Patch
asks 25th Senate candidate Gil Gonzales--running to represent San Marino--his
views on local and state issues ahead of the June 5 Primary Election.
Courtesy of Patch.com
Pasadena native Gilbert Gonzales, 35, is
running for his first office in the 25th Senate district. The Republican
candidate is running against incumbent Carol Liu (D-Pasadena) and Democratic
candidate Ameenah Fuller.
See all the candidates on the June 5
primary ballot here.
Born in a migrant farmer family near
Fresno, Gonzales graduated from Pitzer College and is currently the Director of
Public Affairs and Government Relations for Vons/Safeway. His resume also
includes extensive public service on community boards such as the Valley Economic
Alliance Board of Directors, the Central City Association and the Pasadena
Accessibility and Disability Commission.
Veteran Liu is favored to take one of
the two open spots on the ballot for the 25th Senate district, which includes
Glendora, San Dimas, Claremont, La Verne, La Cañada Flintridge, Monrovia, San
Marino and South Pasadena.
While Gonzales is running against two
Democrats in a district that is majority Democratic, the moderate Gonzales
remains confident in his chances in June 5 Primary.
Patch interviewed Gonzales by email and
he explains why he believes he can effect the change California is looking for.
1.
Why are you running for the 25th Senate district? What experiences has prepared
you for the Senate?
I am running for the newly drawn 25th
Senate District because our community and our state are facing a serious fiscal
downturn and I can’t stand idly by without doing my part to help.
My personal and professional experiences
have prepared me well for this next step, and I am confident I have the tools
to be successful.
While attending Pitzer College, I
started an afterschool tutorial program for homeless children in the Ontario
Montclair school district. After college, I created and ran a literacy program
for incarcerated youth in the LA County Probation camps and the LA County
Office of Education. The program, which is still running today, has been a
great success and continues to increase the literacy levels while decreasing
the recidivism rates on youth offenders. I understand the challenges our
children and teachers face, and I’ve demonstrated that new ideas can create
positive results. Doing more of the same simply doesn’t work – a truism that is
proven by the fact that our state’s educational system ranks 48th in the
nation.
We need to deal with a lot of these
issues pragmatically, and it is imperative that the district have a
representative that seeks solutions over ideology. Having worked as State
Senator Bob Dutton Legislative Director in Sacramento, I have a solid
foundation on how the state capitol works. I am proud of the fact that I was
able to navigate the legislative process on a number of issues that required me
to work closely with both sides of the aisle in reaching practical solutions.
Also, as a Senior Director for Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa in Los Angeles, I helped push policy at the local and
state levels that resulted in attracting and retaining companies in the region.
2.
What do you think has contributed to the state's current fiscal situation? What
would you do to help with the state's recovery?
The answer to this question is,
paradoxically, simple and complicated. It’s simple because the causes of our
current fiscal state are obvious. Our state government is spending more than we
are taking in and our tax base is shrinking as companies and jobs leave the
state. The math is simple, but the courage to do what it takes for Sacramento
to “live within our means” to get us back on track is what’s complicated.
My experience working in the office of
Mayor Villaraigosa in Los Angeles put me at the center of sound policy and
negotiation to ensure we attracted new businesses and retained successful
businesses in the region.
3. What needs to be done to boost economic
recovery in California?
In order to have long-term sustainable
growth in our state we must not pass policies that will stifle business growth
and results in further layoffs. The state must continue to work towards
business-friendly policies that will attract investment into our state. Also
the imposition of additional regulations and state mandates will further hamper
business expansion and job growth in California. With sustainable growth, we
will see a corresponding decrease in the jobless rate of our state, and this
will get our state moving forward again.
4.
Would you have an instrumental role as previous local representatives have had
in bringing funds to the Gold Line extension project? Why or why not?
Yes. The voters approved Measure R
because they support local public transportation projects and were willing to
give up hard earned tax dollars to ensure that this project came to fruition. I
stand with the voters and see the value in providing local public
transportation projects for the district.
5. Schools have long struggled with dwindling
state resources. How do you think the state should treat funding for public
schools and higher education? What should be done to maintain quality
education?
There are a number of proposals
currently being discussed regarding school funding. It’s important that we seek
creative ways to increase funding for both K-12 education as well as higher
education. Regarding maintaining quality education for K-12, I believe there
needs to be a system in place to ensure data-driven accountability for schools,
funding for achievement, school choice for families, as well as rewarding
effective teachers in the classroom.
6.
What specific issues would be a high priority for you if you were elected to
Senate?
Education will be a top priority. It’s
important that we create ways to increase school funding for K-12 education, as
well as higher education. The importance of funding should always be a
non-partisan issue. I will work closely with others to provide practical
solutions to our current fiscal crisis.
Check
back with Patch for more candidate interviews.
Courtesy of Patch.com. See original article here.
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