer from Darrell R. Fong, Ret.:
The Legislature can lead with increasing emphasis on early education that has been proven to reduce dropout rates. In addition, California is 49th in per pupil spending. Unless we do a better job investing in public education, student performance will not improve.
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4. What other major issues do you think the Legislature must address? What are your own priorities?
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Answer from Darrell R. Fong, Ret.:
I believe that the Legislature must focus on comprehensive ethics and open government reform.
Answer from Diana Rodriguez-Suruki:
We need campaign finance reform. Elections shouldn't be won or lost based on how much money a candidate raises from special interest groups. Whether those special interest groups are corporations, labor unions or industry, they donate to candidates with the expectation that those candidates will deliver favors in return once elected. My campaign is 100% financed by parents, community leaders and people who care about making our state a better place to live. If elected, I will have no ties to special interest groups.
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.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
