Your Elected Officials

League of Women Voters^®
of San Jose/Santa Clara

Who represents you? How can you contact your representatives?

Interview with Jim Beall Jr.. Interview with Joe Simitan. Interview with Joe Coto.

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Interview with California Assembly Member Jim Beall Jr, 24th Assembly District

This interview was conducted by the League of Women Voters on April 23, 2010.
1. Budget Dilemmas: How will you prioritize the choices the Legislature needs to make to align the state's spending and revenue in a way that addresses the need for fair, sufficient and flexible revenue sources that can provide for state and local government services?
Assembly Beall: The state's three biggest expenditures are:
1. Education (K-12, community college, higher education)
2. Medication (health and human services)
3. Incarceration (prison system)
Education makes up the biggest portion of the budget pie. Health and human services make up the second largest portion. Incarceration makes up the third largest but is the portion that grows the most.
In Home Support Services (IHSS), which takes care of the elderly, the aging population and the disabled, is caseload driven. Caseworkers are paid less per caseload than ever before. There are more older people, and more older people need these services. Therefore, more money is needed.
When Arnold Schwarzenegger took office, 11.2 billion dollars was budgeted for IHSS in 2003. In 2010, 11.3 billion dollars was budgeted, meaning that the dollars apportioned did not grow over the years.
Between October of 2003 and October 2009, the caseload growth amongst the various human services programs varied from 10 to 50 percent in the number of people serviced. These include programs such as food stamps, CALWORKS, IHSS, SSI (Supplemental Security Income). The services provided are thinner and less because these caseloads are higher (due to the recession) and serving more people with counties administering these programs with less money. Welfare cash grant payments are back to 1991 levels. Payments to disabled people have been cut almost to the minimum allowed by federal law.
Incarceration makes up the single largest growth area in the state budget. However, the crime rate has not grown but has actually gone down slightly. But the prison population has gone up. Recidivism is at 75 percent. This means within two years after being released, 75 percent of released inmates are back in prison. California has the highest recidivism rate in the U.S.
The sentence terms get longer the second time a criminal is sent back to prison, and they get longer the third time a criminal is sent back to prison. With the three strikes law a criminal will face 25 years in prison upon the third sentence.
Increasing punishment for criminals involves lengthier prison terms. California has cut all programs for prisoner redemption. This includes education for inmates, drug treatment and mental health programs. The average cost to put someone in prison is $60,000 per inmate. The state has no reserves. Money is taken out of the existing budget to pay for incarceration. That means cuts to health care and education to pay for prison costs.
Assemblyman Jim Beall, Jr. said "no ballot measures unless you know what it's going to cost." Basically, he asked the question "How are you going to pay for it?" The public needs to know the funding source. He wants to see "more money for crime prevention programs" such as job training so that a certain number of criminals won't go back to prison. He upheld the state of Washington as the "golden standard" with a 28 percent recidivism rate. If California could reduce its recidivism rate to 50 percent, the state can close prisons and save money.
Currently, California mandates parole for all inmates. Other states don't mandate parole for nonviolent felons. There are over 30,000 adult males in state prison for non-violent drug offenses. And over a third of parolees return to prison because they commit a new drug offense and violate their parole. There are tens of thousands who had technical violations such as repeatedly not showing up for parole dates. A lot of these are schizophrenic and mentally ill people, who need a treatment program. "Not our job is the attitude."
The cost of prison hospitals is growing. It costs $200,000 to $300,000 to send a terminally ill inmate to a prison hospital. It is cheaper to send them to a county hospital or a nursing home.
Another source of wasteful spending is the California Youth Authority. There used to be 12,000 juveniles handled by the CYA. Now it is just 1200. The budget for the CYA is 350 million dollars. Santa Clara County has declined to send children to the CYA for eight years. Some counties do not send children. The Assemblyman called the program "how to be a dope dealer in high school."
2. The Budget Process: What proposals do you support to fix the budget process?
The Democratic Caucus will have hearings on proposals on Monday (April 26th).
Beall supports "Pay- Go. "If you're going to propose something, you have to pay for it."
He also supports passing local taxes with a majority vote.
He also wants to see "less bills" in the legislative process. He suggests a one-third reduction in the number of bills a legislator can introduce. Hopefully, it'll be reduced to around 10 each. Right now the number of bills introduced per legislator is around 20. With a reduction in the number of bills introduced, the legislature can focus more on the budget. "I think performance management and budget more important than bills."
The Republicans don't like the two-third vote on budget eliminated. It is on the ballot in November.
3. Constitutional Reform: What types of reforms do you think are important to make government function more effectively?
"Don't think constitutional convention will work." Legislature can make structural changes so constitutional convention unnecessary.
"Term limits have to be addressed." It is ludicrous to raise money to run and only serve a short period of time (two years for assemblyperson). There are 400,000 people represented in each district. "Two year term should be four years."
4. General Question: What other major issues do you think the Legislature must address in 2010? What are your priorities?
Beall wants to see "cleaning up the government". For example:
Working in committee to get departments to cut administration overhead and explore effective hiring principles. Now questioning and working with the state to realign the Medi-Cal waiver to get our state its fair share of federal dollars to pay for medical services for elderly, poor, and disabled. Working for effective solutions other than short-term decisions that may save the state money but shift the cost to local governments; the taxpayers still gets the bill but from a different source + nothing really changes. We can change that by solving the root problem, not the symptoms; emphasize preventive measures that we can realistic institute ... like more drug and alcohol treatment and counseling to stop recidivism. It's cheaper to treat them than jail `em, plus we solve the underlying problem. Doing all I can to increase my district's understanding of the issues and to dilute the polarization of the electorate. Informed voters make the best decisions. Holding neighborhood meeting every month, sometimes twice a month to maintain a dialogue. They do not have to come to me + I go to them.

Interview with California State Senator Joe Simitan, 11th District

This interview was conducted by the League of Women Voters on April 30, 2010.
1. Budget Dilemma: How will you prioritize the choices the Legislature must make to align the state's spending and revenue in away that addresses the need for fair, sufficient and flexible revenue sources that can provide for state and local government services?
Mr. Simitian observes: during tough times you spend less, raise more. Constituents want more services and lower taxes, but can't have both now. The challenge is that we have already made cuts. This can be either a revenue problem or an expenditure problem. Right now it's a revenue problem. Last year we did program cuts and raised revenue. The federal government's $8B helped to rescue. Voters said no on others. We did the sensible thing last year. As it went on in the year, however, there needed to be a combination of budget cuts and "gimmicks". This year, it has not turned around as hoped. We're going to have to use cuts. Republicans are not going to budge since they saw how those who supported increased taxes last year either lost, or are not running. Now it will be cuts and gimmicks as a matter of necessity. We will try to hang on to things as a matter of survival, e.g. try not to zero out programs since it is so difficult to reinstitute them. This holds across the board, whether health and welfare or education. Mr. Simitian will continue to push for the ability to make local choices + for example, parcel taxes are a particular push for him. We can also make sound policy choices for little money.
Example #1, change the starting age for kindergarten. Studies have shown that children are too young if they are allowed to start at age 4; currently children can start in September if they will be 5 by December. This cohort would save the state $700M. Thirteen years is $9.1B in savings. We could take half of that savings and use it in pre-school programs so those kids are addressed. There will be a huge debate about where to spend this instead of on pre-school.
Example #2 is on hold. Car registration done every 2 years, not every year, would save paperwork and administration, albeit be a 1-time boost in the amount a person pays. This one is tougher to introduce. Mr. Simitian made the observation that we need to be careful not to recalibrate our expectations. What we have now shouldn't be our long-term expectation; it should not be the new norm.
2. The Budget Process: What proposals do you support to fix the budget process?
Senator Simitian supports a change in the passage rate for the budget from two-thirds (2/3) to a simple majority. He says until we do, the public will not be able to hold Legislators accountable for their budget vote. With the 2/3s vote the majority party is able to say they voted for a budget but the minority party would not let it happen. The minority party says the majority party wanted to spend too much and the minority party prevented that from happening. So they blame each other rather than finding a solution in order to pass a budget. Additionally, he says the 2/3s vote requirement gives extraordinary power to 2 or 3 members of the minority party to get their pet projects put in the budget. Witness Abel Moldonado's ability to cut $2 Billion from the Budget he voted for as well as get the Open Primary proposition put on the June Ballot.
Senator Simitian supported Redistricting because if you are to hold Legislators accountable, California must have seats that are not gerrymandered.
3. Constitutional Reform: What types of reforms do you think are important to make government function more effectively?
Mr. Simitian favors redistricting and reapportionment reforms. At the top of the list he also favors eliminating the requirement for a two-third majority vote and replacing it with a simple majority to pass the legislative budget. He said if the Democrats raise taxes too much, or if the Republicans cut too much from the budget, just toss them out. He talked about partisan gerrymandering in Texas. He opposes efforts by Congress to undo the nonpartisan redistricting commission put in place in California. The question is should legislators draw their own lines or should a nonpartisan commission do this. He does not support putting a proposition on the ballot to undo the nonpartisan redistricting commission. Mr. Simitian supports Proposition 14 but says it is imperfect. He likes the old open primary better. He said he was elected through the open primary. It cost him $1.5 million dollars to win his primary. He was one of the two top vote getters in the primary. His opponent was Ted Lempert, also on the Democratic Party ticket. Under Proposition 14 the same race would have happened in the fall with the two top vote getters battling it out. Proposition 14 will allow only the top two vote getters in a primary for a statewide or congressional race, regardless of party affiliation, to advance to the fall election. This will be more expensive, and there will be more need to raise large amounts of money from interest groups. Mr. Simitian says that all three things (simple majority vote, reapportionment/redistricting, and Proposition 14?) will make the state run appreciably better.
4. General Question: What other major issues do you think the Legislature must address in 2010? What are your priorities?
Senator Smitian tries to focus on 1-3 issues each year, in addition to the general business. This year he will be focusing on changing the entry date for kindergartners to September 1, reducing carbon emissions 33% by 2020, and highway safety.
The change of the K starting date is the right thing to do educationally. Most states use a September 1 start date. Kindergarten has a substantial curriculum which is difficult for the young fives. Changing the date drops attendance for that year's cohort by 25% every year for 13 years as it progresses through school. The cost savings would be 700 million for each year. Senator Smitian recommends adding 350 million to the preschool program leaving 350 million for other uses.
The focus is on renewable energy to bring carbon emissions down 33% by the year 2020. There are 5 reasons to pursue renewable energy.
1. Immediately results in cleaner air.
2. Immediately effects climate change.
3. It is sound energy policy as diverse energy sources protect against market manipulation by single source suppliers.
4. American foreign policy should be based on American interests and values not from the source of our energy supply.
5. Creates jobs and economic development.
6. Does not necessarily require state expenditures.
Senator Smitian commented that there is more alienation of voters than he has experienced in his many years of public service. He feels that part of this is caused by the slow adapt ion to the internet age. Elected officials need to explain quickly in easy to understand language what they are doing and why.

Interview with California Assembily Member Joe Coto, 23rd Assembily District

This interview was conducted by the League of Women Voters on April 9, 2010.
1. Budget Dilemmas: How will you prioritize the choices the Legislature must make to align the state's spending and revenue in a way that addresses the need for fair, sufficient and flexible revenue sources that can provide for state and local government services?
The dilemma: The state of California is too dependent on personal income tax (approx. 54-56% of state revenue is from personal income taxes). A poor economy and/or economic downturn thus creates budget shortfalls. In addition, 36% of state revenue is achieved through corporate income taxes, which have been subject to added tax breaks and loopholes. The smallest part of revenue is from sales and use tax.
The solution: 1. Develop a budget that is less dependent on income tax. (As the state has become more service based, there is also an opportunity to create a new tax base) 2. Close the loopholes and reduce corporate incentives programs by reviewing current corporate tax breaks for continued viability. Taking these steps will create a broader tax base, eliminate services which do not meet the needs they were designed for, (there are currently 12 pages of funds that can be reviewed) and stabilize the revenue flow by rolling back expenditure levels until the economy recovers. Schwarzenegger's proposal to cut the CalWorks program does not make sense. It is counterproductive because CalWorks helps families get off assistance by providing job training. The Governor also cut the vehicle registration fee tax, which could be a significant source of revenue for the state. Support Prop 98 because the more revenue that is raised in the percentage based system, the more funds go to education. The cutting of Proposition 98 would create an education system in California similar to that of a third world country. That is not to say that Prop 98 is acceptable as is. It must be modified, modernized and provide more flexibility.
2. The Budget Process: What proposals do you support to fix the budget process?
See budget priorities. The State Constitution identifies the spending priorities as 1) debt 2) schools/education 3) state employees Additionally: reduce the voting requirement for budget approval from 2/3 to 50%+1, reform current reliance on income tax and establish a rainy day fund of savings and reserves for hard times (one which is not to be drained during times of plenty) The public services sector is hurting for funds. When cities speak of moving professional sporting teams, they are able to locate the funds necessary to do so. It's a matter of shifting priorities to where they are needed.
3. Constitutional Reform: What types of reforms do you think are important to make government function more effectively?
The question asked becomes who gets to decide what the state constitutional issues are? Do we include questions of gay rights, the death penalty, marriage, etc. If we were able to limit the discussion then maybe a Constitutional Convention might be a good idea. The initial reforms should include ballot initiatives, which should be reviewed for legislative viability as well as the potential to pass action in the legislature rather than adding to the cost of the voting process as well as clearly labeled revenue sources. Most importantly would be a performance based budget that sets achievement standards, evaluates progress and modifies as necessary. Secondly, require state agencies to make specific requirements to obtain funds, reduce Cost of Living increases to need/request not automatic yearly increases. Thirdly, fully support a 2-3 year rotating budget cycles that alternates focus, one year budget, 1 year legislation, etc.
4. General Question: What other major issues do you think the Legislature must address in 2010? What are your priorities?
1) Keep working on school finance and reform. ie: reform of Prop. 98 spending, and equalizing per child spending in reference to disparate cost of living increases. 2) The adverse affect of obesity and diabetes on government resources. ie: educate young people and inventory the actual cost. 3) Reform the way that state government gets financed.

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