League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Fresno, Madera, Tulare Counties, CA November 2, 2004 Election
	Michael R. Macias Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 29

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. What does California need to do to address the current budget crisis?

The State of California must address several key issues in order to restore fiscal balance.

One of the first issues California must address in order to restore fiscal balance is spending. TheState of California must follow the simple equation of not spending more than you bring in. As a State we must prepare our budgets not for the present, but for the future. The State must make necessary spending cuts if it is to solve the current budget problems. California also needs to take in-depth looks at oversights, waste and fraud within government agencies.

California must also address the business enviroment within the State. As a State, we must become more business friendy, and promote California as such. In doing so, the State can attract more companies to do business in California which will in turn produce a greater tax revenue and produce more jobs.

2. What should the state's priorities be for K-12 education? For the Community College System?

The State of California's priorities for K-12 should be to the students and their education. The education system should be the last of any systems to endure budget cuts. The State should maintain its current level of allocated funds to the K-12. The State of California should also seek to raise the salary of teachers within the State in an effort to attract more qualified teachers to California.

The State's Community College System should also be spared from budget cuts. The State's Community College System is home to thousands of students who cannot afford to attend a traditional four-year institute. If the State elects reduce the budget of the Community College system, and tuition must be increased, it will prevent many deserving individuals from attending college. If the State of California plans to be competetive in the business arena, we must provide access to higher education for all qualified students.

3. What measures would you support to address California's water needs?

Calfornia's water needs need to be addressed in a fair manner. As a resident of the Central Valley, I support the idea of water meters being installed at all residential homes in an effort to conserve our water supply. We must be vigilant and seek resolutions to our growing water concerns.

4. What should the Legislature be doing to address the needs of Californians without health insurance?

The California Legislature should not reduce the spending on health insurance. If the State seeks to reduce its spending on health insurance for Californians without it, it will place a heavy burden on the low-income families of California. The State should appropriate the fund necessary to provide the best education for our children, and work towards enrolling more Californians who need health insurance in the State's Health Insurance programs.