League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Jimmy Gomez Answers Questions Candidate for Member of the State Assembly; District 51

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?

For the first time in over a decade, we have passed a fair and balanced budget on time in consecutive years. This has been done by prioritizing needed social programs, such as education and health & human services, while at the same time making sure we create a "rainy day" fund to ensure we don't regress into budget deficits. I am proud to have played a leadership role in passing these budgets first as Democratic Whip and now as the Majority Whip of the Assembly.

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?

California is facing the worst drought in decades. I am proud to have played a key leadership role in passing Proposition 1, The Water Quality, Supply & Infrastructure Act of 2014 that would provide $7.2 billion to address our state's need. In the bond, I also secure $100million to the LA River Revitalization.

In addition to the bond, the Governor recently signed by bill, AB 2434 that protects owners from being taxed for doing their part to conserve water. My measure ensures that people are not taxed on any rebate to offset the costs of removing water consuming lawns (the most water intensive plants in households) and replacing them with drought resistant landscapes.

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?

1. We must guarantee adequate funding for the classroom, including cost-of-living and growth for all state programs.

2. We must ensure that our schools have up to date textbooks, resources and facilities that allow students to succeed and achieve California's high academic standards.

3. Make sure that low-performing schools receive additional funding and support from the state.

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

I feel that the state legislature should address any issue that deals with the quality of life of Californians.

My legislative priorities include:

Education: During my first two years in office, I have authored and had various education bills ranging signing including expanding the number of immigrants that qualify for instate tuition rates (AB 2000) , providing priority enrollment to Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) and Disabled Students Program Services (DSPS) at Community Colleges (AB 595) , incorporating a civic education curriculum into American Government classes in high school (AB 700), and to lead voter registration efforts at their campuses (AB 1817).

Public Safety: During my first term in office, I have passed major bills dealing with public safety. Last year, the Governor signed, AB 238 which requires police departments to enter restraining orders into a shared database that all enforcement agencies have access to (instead of only having police officers carry hard copies) in order to serve the protective orders within 24-48hrs. This provides law enforcement the tools needed to fight domestic violence.

This year, the governor signed two more of my public safety bills. The first is AB 2321, which provides funds to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs through the sale of a specialty license plate. Another bill is AB 1547 that allows for the permanent continuation of the "Domestic Violence Advisory Council" in order to help prevent and address domestic violence.

Community & Consumer Protection: This is a very important issue for me, and as such, I have passed a few bills dealing with this. AB 1147 addresses multiple issues plaguing the massage therapy industry that affect our communities by putting land use authority back into the hands of local governments so that human trafficking and other illicit activities can be better addressed.

Another one of my bills dealing with consumer protection is AB 1627. This bill requires any non-government entity providing state licensed services, to disclose to the consumer that the same service is available free of charge though a state agency.

Equal Protection Rights: Equal protection rights is another issue that I care about and have fought for. This year, the governor signed my bill, AB 1951 which modernizes California's birth certificate. The new birth certificate will be formatted to allow each parent to identify as a mother, father or parent. It will allow all parents to accurately identify their relationship to their child.

Last year, I authored AB 663. Thanks to the Governor's support, this measure helps ensure lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) seniors get respectful and competent elder care. It integrates LGBT cultural competency instruction into the training received by residential care facility administrators.

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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: October 20, 2014 12:01
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