Jackie Speier for Lt. Governor of the State of California

CAMPAIGN CONTACTS

Campaign Name: Jackie Speier for California
Address: P.O. Box 112, Burlingame, CA 94010
Campaign Phone: 650-361-0301
Campaign Fax:
Campaign E-mail: jackie@jackiespeier2006.com
Campaign Website: www.jackiespeier2006.com

POLITICAL BACKGROUND

State Senator, Elected, 1998-present
- Assistant President Pro-Tem of the State Senate
State Assemblywoman, Elected, 1986-1996
- Assembly Whip
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors-County Supervisor, Elected, 1980-1986
- President of the Board

If you ran for public office but were not elected, please list those races below:

U.S. Congress (fill the remaining term of late Congressman Leo Ryan, 1997)

YOUTH ISSUES

1. Good schools from pre-K to graduate school require adequate funding and innovative leadership. How would you use your elected office to improve public education and/or make higher education affordable and accessible for young people in our community?

· Seek voter approval of a Constitutional Amendment to lower threshold for passage of a parcel tax to support K-14 education to 55%
· Oppose tax cuts that are inequitable and that (if enacted) would create more volatile revenue for the State
· Seek U.C. and CSU cost analysis and reductions in the rate of cost increases which force UC and CSU to ever-higher rates of tuition increases
· Reform California prisons in order to free up at least $1 billion to shift to education

2. How will you use your office to combat enduring racial segregation and inequality in our education system?

The Lt. Governor must be an advocate for higher education because the Lt. Governor sits on the U.C. Board of Regents and on the CSU Board of Governors. As both UC and CSU increase their admittance standards and tuition, they create additional barriers to students from under-performing schools. Ways to combat racial segregation and inequality in education would be to:

o Focus significant future funding increases on underperforming schools rather than on the broader population
o Reform the Cal-Grant so that more students from disadvantaged backgrounds can attend CSU and UC without significant financial hurdles
o Control costs at UC and CSU so that the rate of tuition increase is significantly slowed-- experience demonstrates that low income high school students will work harder if they know that they can obtain a college education without having to incur a crushing debt burden
o Create pay incentives for more senior and very successful teachers to transfer into underperforming primary and secondary schools.
o As schools begin to perform much better, parents flock to them irrespective of the racial composition of the schools

3. There will be one or more constitutional amendments on the ballot in 2006 that will restrict marriage rights in California and attempt to undo existing domestic partnerships laws. How will you use your race and position to defend the human rights of GLBT families and make the defeat of these amendments a state wide priority?

I am proud to have opposed the Knight initiative in 2000 and I intend to do so vociferously again, irrespective of what "son-of--Knight" looks like. I have supported legislation to permit the marriage of individuals irrespective of the gender of the partners, and I would expect to appear at rallies, give speeches, and to otherwise vociferously defend the right of all adults to marry. The initiatives may seek to repeal existing rights of domestic partners. If so, this would be an even more odious proposal because it would be an attempt to repeal the landmark legislation that I have supported and voted for during my time in office.

4. Young people face special challenges to obtaining health insurance and many go without. How would you use your office to work towards making health insurance available to all?

Ultimately, we need a single payer system for health insurance. Short of voter approval for single payer, we should consider a system in which young people can purchase insurance through Medi-Cal at a fraction of the customary rate for health care coverage. The City and County of San Francisco runs an HMO for its MediCal patients and coverage through that HMO should be significantly more affordable than through the private health insurance market. We should also consider allowing auto insurance companies to offer a small amount of health insurance (say a policy of $2000 per year starting after the first $100 or $200 of claims) so as to spark competition and to broaden the pool of those with insurance. If the minimum wage is increased, we should consider tying the increased revenue to purchase of health insurance with coverage limits that would be paid for by the increase, at least to some degree.

5. The war in Iraq has claimed the lives of too many young people from our community. Money spent on the war is needed for healthcare and education programs that young people in our community sorely lack. Nobody wants to cut and run from Iraq. But our country and community needs an exit strategy. How would you use your office to bring our troops home?

Money spent on the war is needed for healthcare and education programs that young people in our community sorely lack. Nobody wants to cut and run from Iraq. But our country and community needs an exit strategy. How would you use your office to bring our troops home? I oppose the war in Iraq. As Lt. Governor of California, I would continue to work with our California Democratic delegation to determine an exit strategy, and support that strategy.

6. Women’s right to choose is under attack in our country. Young women suffer especially from curtailed access to reproductive health services. How would you use your office to protect a woman’s right to choose and/or expand access to reproductive health services?

First, some of my history on this subject:

· I am the author of landmark legislation, resulting in existing state law, mandating women's contraceptive coverage in health insurance
· I am the author of landmark legislation, resulting in existing state law, that permits women to designate their OB-GYN as their primary care physician
· I am the author of landmark legislation, resulting in existing state law, that establishes controls on demonstrations near reproductive health clinics in order to reduce the intimidation of patients using those clinics
· I am the author of landmark legislation, resulting in existing state law, that requires pharmacists to dispense the morning after pill without additional "consultation fees" that otherwise block access to affordable contraception
· I have always supported Medi-Cal funding for the indigent who wish to end their pregnancies
· I recently helped to raise funds for the anti-Proposition 73 campaign, in coordination with Planned Parenthood, and I vigorously defended the right of all women to make a choice about whether to continue a pregnancy, consistent with the landmark decision in Rowe v. Wade.
· I have sponsored the Young Women's Health Conference each year for the past six years in San Francisco and San Mateo Counties, in which over 500 teen girls attend a one-day conference dealing with all health related issues including reproductive health, violence prevention, self-esteem training, etc.
· For the past two years, I have sponsored a similar conference for girls age 10 - 13 (middle school) in which age-appropriate information on health and living an active and engaged life is conveyed.

Second, my future on this subject:

· Continue to defend a woman's right to choose by opposing any proposed legislation or ballot initiatives that would reduce/or eliminate access to choice
· Continue to raise money to fight propositions that restrict choice
· Support pro-choice candidates for legislative and statewide office
· File friend-of-the-court briefs and original complaints, if needed, should unconstitutional enactments ultimately be passed

7. Young people entering the workforce need good jobs with fair pay and benefits. Employers like Wal-Mart don’t offer a bright future to young people in search of work. How will you use your office to create good jobs and support young people who want improve their working conditions by forming unions?

· The apprenticeship programs operated by unions are an excellent avenue for many young people to enter the workforce and to obtain good wages. I will fight attempts to reduce the standards in such a way that any training program qualifies for recognition as an apprenticeship program, and support continued funding and continued high standards for the union-run programs that truly are a remarkable resource in our communities.
· Apprenticeships are a good way to enter the workforce, but this assumes that good wages and good jobs exist to absorb the entering workers. I support prevailing wage laws and vigorous enforcement of the labor laws.
· Mayor Newsom and I have already begun talks aimed at ensuring that young people from Hunters Point and the Mission are plugged into the workforce that will be needed for the Hetch Hetchy seismic retrofit project, a multi-billion dollar public works project that will extend through 2013. We need to pass an infrastructure bond in 2006, consistent with the state's fiscal situation, that will help us fix our massively underfunded infrastructure. These jobs should remain at prevailing wages and should thus provide opportunities for many young people to begin a career path in the trades.

8. How will you use your office to make housing more affordable for low and moderate income young people?

The State of California should condition the future funding of infrastructure in whole or in part through state bonds on the attainment of affordable housing goals. We have tried to pass housing bonds and to some extent those do result in construction. Ultimately, however, the infrastructure improvements needed over the next decade provide us with an unusual opportunity to plan for low and moderate income individuals by encouraging housing in transit corridors and through mixed-use development.

9. Identify two challenges to San Francisco’s young people in the context of the position you seek? What specific commitment will you make to address these issues if elected?

#a: Access to higher education: I believe that the Lt. Governor should be the guardian of higher education. From my position on the governing bodies of the three levels of higher education (I'm carrying legislation to add the Lt. Governor to the statewide community college board) I will try to lower costs and increase the affordability of higher education

#b: Climate change: All young people face the prospect of a changing environment brought about by global climate change. I believe that compact development organized around transportation corridors can be used to minimize commutes and vehicle emissions and that incentives need to be offered to vehicle owners to purchase fuel efficient vehicles. I have already supported these changes to law and will continue to work with legislators in the future to use California's authority to promote reductions in greenhouse gases. I strongly support the recent decision of the Air Resources Board to begin controlling greenhouse gas emissions of vehicles by creating requirements for vehicles sold in California. As Lt. Governor, I will continue to advocate for technologies and laws that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

10. What are the main challenges facing the city of San Francisco in the context of this position? How will you address those issues if elected?

The city and county of San Francisco has several basic challenges and the Lt. Governor can help. First, the Lt. Governor must appear before the legislature and Congress to advocate on behalf of adequate funding for mental health and MediCal funding. Second, the Lt. Governor must support a budget that treats urban school districts fairly. Third, the Lt. Governor must oppose efforts to eliminate or reduce San Francisco's control over the Hetch Hetchy water system, steps that would threaten the ability of the system to deliver a reliable supply of water to several million people and businesses throughout the service area. Fourth, the Lt. Governor sits on the State Lands Commission, and there are development issues that arise from time to time that need to be settled in favor of the environment of the bay and ocean. The Lt. Governor should be a staunch advocate for enhancing the bay and ocean through minimizing development and by preventing offshore oil leasing in California's waters. Nothing damages the image of our tourist-serving area as much as the sight of an oil spill, and both the environment and the economy suffered in the 1970's when an oil slick spread throughout the bay after a tanker accident. The next challenge will be the

11. Have you collaborated with young people in your community work in the past (list specific examples)? What value did you experience in working with young activists? How are young people involved in your campaign?

Young Women's Health Conference (mentioned before)

Conference for 10 - 13 year old girls (mentioned before)

Young Senators program: I have offered internships and learning experiences to dozens of young people through my Young Senators program, and similar programs, throughout my terms in the State Assembly and Senate. These programs permit young people to participate in the process of government, including participating in public events, researching, handling constituent work, etc.

Young people continue to be involved in my campaign as volunteers. All together, there's an energy that comes from being part of an effort that includes young people, and I am deeply committed to mentoring young people so that they will become the leaders of tomorrow. This was how I began during my years as a volunteer in then Assemblyman Leo Ryan's office, and mentorship is absolutely essential to the process of bringing out the best in young people so that they may contribute throughout the decades to come.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR YOUTH

Consistent support for increased funding for public school education, including class size reduction funding and fully funding Proposition 98;

2. Authored law that allows state to revoke professional licenses and drivers licenses of persons who fail to pay child support. This legislation has led to nearly $2 billion in increased collections from parents, money that goes towards providing food, clothes and shelter for some of California's poorest children. This statute is one of the greatest anti-poverty statutes ever authored in California, and its primary beneficiaries are children;

3. Authored laws requiring:

o That children be put into booster seats and car seats in order to be protected from death and serious injury during car accidents;
o That children be put into life preservers while in boats in order to prevent accidental drownings;
o That homes be equipped with devices to prevent children from getting near swimming pool;
o Fluoridation of drinking water in order to significantly reduce the occurrence of painful and life-debilitating tooth decay amongst California's poorest children (middle and upper income children are almost always given fluoride drops or pills);
o DNA testing of the remains of unidentified children in morgues throughout California;
o Health care coverage for family members as part of the "Play or Pay" legislation that was SB 2 of the 2003-2004 legislative session (narrowly defeated in a referendum vote in 2004)-- have always voted for universal health care coverage bills that come before me in the Legislature;
o Creation of the Office of Perinatal Substance Abuse
o The State Department of Education to set guidelines to be used to determine which children need help with learning disabilities;
o Creation of the "Kid's Plate" license program to fund children's programs (these licenses have the heart and hand and other shapes and are very popular);
o Prohibited a commercial entity from selling or transferring a crib that was unsafe (not in compliance with federal safety standards);
o A statewide public awareness campaign around "Shaking Baby Syndrome" and it’s the dangers of shaking small children;
o Increased prison penalties for assaulting children under the age of 14;
o No baby walkers and other dangerous devices in state licensed day care facilities;
o That no child under the age of 6 be left unattended in a car;
o I have authored many other laws that protect children

4. Authored laws prohibiting schools and personnel from promoting dangerous dietary supplements to students;

5. As Lt. Governor, I will find authors for other statutes that are needed, and testify and offer support for always defending the well-being of children.

EXPERIENCE
Please list or describe your current and past activities in the community in which you have acquired skills that relate to the office you seek. Include your role in the activity and the year(s) in which you were involved. Involvement consists of many areas such as family, neighborhood, community, employment, or public life. Please explain how your experience would make you an effective advocate for young people as an office holder.

Intern, Assemblyman Leo Ryan, California Legislature

Staff member, Congressman Leo Ryan
Lead investigator into hostage taking in the South American jungle compound known as Jonestown. Congressman Ryan Chaired a committee of Congress that was charged with overseeing the safety of U.S. citizens abroad. In addition to nearly 1,000 persons being killed by Jim Jones, Congressman Ryan and many others in his party, including me, were gunned down. I was shot five times and left for dead. I still have two bullets in me. After surviving this experience, I am not afraid to confront the status quo and I feel deeply that each day is a gift and that I must make the best of each day on behalf of everyone in the community.

San Mateo County Supervisor: Learned to understand the role of local government leaders in providing essential services to the public. Led several committees, served as Board President, started the Commission on the Status of Women.

California State Assembly: Numerous laws and hearings leading to improvement in the lives of Californians

California State Senate: Numerous laws and hearings leading to improvement in the lives of Californians