> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Candidate Platform Calls for Traffic Relief Through Mass Transit and Carpool Incentives
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/060306-story-20060603-10/
- Published: 2006-06-03T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T18:14:52.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Government & Politics, Downtown, #archive-import, Homeless, Homelessness

I strongly support the development of the Exposition light rail line from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica. At a cost of just over $1 billion for a 14.6 mile right-of-way, this project is anticipated to be one of the busiest lines in the nation. I support the development of the Red Line subway on Wilshire Boulevard to Westwood and to Santa Monica. I also support the expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit system already operating on Wilshire Boulevard and support expansion of this service to Santa Monica and Lincoln boulevards and other corridors. 4\. IS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION A PROBLEM? IF SO, WHAT’S THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE AND COMMON SENSE WAY TO SECURE OUR BOR- DER? DO YOU BELIEVE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION HAS HAD AN OVERALL NEGATIVE OR POSITIVE IMPACT ON CALIFORNIA? WHY?

Illegal immigration is a problem, but it is not a criminal problem. The federal government does need to better fulfill its responsibility to manage our borders so that the dilemmas posed by illegal immigration do not grow. It’s failure to do so is in large part a byproduct of legislative penny-pinching.

I object to the mean-spirited legislation in the House to criminalize illegal immigration by making it a felony where now immigration is treated as a civil matter. It offers no path to legal residency or citizenship, especially for those who have been here as productive contributors to the economy for many years without other law violations, and may have family ties or children who are legal residents or citizens. The Senate version of the bill, while flawed, at least attempts to take a balanced approach to what is a social problem not a criminal justice problem.

We are all only a generation or two or three from immigrant status ourselves. We should recognize the immigrant population as a real resource in our communities and our economy. 5\. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING SANTA MONICANS? HOW DO YOU INTEND TO ADDRESS IT?

One cannot easily determine the biggest issue facing Santa Monicans. We have several, all requiring regional and state efforts to address: maintaining the quality of our schools; worsening traffic and congestion; loss of affordable housing; and the problem of homelessness are all issues of great significance to Santa Monica.

The quality of our schools is an issue of resources. We have made heroic efforts for our schools and have succeeded in ensuring an excellent education is available here; but, only because we have been willing to tax ourselves and our city has been willing to support our schools. The State of California has been failing us. It will be my first priority.

Our worsening traffic and congestion will require the state and our region to invest smartly in public transit and land use policies to encourage smarter growth and transit-oriented development.

The loss of affordable housing in our community is largely a product of unwise state intervention into local affairs: the Ellis Act and the Costa-Hawkins Act. We must now strive to build new affordable housing with outrageous land costs. The State of California should provide financial resources to close the funding gap.

Homelessness is a major problem. Santa Monica has provided a model for humane treatment of the homeless. The effort needs to be regionalized and the State of California must play a role. I look forward to working with local leaders to define that role. 6\. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE PRIORITIES DURING THE FIRST YEAR AS AN ASSEMBLY MEMBER?

My first priority will be to lead an effort to make California schools great again, just as they were 30 years ago before we began a major disinvestment in public education. During that time, per pupil funding and student achievement have plummeted. We need to strive to be in the top 10 among states in student achievement and per pupil funding again.

My next priority will include continuing the extraordinary environmental leadership of Assemblywoman Fran Pavley and Sen. Sheila Kuehl, both of whom have endorsed me. That will mean fighting to reduce greenhouse gases that cause global warming, pressing measures to clean up Santa Monica Bay and preserving the Santa Monica Mountains from development.

Third, I wish to be Senator Kuehl’s partner to pass SB 840 that provides for a system of universal health care in California. Currently, more than 7 million Californians have no health insurance. The majority of California's uninsured work at jobs that provide no health benefits. The overall cost of health care has doubled in a decade, but the quality of the care continues to decline dramatically. If you are uninsured, forget it. Senator Sheila Kuehl has courageously provided public focus for this debate and has been demonstrating that such a system is not only good for employees — it is also good for employers who are facing spiraling costs of coverage for their employees. Research verifies that there would be billions of dollars of savings with universal health care that can be reinvested to improve quality. 7\. IN 100 WORDS OR LESS, WHY SHOULD PEOPLE VOTE FOR YOU?

Voters should vote for me because: ■ I share their values and priorities. I will address the issues they care most about: education, our environment, health care, transportation and affordable housing. ■ I have direct experience as a policy-maker on the issues I will face, especially the needs of public education, health and environmental policy. ■ I have a record of effectiveness as a school board leader, creating an excellent local school system despite state funding cuts. ■ I work well in collaborative relationships required in the legislature. I run for office solely to elevate my community, not myself.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 3, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/060306.pdf?ref=smdp.com)