League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Orange County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Member of the State Assembly; District 74

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Fiscal Choices, Water, Education, Your Priorities Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. How would you prioritize the fiscal choices the Legislature must make to align the state’s income and spending? Answer from Anila Ali: Top priority belongs to Education, Infrastructure, and Research and Development. I am a teacher who understands the importance of preparing children to be responsible citizens and to be the future governance of our country. We have to fund education first. Research and development is crucial in the California's economy. We are known for our critical thinking skills and problem solving skills. California is home to Apple, E Bay, Goggle, and Tesla. We are known around the world as leaders in research and development. For generations to come legislatures should consider tools such as tax credits in order to attract these kind of innovations. Our crumbling Infrastructure will not sustain our communities without major work in this decade. Infrastructure work will create and maintain jobs as well as bring stability to the income of our middle class. By investing now in our children's education, building our infrastructure, and continuing our research and development in the years and decades to come aligning California's income and spending will not be as excruciating. 2. Given our current drought condition, concern for water rights and usage is an important issue. What solutions would you support to address our water problems? Answer from Anila Ali: Effects of global warming and an increasing population are clearly putting strains on California's fragile water supply. The Delta Tunnel Plan is proposed as a 50-year habitat conservation plan to restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta ecosystem and secure California water supplies. We have to be diligent in our studies of the proposed twin tunnels and determine the difference between the governments stated intent on how the project will be operated and its actual physical capacity to do harm. Clearly, as individuals and communities we can do a better job of respecting this natural resource. We need a sustainable water plan for the state that focuses on increased water conservation and efficiency, treating and recycling wastewater, cleaning up polluted groundwater, capturing and treating storm water, and reducing irrigation of drainage-impaired lands in the southern Central Valley. We must combine all these strategies to find a solution for California. 3. California high school students rank lower than many states in student performance. What do you see as the ongoing role of the Legislature in addressing this problem? Answer from Anila Ali: I am a teacher and Education is a priority on my platform. We need to increase funding for teachers, materials, technology and support staff and recognize that long term success requires investment. Education is the future of our country and research for innovation, critical thinking and problem solving need to be fully funded to keep us competitive. Budgets must be created with an educated and realistic understanding of all components of the school program and how to meet the needs of all students. We are in the business of delivering high quality education, and as any business, the program needs to be all-inclusive. From high achieving students to students in Special Education it is the Legislatures responsibility to make sure the money is there for all students. Chronic absentees and truancy has to be addressed. When a student is not at a third grade reading level them may never be. Far too often these are the students that end up in juvenile hall and continue down a path of crime. When a student is not in school they do not learn. I support current and pending legislation on annual reports on truancy and chronic absenteeism, counseling and training for parents, and when all else fails local District Attorney's filing charges against these parents. 4. What other major issues do you think the Legislature must address? What are your own priorities? Answer from Anila Ali: (1)More renewable energy is needed if we are going to avoid catastrophic climate change. We must reduce global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 40 to 70% by the year 2050. We need to act now! Reduction will provide energy security more local jobs and a healthier and cleaner environment for us to live in. We need to plan ahead and find alternatives to driving our cars while burning fossil fuels. Half of the air pollution in this country is caused by automobiles. Global warming is real! Gas prices are soaring and burning fossil fuels affects the air we breathe. We must find a better way to travel like electric and hybrid vehicles. The technology is getting better. California seriously needs to look at rapid rail as a viable means of transportation; it is the future. California has and will always be leaders in technology, innovation and abundant opportunities. (2)No cuts more cuts to teachers and staff; including counselors and librarian. We need to recognize that everyone involved in delivering the educational program to our students are working at 200%. Any cuts to salary undermine personal esteem, are destructive to morale and ultimately effect the educational environment. Our entire educational program becomes at risk as we jeopardize our students learning experience, their future, and ultimately, our future. (3) We need universal health care in our state and our country. Preventive health is the answer to long term health, and the sooner this is recognized, the sooner our state and country will be on the path to economic security. We cannot let foolish "penny wise/pound foolish" ideas guide our future. We need comprehensive single payer healthcare for all citizens. 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. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.