League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
	Joe Gardner Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 48

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

It is essential that government operates within its budget. Escalating taxation is not the answer. All non-essential spending must be eliminated. The key to improving our economy is to embrace the concept of creating private-sector jobs and develop small businesses to generate revenue. The Legislature must be focused on being fiscally responsible for the greater good of all Californians.

2. What types of changes or reforms, if any, do you think are important to make our state government function more effectively?

Government must restructure its system of taxation and eliminate redundancy and waste to attract business back to the state. That means dismantling job-killing regulations and directing its resources to the more important issues of public safety, improving our infrastructure and education system.

3. Fees for public higher education have gone up dramatically and funding has been cut. Is this a priority concern, and if so, what measures would you propose to address it?

We need a skilled workforce for job creation. We must hold administrators of our education systems accountable for proper fiscal management. Funding to them must be spent wisely. Part of funding issues centers around unstable sources of revenue due to a poor economy. Generating opportunity and prosperity for all creates revenue to our schools.

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

The state has abdicated its responsibility regarding AB109, "Realignment." It has created public safety concerns and elevations in crime. The state must take responsibility and actions to properly manage and cut costs to prisons to assure justice is served and the people are protected.

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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 25, 2012 06:27
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