League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA March 5, 2013 Election
	Nicole Chase Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Los Angeles; District 7

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?

We are sacrificing "quality of life" because the City lacks a sustainable realistic balanced budget. A weak budget impacts just about everything including public safety.

The Council, as a joint body needs to address the impending impact of increased taxes; costs of city services on constituents; the efficiency of the services provided and pension reform. We need to create and sustain incentives that encourage business and industries like the film & television to stay, right here in LA. This inevitably would create jobs, increase tax revenues and overall growth.

Creating a true partnership with local businesses, nonprofit community based organizations, labor and our educational institutions are crucial; for all have the opportunity to benefit from business incentives, community enhancements and a stronger pool of qualified individuals.

This is why I have always been an advocate for students and a stronger educational system. They both are the catalyst for building and maintaining a foundation that allows for vibrant communities. Without a viable education system, we are guaranteed an ambiguous future, supported by individuals who did not have the benefit of a sound and strong education, thus leaving an unacceptable percentage of people underprepared, for a competitive global market.

2. The City Administrative Officer has estimated a $200M budget shortfall for 2013-2014 increasing to $300M in 2015-2016. What steps do you propose to deal with this problem, and how much do you estimate each step would reduce the shortfall?

Having access to actual figures, department heads, audits, City contracts and previous budgets is crucial in determining the necessary steps needed in order to get the City back on track with a balanced and sustainable budget. Fiscal stability can only be addressed and achieved by bringing elected representatives together working in conjunction with business leaders, community and labor; thus creating an environment of collaboration and compromise across the board.

We need to perform a detailed analysis of the services being provided by the city and determine if some of the services can be better provided by having a partnership with the private sector; there may be an opportunity to cut costs while increasing the efficiency of city services.

Before asking taxpayers for more money, the city needs to take a hard look at its current accounting practices. Are we efficiently and effectively allocating funds and requiring that funds be accounted for and fully audited routinely. If and when disparities arise from an audit, they must be addressed and rectified within a designated and reasonable amount of time before additional funding can be requested and received.

I would fight to have more transparency on how funds are managed and reported to the public. Department heads will be held accountable for how funds are allocated.

Living outside of our means has a negative impact on an endless list of issues affecting the City on a daily basis.

3. Do you support the ballot measure to increase the sales tax in the city?

I will oppose tax increases, unless they are voter approved, temporary and have a fixed rate.

4. What role do you feel the City of Los Angeles has to play in addressing climate change? Please explain in terms of what you as a city councilmember would have the power to do.

The City can continue to educate the public on the consequences of climate change and provide resources and tools similar to those found in ADAPTLA. I would support the use of these resources because they demonstrate the impact businesses and individuals can have on the climate by reducing their carbon footprint. Additionally, I would encourage businesses and homeowners to leverage current programs and technologies that support affordable green living and eco-friendly systems.

However, City and utility companies need to remain cognizant and sensitive to the cost of incorporating green technologies and practices, especially when the economy is still fragile and rebounding from a recession.

5. How would you prioritize your local constituency versus the City as a whole when acting as a Council Member?

As the district continues to grow, I want to make sure the interests of the citizens of the 7th District and then of the city, will come above the special interests of others. This means making sure that our district receives its fair share of City resources; and that the community's voice and vision is the driving force behind the district's growth.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: February 28, 2013 17:23
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