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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
Economy and Jobs,
Health Care,
Energy Policy,
National Security,
Immigration Reform
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. In this time of high unemployment and budget deficits, what are the most important steps that should be taken to improve our nation’s economy and sustain job creation?
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Answer from Christina M Gagnier:
Our district faces an unemployment rate hovering above 20%. This is unacceptable.
Our workforce programs are broken and everyday, thousands of frustrated job hunters are not receiving the support they need. I want to work on retooling workforce development programs to make sure we are providing job support services that empower everyone from first time workers to seniors needing to remain in the workforce.
I want to ensure our jobseekers are learning skills that reflect the needs of the job market. Our workers need the skills to take today's jobs.
A skilled workforce will allow our district to attract companies to our region, growing the economic opportunity for all of us.
Read more about my views on America's jobs issue: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christina-gagnier/americas-joblessness-cris_b_4549982.html
Need to learn some skills to find work? Check out a platform Christina developed, JobScout: http://www.myjobscout.org
Answer from Anthony Vieyra:
Unemployment continues due to the fact that corporations find it cheaper to relocate jobs overseas. We need to bring back the "made in the USA" slogan and get our products "made in the USA" again. Americans are the best workers and make the best products, let Americans do their jobs !
Budget deficits are caused by politicians overspending and favoring tax breaks to corporations and the 1%. Do not vote for a politician who has no finance or accounting experience ! They do not understand where money comes from or how to budget for it. As for taxes, make corporations and the 1% pay their fair taxes. Corporations that hire American workers deserve a tax break, and corporations that favor overseas workers deserve a tax increase.
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2. What, if any, changes should be made to federal health care policies or programs?
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Answer from Anthony Vieyra:
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was a milestone in that this is the first overhaul of our health care. The feedback that we are hearing is that some people are unable to keep their doctors or plans, and we need to address that and make sure to find a way that they can continue the care they want. The second problem is forcing people to sign up, and that is not the "American" way. We need to have a way for those who desire, to "opt out" of the Affordable Care Act.
Answer from Christina M Gagnier:
We have overlooked the obstacles that caregivers face in the midst of managing the care of a sick loved one. Whether it is financial issues, sometimes as simple as not having bus fare to get to a sick child, or it is medical bills piling up, our systems are not providing adequate support.
Now that we have affordable care, it must also be accessible care. We must ensure resources are easy to use and accessible. Our policies and technology systems when it comes to providing healthcare must keep pace with one another.
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3. What are your priorities with respect to our nation’s energy policy?
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Answer from Anthony Vieyra:
Our nations energy policy has started implementing conservation, efficiency, renewable energy sources, and research and developement. My priority is to continue with this policy while maintaining the affordability for the average citizen.
Answer from Christina M Gagnier:
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face. It poses a dire threat to our economy, to national security and to the environment. Scientific consensus warns of intensifying weather events, food and water shortages and increasing global conflicts should we fail to take action. I will support policies aimed improving energy efficiency standards and increasing the use of renewable and clean energy sources. Not only would support for such policies reduce the risk of negative impacts of climate change, they would create well-paying jobs in the district and would reduce our economic vulnerability to foreign sources of energy.
California has been, and should continue to be, a leader in clean energy policies.
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4. What, if any, changes should be made with respect to our nation’s security, including our national defense or anti-terrorism measures?
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Answer from Anthony Vieyra:
Our nation's security must continue to remain a high priority. In regards to conflicts in other parts of the world, we must remain loyal to our allies, and move away from forceful means to negotiations to maintain peace. Due to a weak economy we must maintain our national defense and anti-terrorism measures with regards to making sure we do not overspend.
Answer from Christina M Gagnier:
We lack robust national policies that protect us from our newest threats: those that are coming online. I want to ensure that our businesses are equipped to meet the threats that exist and are prepared to manage unknown threats. I want to work to create systems that minimize our cyber vulnerabilities.
We need to take programs that have been created, such as the framework here in California, and integrate these ideas into a national infrastructure, giving support to business large and small.
In 2013, Representative Waxman and Senator Markey released a report highlighting the vulnerability of our nation's electrical grid to cyberattacks and malicious hackers. Given the importance of electricity our economy and the interconnectedness of our electrical grid, we are extraordinarily vulnerable to attacks on the grid. As an expert on cybersecurity, I will bring valuable perspective to legislative efforts to address the vulnerabilities. We must push for stronger standards to keep our economy safe from cyber warfare.
This type of smart planning should be part of a new approach to thinking about national security.
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5. What is your position on the issue of immigration reform? What, if any, changes to legislation or policy would you support?
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Answer from Christina M Gagnier:
I have worked with entrepreneurs who could create jobs, but are hampered by their immigration status. I have also seen companies desperate for the high-skilled workers that would allow them grow and create new jobs for all levels of skill in the workforce.
A path to citizenship leads to shared economic gains. Immigration reform would help to bolster programs like Social Security since those who are legal workers would contribute to the fund. Businesses founded by immigrants create millions of jobs every year. A more fluid immigration process could also lead to higher wages for workers born the U.S. since the skills of immigrants often compliment the skills of a regional workforce. In a time when we need an economic boost and more jobs, meaningful reform would have a positive economic benefit.
I want to work to make sure we are not losing opportunities, such as the next innovative company, due to immigration laws that do not accommodate our modern workforce.
Answer from Anthony Vieyra:
Immigration reform is urgently needed. In terms of priorities, we need to recover from the economic crisis and get people working again before focusing on immigration.
In the meantime, we need to make the deportation of non-violent immigrants the lowest priority until a comprehensive plan is passed. The Republicans and Democrats need to put aside their differences and work to make immigration work for everybody.
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.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
