League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles, Orange County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Carlos R. Arvizu Answers Questions Candidate for State Senator; District 32

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

The State of California is on the brink of Bankruptcy in my opinion with $340.7 Billion dollars in unfunded pension liabilities. Each day interest is accruing, the debt keeps getting larger and larger, and sugar coating the problem with empty words does not solve the problem..

Drastic cuts in funding many programs may be warranted to prevent bankruptcy. None of our career politicians talk about it, and certainly think there is and endless supply of money, and continue to spend.

If bankruptcy occurs, the court trustee will decide on certain events affecting pensions, and the way to structure our debts and what gets cut. Many union contracts will definitely be severely damaged or eliminated in order for the state to pay its bills.

Each department head of in state government, knows the potential budget shortfalls, by reducing salaries from every branch of state government above the pay grade of Principal, from the governor, both the Assembly and Senate, as well as, the judicial side by 20%, I believe, those who are in charge can find and/or eliminate any duplication or waste of certain governmental functions, when their paychecks are at risk. That's the incentive to cut the waste.

Leadership is taking action on priorities, finding solutions, and taking Action on what needs to be done. The question is do we have the courage to take control, or are we part of the problem..

I know this May Not be a popular idea amongst many lawmakers, but drastic measures requires Drastic Action. A freeze on hiring, and perhaps outsourcing certain functions, that can be cost effective.

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?

Draught conditions affect everyone, from the farmers who the grow crops that put food on our tables, as well as meat, that we buy at the grocery store.

Between corruption, mismanagement and environmental concerns, and the cost at the grocery store , we can not afford to wait on miracles. Conservation is not enough. We need Decisive Action.

We need decisive action, creating and implementing and installing Water Desalinization plants, drawing off water from the Pacific Ocean, and piping that water to our aqueduct system, providing water for farmers, and growing plants and trees in barren areas, as well of selling water to Las Vegas who are currently suffering from the draught. This also provides jobs and tax revenues to the state of California and help the environment with oxygen from plant growth.

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?

Unfortunately, many students graduating high school, lack the necessary skills or lack the desire to attend or complete a four year college. Pushing students that are not prepared to advance to higher education, can often be detrimental not only to the student, but to society as a whole. After talking to many educators, not every child will attend a 4 year college, yet alone graduate from college.

My thinking leads me to believe, that we should test and evaluate each student for career assessment in the 10th, 11th & 12th grade, along with guidance counseling, on which direction and action are necessary to take to assist the child in preparation for career advancement.

I also see, many children and young adults lack the understanding how a checkbook works. Many students seem lost when it comes to simple math. Not all teachers, are created equal. Sometimes, students don't quite comprehend what the teacher is teaching, yet can understand from another student. It might be a benefit for another student to explain certain problems, easier than a teacher trying to explain over 30 students in the classroom. A senior student can earn college credit for assisting other students after hours. This accomplishes several things. 1. The junior student understands how to solve certain problems.
2. Keeps the child off the street, and has a new enthusiasm about problem solving. Their motivated.
3. Gives college credit for the senior student.
4. The student is more prepared to compete and complete in college work.
5. The student has a direction, and guidance to move forward or takes a course correction to better prepare them.

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

Removing the double yellow lines from the carpool lanes, allowing those who drive our freeways, access to move in and out of the carpool lanes during Non Peak Hours of the work week and on week ends too.

Peak hours being from 6:00 am to 9:00 am in the morning and from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the afternoon.

Too much congestion from the freeway system. I understand that the metro transportation Authority has control over this, if legislation is needed to take control, to free up motorist commute, I think this is a benefit, for commuters on all of our freeways. Many accidents can also be prevented by eliminating these double yellow lines in the carpool lane, as many motorist, move in or out of the carpool lanes because they are trapped, and would rather break the law and get where they going, than wait to cross over legally, many times causing accidents, or get a ticket.

A more common sense approach is, If someone uses the car pool lanes in peak hours and don't have the legal requirement occupancy, fines should be triple of what they are now. This is an incentive for Californians to make commuting easier.

If motorist can use the carpool lanes in places like Lancaster, or San Jose up north, Los Angeles commuters should not be penalize for carelessness and mismanaged by those in charge of California highway.

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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: May 13, 2014 13:25
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