League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Cruz, Monterey, Santa Clara Counties, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Mark Stone Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 29

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 would you prioritize the fiscal choices the Legislature must make to align the state’s income and spending?

For the first time in a long time, the State has had a balanced budget with a good fiscal outlook. We need to continue with the fiscal discipline that has been shown over the last budget cycle and I look forward to implementing the rainy day fund that will go to the voters this November. We also need to look at strategic investments in California's future. This is a time that we can invest in education and the safety net services that we know are good for our communities and save us great expenses in the future. Whether we are trying to break the poverty cycle, eliminate the achievement gap, or reduce prison recidivism, prudent investments in our social network are critical to the future of all Californians.

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?

We have been working on two major areas, short term drought measures and the longer term implications of the water bond. Earlier this year, the legislature and Governor passed policy that will move the money that the State has been holding on to for water projects to projects that have immediate benefit to drought-impacted communities. This is allowing them to install inter-ties, develop better infrastructure, and secure local water sources. The longer term view must provide for resources for each of California's regions to solve their unique water security issues. For the central coast, this means more regional approaches to watershed management, aquifer storage, tertiary water treatment, and water quality projects.

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?

The legislature is working with the Governor to re-invest in the education system. Our educational outcomes do not currently match the needs of the workforce and the expectations of the global economy. By investing in common core, moving more responsibility and authority to the local level and bolstering higher education, we can significantly improve our student success. We are in the early stages, however, of taking a good look at how we can improve early education. We know that early education success is key to graduation rates, student success, and getting our students into the workforce. We need to do much more to integrate early care and education into our general educational priorities.

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

My priorities remain to improve the safety net for soil services, make strides to reduce poverty and inequality in California, shore up the child welfare system, and reform our failing prison system. On the environmental front, I continue to work on reducing placates pollution and strengthen protection for coastal and ocean resources. My bills in the legislature this year are all in furtherance of these goals.

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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 30, 2014 11:18
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