Political Activity
I have primarily been an organizer, fundraiser and financial supporter for city of Riverside Mayor, Hon. Ron Loveridge, Senator Barbara Boxer, Senator Diane Feinstein and most recently for Senator Hillary Clinton. I have also supported and raised funds for Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, various local Imperial County Supervisors and City of Riverside Council members. Besides being a political activist, I have been involved in local service club, i.e. Rotary International. I have also served on the board of the El Centro Chamber of Commerce. I have supported the Riverside Democratic Club and the Imperial County Democratic Caucus.
Health Care
First of all, the proposed mandated California Healthcare plan is financially ill conceived. The plan has poor projections of tobacco sales and has hypothetical dollar figures for the leasing of the California Lottery. It also has a payroll tax increase to businesses to finance the current plan. I envision that uncontrolled and ever-increasing insurance premiums would cause the state to further funnel from the California general fund to finance the program. All this at a time of an escalating deficit which is now projected at 16 billion from the previous 14.5 billion dollar. I would like to see the proposal with a solid financial plan and contingencies for increased costs.
Immigration
Although a Federal Government matter, immigration is an emotionally charged debate fissuring our state and out nation. Twelve million undocumented immigrants (nationally) who fill essential jobs and also make contributions to our community still sit in limbo. In the absence of federal plans, states and local governments are creating their own plans. These plans are contradictory, possibly unconstitutional, and difficult or impossible for California businesses to follow. Today’s economy and our nation’s continued need for an immigrant workforce demands that our lawmakers create a state and national plan.
Renewable Energy
The State of California must adhere to having the utilities meet their 20% Renewable Energy requirements by 2010. I believe Palm Springs the Coachella Valley as a whole and Imperial County are uniquely positioned with its resources for the production of Wind Power, Solar, Geothermal, and Biofuels for power generation. Tapping this potential will increase generation of revenue through business taxes and further reduce unemployment and bring higher paying jobs to our citizens.
New taxes
I do not favor raising taxes. This defeats the purpose of what the federal government is trying to accomplish by giving the taxpayers money to spend so that it may fuel our economy. If raising taxes is proposed in a fair manner for a specific new program, such as a solid healthcare plan, then I believe, taxpayers would be more accepting of a tax increase. No new taxes to simply meet the financial mis-management that the current California Senate and Assembly have created.
Gay Marriage
I will strongly support legislation that ensures Registered Domestic Partnerships and Civil Unions in California to have all the same rights and benefits granted to married partnerships.
Budget Cuts-Education
Budget cuts are inevitable. I have observed, and have personal friends in education that inform me some school districts and state offices are top-heavy. I would have to gather further financial information to ascertain the amount of cut in management expenses could be tolerated without affecting teaching/classroom education.
Veterans
I believe that the Federal Government is definitely short-changing our veterans. These men and woman must be provided with appropriate debriefing, health evaluations, counseling, and social services. California’s responsibility includes providing our veterans with these needs and holding the federal government to its commitment. Perhaps seek financial reimbursement from the federal government when California provides service to our veterans.
Water Supply
We must address the California Delta. Delta pumping restrictions and climate change are the two most significant changes facing the system. The Delta project provides drinking water for 2/3 of the California population and irrigation water for millions of acres.
Providing water for Californians is vital. The State of California has to take decisive action. Action on conservation and action on investment in surface retention and storage of water, particularly the Delta regions.
Salton Sea
Salton Sea is of major importance to me. The Salton Sea poses tremendous health hazard if ignored. The Salton Sea Authority has developed a plan for restoration. Restoration to include a viable recreational body of water, a portion to be an ecological habitat and a portion to serve as a salt sink and protective salt flat. This plan isn’t cheap it may cost hundreds of millions of dollars. It also will not be cheap to mitigate the health hazards. Therefore, we need to protect inflows and outflows. We must adopt a statewide plan to address the inflows of municipal effluent crossing into our state from Mexico by way of the New River. The Salton Sea is a health hazard and it will create a litigious environment, which in the long term will be costly to local, state, and federal governments.
