This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/la/ for current information. |
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Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Council Member; City of Los Angeles; District 14 | |||||
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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Most Important Issue,
Budget Shortfall,
Your District
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
Answer from Gloria Molina:
As one Councilmember it will indeed be difficult, but I can only lead and bring about change by example. My history on the Board of Supervisors reflects the kind of independence and disciple I would utilize in making budget decisions. Answer from Nadine Momoyo Diaz:
Answer from Jose Huizar:
In these austere times, I have fought to strike a balance between cuts to City services in the name of fiscal restraint and the need to invest in our neighborhoods, our police and firefighters, and the need to modernize our City systems and facilities.
After helping to establish the independent office of the Ratepayer Advocate, I have consistently fought for his recommendations to make DWP budgets more transparent and efficient.
I called for the revenue from the sales of medical marijuana to be spent on enforcement of our medical marijuana laws, which has built a full team of prosecutors in the City Attorney's office dedicated to enforcing the voter approved Proposition D.
Be wary of those who promise across-the-board budget cuts, which can lead to long-term financial liabilities. For example:
Answer from Gloria Molina:
A set of budget proprieties must be adopted by the Council starting with public safety issues and a "back to basics" budget. Another aspect of the budget that must be tackled is to set aside a prudent reserve as difficult as that may be. A prudent reserve is essential in any budget and then the Council can begin preparing plans for two- and three- year budgets in order to prepare for future escalating expenses such as pensions, fringe benefits, and health care. Answer from Nadine Momoyo Diaz:
Another approach would be to deduct the vehicle allowance for council members and replace it with a Metro pass and a bike. We need to cut back where we can, even though this is a small percentage of the budget, the allowance is superfluous. The council salary is more than enough for them to purchase their own motor vehicle. If they used the Metro or rode their bikes they will be in more in touch with the community and residents, and be healthier.
City services have been cut vastly and basic services are not being provided equally throughout the city and the district. As council member I will work to eliminate inefficient practices and redundant operations, however, cuts will not bring up the level of service of the departments that have been reduced. I would propose two city revenues, one will be a Sugary Drinks tax for the distributors of the drinks, and the other will be an Oil Extraction tax on oil producers in the city. These two new revenues can go into the general fund to help fund parks, sidewalk and street repairs, senior's services and homelessness. Answer from Jose Huizar:
Given these and other cost savings and an improving economy, we've created a 5.5% reserve fund (which is higher than the standard minimum) and something I worked very hard to include in our budget, as well as a substantial rainy day fund. The CAO foresees that we will reach a structural balance in 2018.
The City also is using zero-based budgeting in some instances, which I have fought to include for years, so departments' budgets can be based on necessary services provided and not simply using last year's budget as a barometer to ask for more. And every year, we've balanced our budget. During my time in office public safety has and will continue to be my top budgeting priority. Crime is down to record lows not seen since the 1950s and that service needs to be maintained.
The main issue we face now is maintaining and filling the gaps where City services have been eliminated or severely cut, like paving sidewalks and tree trimming, street cleanings and bulky item pickups.
Through my Clean Communities Initiative, we are addressing these City shortfalls in Council District 14 and working with our City Departments to pave sidewalks in front of churches, parks, schools and neighborhood streets. We're trimming thousands of mature trees and planting new ones, adding hundreds of trash bins to our corridors and I have joined with the City Attorney to fight illegal dumping by purchasing cameras to successfully prosecute offenders.
Answer from Jose Huizar:
CD14 includes all of Skid Row, a decades-old experiment gone wrong that proves that you cannot solve the complex crisis of homelessness by concentrating individuals and services in a single area. Not only is the crisis of homelessness a damper on economic investment and a drain on City resources, it is morally unacceptable. The quality of life in our neighborhoods requires that we address the conditions of our homeless population, and this demands a combination of resources and renewed commitment.
While Los Angeles County has authority to implement most of the mental health, medical, social and housing services that the homeless rely on, it was my office that implemented a first-of-its-kind City/County collaboration to offer these services on the streets of Skid Row during the City's Operation Healthy Streets cleanups. These services continue to be offered on a bi-monthly basis and have resulted in hundreds of individuals receiving medical, rehabilitation and housing services that they might not have otherwise received.
I have fought and traveled to Washington D.C. to talk to federal officials to demand the City of Los Angeles receive its fair share of federal resources and am supportive of efforts in Skid Row and other areas of Council District 14 to identify and house the most chronically homeless individuals.
I am supportive of the Mayor's commitment to end Veteran homelessness by the end of this year, and I have fought to fully fund the LA Homeless Services Authority, as well as earmarked in 2014 nearly $3 million to go to homeless services agencies and affordable housing for low-income residents.
For too long, the City has set policy on homelessness that was seeded in response to litigation. We need a proactive vision for addressing this problem and better coordination from and with Los Angeles County.
In CD14 and beyond, homelessness is not an easy issue to address. There are no ready made solutions for all cases, but it is one we cannot ignore and I aim to continue to work with our partners to address it as thoroughly and thoughtfully as possible.
Overall I believe Council District 14 is on a major upswing. If you look at all the neighborhoods in Council District 14, from Eagle Rock to Highland Park, El Sereno and the surrounding communities to Boyle Heights and Downtown and all the unique neighborhoods in between, they are among the top established and up-and-coming communities in all of Los Angeles.
Crime is down to record levels. We've invested in our parks, new open and public space, promoted increased safety, pedestrian and bicycle activity and business opportunities along our main corridors. We've solved traffic and park issues that sat on the books for more than 30 years.
My office has made a concerted effort to partner with local community organizations and stakeholders to improve the communities that make up Council District 14 and we have been extremely successful.
I operate four field offices, which is more than any other councilmember because constituent service is my No. 1 priority. We have literally closed tens of thousands of constituent service cases since I came into office. We've removed more than 16 million square feet of graffiti and paved more than 250 miles of streets.
All these things, our successes and our challenges, take diligence, collaboration, leadership, and a community presence in order to implement. That is something my staff and I have been doing for nine years, which is why we have the support of more than 200 community members, your neighbors, and endorsements from a diverse set of organizations.
Simply put, we've been doing the work and I look forward to continuing to work for you and with you for the next four years! Answer from Gloria Molina:
Answer from Nadine Momoyo Diaz:
The homeless issue is not only isolated on "Skid Row," but throughout the district and the city which impacts everyone and every community. In CD 14 for example, homelessness is evident in communities such as Eagle Rock, Boyle Heights, El Sereno, Highland Park, Herman, Hillside Village, Little Tokyo, Glassell Park, Garvanza, Rose Hills, South Park, Monterey Hills, University Hills and Hazard Park. On the campaign trail, CD 14 constituents have indicated, "the homeless issue is growing and the incumbent lacks the experience to take care of these issues."
The homeless population is not homogeneous, but diverse with veterans, women with children, males, females, families, seniors, drug addicts, mentally ill and the disabled. Therefore each of these target populations requires a different system of care and treatment planning that addresses their needs. One treatment plan for the homeless population is not conducive for all homeless people.
As a social worker, I understand homelessness because I have worked and continue to work with the homeless population in CD 14. In 2006 I worked with a medical team on Skid Row from 5:30am to 5pm, providing mental health services, HIV testing, crisis intervention, housing and other resources. I was also a member of the Skid Row Initiative Committee, where I provided expert advice and consult regarding all homeless target populations and effective treatment planning.
Since 2006 to the present time, I have worked as a Clinical Social Worker at California Hospital located in Downtown L.A., specifically South Park in CD 14 . This experience has given me the skills and knowledge base to continue to help the ever growing homeless population suffering from mental illness, drug addiction, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, child abuse, elder abuse, sex trafficking and other issues that impede their lives.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page. |