League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA March 3, 2015 Election
	Gloria Molina Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Los Angeles; District 14

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

Questions & Answers

1. What do you think is the single most important issue facing the City of Los Angeles today? As Council Member, what would you do to deal with it?

The most important issue facing the city is fiscal responsibly and integrity. The budget reflects the policy priorities of the city and regrettably the Council is responding to Special Interests and their issues and not focusing on the discipline needed for an orderly fiscal process. This, in turn, is causing a general weakening of critical services to our neighborhoods.

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.

2. The City Administrative Officer has estimated a $300 million budget shortfall for 2015-2016. What steps do you propose to deal with this problem and how much do you estimate each step would reduce the shortfall?

The first step to bring order to budget is to adopt a set of standards to manage the escalating expenses of the budget. First of all, they must freeze all new hires and ask all departments to prepare for a 10-20% cut in their departmental budget.

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.

3. What is the single most important issue facing your Council District today, and how would you deal with it?

The entire district is suffering from a lack of response from the city, which has led to a series of issues from police response time, sidewalk repairs, trash and graffiti, and overall lack of maintenance of the entire District. But more significantly, the District needs leadership in order to tackle the escalating issues of over development, lack of affordable housing, and quality of life issues.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' answers are presented as submitted.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: February 2, 2015 08:36
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