Issues

STRENGTHENING OUR ECONOMY

Endorsed by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. As a legislator I regularly earned an "A" rating from the HJTA, indicating a pro-taxpayer voting record.
Earned 100% rating from the California Taxpayers’ Association. I have consistently upheld the Cal-Tax mission to protect taxpayers from unnecessary taxes and to promote efficient, quality government services.
Honored with Civil Justice Leadership Award by the Civil Justice Association of California. This is awarded annually to recognize lawmakers whose commitment to balance and fairness in the state's civil justice system benefits consumers, taxpayers and businesses of all kinds.
Created Green Jobs by Promoting Renewable Energy. I have worked to create new jobs in the Coachella Valley by promoting renewable energy such as wind and solar.
Created New Trade Jobs. I have actively supported the creation of an eastern Coachella Valley Foreign Trade Zone to spur economic development associated with trade.
Saved Thousands of Jobs. I have been a leader in reforming California’s workers' compensation system, leading to lower premiums for employers, better workers' compensation benefits and an increased number of jobs.
Encouraged New Hiring Through Tax Credits. I helped enact a temporary tax incentive to aid small businesses that created new jobs, saving them millions of dollars.
Spurred Creation of Construction Jobs. I backed efforts to stimulate the housing market through a tax credit on the purchase of a new home, which helped expand job opportunities for workers in the building and remodeling industries.

DEMANDING EXCELLENCE OF OUR SCHOOLS

Named Outstanding Legislator Of The Year by the California School Boards Association. Awarded to recognize the hard work of legislators who devote extensive efforts to the development and success of California’s schools.
Provided Real Leadership. As a legislator and a member of the Desert Sands School Board, I demanded excellence of our schools. In 1994, while President of the Indio Rotary Club, I founded the Math Field Day program to promote math among the youth.
Increased School Funding for Desert Schools. I fought successfully for school funding equalization to bring more money to less sufficiently funded school districts and community colleges in our region.
Directed More Dollars into the Classroom. I introduced legislation to allow school districts to contract out to private enterprise services such as school bus transportation, food service and computer installation and repair in order to save school districts millions of dollars.
Honored with the Champion of Children Award by the California Association for the Education of Young Children. This was awarded to acknowledge my efforts to ensure the safety and quality of early care and education as well as my endeavor to increase the level of professionalism in the field of early childhood education.

PUSHING FOR REAL BUDGET REFORMS

Agreed to have my Legislative salary cut by 5% and my County Supervisor salary by 15%. Due to the continuing budget shortfalls at both the state and county levels, I voluntarily agreed to take a cut in pay.
Banned Salary Increases for Politicians during Budget Deficits. I backed SCA 8 which outlaws pay increases for state politicians when the state has a budget deficit.
Backed Reforms to Clean-up the State’s Budget Mess. I co-authored measures to cap spending and create a rainy day reserve, and I supported legislation to require state departments to contract with the lowest bidder.
Reformed Welfare to Save Billions of Dollars. I supported welfare reform that saved taxpayers close to $5. 5 billion while protecting programs for children, the elderly and the disabled.

PROTECTING THE COACHELLA VALLEY FROM CRIME

Experience to Keep us Safe. I retired after a 31-year career in law enforcement. I began my career in 1971 as a cadet in the Corona Police Department and joined the California Highway Patrol in 1973. After tours in L. A. , Sacramento, and Bakersfield, I retired as the Indio Area Commander in 1988. I was also a volunteer Fire Captain and a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Co-authored Measure to Speed Deportation of Illegal Immigrant Criminals. I helped write a measure to allow the state to assist the federal government in processing illegal immigrant prisoners’ information, thus speeding their deportation, saving the state money and removing illegal immigrant criminals from the country.
Illegal Immigrant Prisoners. I authored legislation to force Washington to fulfill its obligations to reimburse California for the $900 million spent incarcerating illegal immigrants
Kept Sex Offenders Away From Schools. I strongly supported the passage of Jessica's Law to keep sex offenders from living within 2000 feet of a school or park to keep our children safe from sexual predators.
Authored One Strike for Sex Offenders Measure. I proudly authored legislation to add the continuous sexual abuse of a child to the list of "one strike" sex crimes, punishable by life with the possibility of parole.
Supported the Strengthening of Identity Theft Penalties. I backed measures to increase penalties for the trafficking and misuse of personal identifying information. I was especially concerned with elder ID theft and held many community forums and informational workshops on the issue.
Opposed Early Release of Dangerous Felons. As a state senator, I fought legislation that would have allowed the Department of Corrections to release 27,000 inmates before they completed their sentences.

PROVIDING TRAFFIC RELIEF

Expedited Construction of Six Major Interchanges. By expediting construction of six interchanges, I helped create 2,200 new jobs.
Co-Authored Measure to Protect Funding for Transportation. I added my name to a constitutional amendment to ensure that gas tax dollars are spent only on transportation infrastructure projects.

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