All but two of the candidates in the race for California State Senator for the 26th district answered five questions by E-mail.

The Questions
1. Given the recent budget crisis and the recession, tough choices had to be made. In the budget process for future years, what would you cut and what would you keep?

2. Legislative popularity is at an all-time low, with only a 21% approval rating. What would you say to constituents who have lost faith in their elected officials?

3. Statistically crime may have seen a dip in recent years but some residents complain that not much has changed--not enough police, police profiling, and rampant gang and drug activity are still the norm, some say. How do you propose to reduce crime in the district?

4. How much and what sort of involvement should government have in business interests, particularly in the entertainment industry, which is huge in California (and many studios are located in Culver City, which is in the district)?

5. In the interest of full disclosure, who and what are your biggest financial backers, and where do you stand on political lobbying?

The Answers
Candidate: Robert Cole

1. As a Commissioner of the Economy and Efficiency Commission, I have helped to promote fiscal responsibility for departments, agencies and operating Los Angeles County Services. As Senator for the 26th district, I will work to restore accountability to government and break through the walls of bureaucracy in Sacramento to get our budget back on track. In the future, I would not give the horse racing industry $32 million at the expense of cutting $11 billion for our children's education. I would review the amount of money that is being generated for education from the lottery because the citizens of this state were promised that a portion of the money from the lottery would go to support education yet the education system has not benefitted from the lottery system as promised.

2. I believe that Legislative popularity is at an all-time low because candidates have failed to deliver on promises made while on the campaign trail. Citizens support candidates who promise to represent their best interests, yet once they are in office they are not as accessible and do not advocate and address the needs and concerns of their residents. As a result, citizens have become disenchanted with their elected officials. Therefore, I recommend that citizens hold their elected officials accountable by calling their offices and writing letters to force them to address their issues and if they do not then the voters must not re-elect the elected official. Thus, it is important that we support candidates who are invested in the community and committed to representing the interests of the people.

As one of the Senior California State Directors of Outreach for the Obama for America campaign, I worked tirelessly to help bring about the change our country needed. I witnessed first-hand how inspired citizens became because they believed in Barack Obama as a leader and his commitment to the people. Like Barack Obama, I will work to address the concerns and issues of all citizens not just the concerns of special interest groups or affluent constituents. When you are an elected official you are responsible for representing a diverse constituency and you have to do your best to represent the concerns of all citizens, and not just funding or tax breaks for special interests. Most importantly, the voters must elect people that share a commitment to the community and their interests. It is my hope that efforts of candidates like President Barack Obama and myself will help restore citizens' confidence in elected officials and that people will become more civically engaged.

3. There are a couple of ways that I propose to reduce crime in the district, first, citizens, elected officials and the LAPD must work together to establish stronger partnerships as a community to address crime must work to develop stronger relationships. We must encourage residents to work with the LAPD and their Senior Lead Officers to address the issues in their community and trust the integrity of the officers to help them and trust them. Some of the ways to establish these partnerships is by having standing meetings with the stakeholders, developing youth programs discouraging gang activity, developing partnership with schools, parents and LAPD along with increasing state funding for gang crime prevention.

4. The government should be the driving force of business interests because small businesses and the entertainment industry are large sources of revenue for this district. I would work to figure out ways to work closer with small business and the entertainment industry to understand their needs and how we can provide more state support so that their businesses will thrive. I would also like to create an initiative with the high schools in the district, small businesses and the entertainment industry to create more job training opportunities for students which will also help strengthen the district.

5. I am pleased to say that I am financially supported by the voters in the 26th District, small businesses in the district, family and friends in the district. I have a large number of voters who have made small contributions to support my campaign for change. These are difficult times for many people in our district and it is reassuring that people believe in my candidacy enough to support me even in these financial times. I have also invested a significant amount of money into my campaign for change.

Candidate: Saundra Davis

1. It is appalling to see our representatives give money ($32 million) to the horse racing industry using the excuse of "saving jobs" when we have an educational system that is not only suffering but failing. Public schools in Los Angeles and throughout California are at an all time high for failure, while Teachers, Counselors and other Educational Staff have received pink slips, other vital educational necessities and programs are being cut, and the budget has been balanced on the backs of our children and students. I would of course reprioritize, keeping more money in education, cutting out the special interest such as "Horse Racing."

When we talk about a budget crisis and unnecessary spending, we must not forget that if either of the two assemblymen win this election for the 26th District Senate seat, a costly special election is inevitable to fill that assembly position. Who bears the cost of that? We the people, the taxpayers of course must come out of our pockets once again. This shows a frivolous disregard and lack of commitment and dedication since they raised their hands on the Bible to be sworn in to represent the people in their assembly positions this past November and the next day began running for another position. This not only speaks to their lack of concern for your money and mine but also speaks to their definition of commitment and dedication.

I would spend less money on prisons and more on education. When we send a message that we believe more in the prison systems than we do in educating our students, we set the tone. Children learn what they live and if we believe in this for our children, what are we telling them since the prison institutions are decided when children are in the third grade.

2. I would say that the people have good reason to distrust the current politicians. That's why I decided to run for a state political office. I am truly annoyed when I see that politicians can live in another district and inadvertently run in a district where they have no allegiance or political history. When major politicians step up and support such individuals claiming they have your best interest at heart, indicating they have done their due diligence in your district, knowing they can't even vote for themselves because they hold and have held office in another district for at least the last 15 years, we are disenfranchised. We have rules and regulations that are supposed to prevent this but obviously they don't apply to everyone, and if the politicians don't follow the rules, why should the people? This is obviously only an example of one issue that is prevalent in this election. The other issues that persist include collusion with special interest groups and lobbyists. When a politician is financially supported by the masses of special interest groups, guess where their allegiance is? It certainly doesn't seem to be with the people you've been elected to represent. The question of a state legislator running for election, raising their hands swearing to represent the people for the full term, (the 48th and 51st Assembly Districts) and the next day throwing their hats in the race to run for another seat; what good is their word? Their word is not their bond but money is. It shows a lack of commitment to the people and to the position. So again, where is their alliance? When there is no allegiance, commitment, concern or accountability why would people continue to believe in the politicians?

My last point is this; when a major politician backs a candidate no matter what their record is, ensures they have all special interest money, and convinces other politicians to change their alliances/endorsements for special interest support in future elections, is it the voice of the people or of the candidate that you hear once that person is elected or is it the voice of the backing politician pulling the strings of the puppet? At that point, does one politician actually speak for both seats? For these reasons I too have lost faith and have little trust in politicians.

3. I think there has to be more collaboration between law enforcement and the community to dispel the tone of disrespect on both sides. Minority children are often privy to the observation of police brutality which is something that continues to resonate as a vivid part of their reality, at least in their minds if it isn't turned around or dispelled through positive reinforcement. Utilizing law enforcement officers as positive role models for children from early ages can serve to reverse the tide of attitudes and perceptions that promote the increase in numbers of crimes leading to the increase in the prison population and system. This could change the tone of law enforcement as being seen as the enemy. I use the Explorer Program as a prime example.

Those young people are exposed at early ages and have a desire to help the community by providing their services. The route children will follow is assessed by the third grade and accordingly, so is the need for prisons and the number of new prisons that will be built. Since we know this, we need to touch those lives at earlier ages. Also, when the community feels they are a vital part of the system they too play a major role in keeping crime to a minimum.

4. It is very important for our government to develop programs and policies that support large corporations and small businesses. Since the entertainment industry employs so many people, it is imperative that the government consider the provision of tax breaks, be afforded the ability to provide healthcare options, and other incentives to bring back runaway productions. This equates to boosting our economy by providing jobs in the entertainment industry as well as the sustainability of existing small businesses and small business ventures.

5. This is strictly a grassroots campaign and I'm very proud to say that the people of the 26th District have been my greatest backers. Political lobbying is fine when the limits are followed. When lobbyists distribute large sums of money through various sources to appear to be within limits, it is a conflict of interest which dictates the allegiance of the politician on the receiving end. From what I understand, this campaign has rendered at least $700,000 to one of the candidates. This means that candidate owes their soul to the special interest groups that spent this large sum of money. Having money does not make a good candidate.

Candidate: Merv Evans

1. Cuts in Social Services reflect a bad public policy. MANY OF OUR FELLOW CALIFORNIANS ARE HURTING. We must bring business and Job Development to California. We Must Stop the loss of Vital Small Business Concerns. Lower Taxes will Create the Growth we need. It is time to call upon the Office of the President to provide The State of California more Help.

2. Reduce Tax Rates, Stop the Car Registration Fee Hike. Political Reform--Stop the Sale of California to the Highest Bidder.

3. Right Now the Drug War in Mexico has jumped the Border. We need to enhance security. More Community Police & Race Relation Programs.

4. None. Tax Break to Select Concerns is not a Free Market Position.

5. We have not accepted any Donations and I do not intend to.

Candidate: Rabbi Nachum Shifren

1. Reduce government spending, IMMEDIATELY, across the board by 20%. Including education

2. Elect me.

3. Deport all illegal alien gang bangers--IMMEDIATELY.

4. Leave business alone--cut all business taxes to 0 for at least 6 months.

5. My backers are all small donors. I'm not interested in political lobbying, since I owe nothing to nobody. I want nothing to do with them, and they will have nothing to do with me.

Candidate: Jonathan Friedman

1. Let me start by saying what I would NOT do:  I would NOT make mindless across-the-board cuts in every category of the state budget, as our legislators did in this past budget cycle.  Across-the-board cuts indicate that lawmakers can't set priorities, and refuse to make tough decisions.  As a result, the legislature cut nearly a half a billion dollars from public transit, almost a billion dollars from state colleges and universities, $8 billion from K-12 schools and community colleges, and almost a billion dollars from grants and support to the elderly, blind and disabled.  This must never happen again.

When I am elected, I will work through the state budget and determine what programs are marginal, and eliminate the marginal programs to save funding for the ones that are vital.  This means I will be willing to eliminate many of the hundreds of "oversight" commissions, like the California Avocado Commission, which do not fulfill important state government functions.  We can no longer afford to do business as usual in Sacramento; we can no longer protect sacred cows and cushy jobs for termed-out legislators.  As a Chartered Financial Analyst, I am qualified to analyze the budget, and I have the courage to make tough decisions.

2. Constituents have lost faith in their elected officials because our elected officials have failed us.  Instead of being diligent in their oversight of our tax dollars, they have frittered those dollars away with programs that do not have true impact.  Instead of cutting marginal programs and fully funding the vital ones, they made across-the-board cuts to programs that we all care about:  public transit, education, support for the elderly and disabled.  We can restore the public's faith in elected officials by electing officials who have the courage to make hard decisions and stand up to special interests.

3. Crime destroys residential neighborhoods, disrupts local schools, and kills small businesses.  A visible and well-trained police force is one way to solve the crime problem. 

Additionally, the federal government has failed to protect our borders, allowing criminal illegal aliens to flow across our borders and commit violent crime here in Los Angeles.  In addition to the impact on our community, there is also a huge financial cost to this problem:  nearly 20,000 state prison inmates are illegal aliens, one in nine prisoners.  They cost California taxpayers nearly one billion dollars a year, and despite the fact that the problem stems from lack of federal border control, the federal government pays only about 10% of this enormous cost.  It's time for Sacramento to stand up and demand that the federal government reimburse California for this cost.  As your State Senator, I will stand up and demand reimbursement. 

We have other crime-related problems in our communities.  While local law enforcement is responsible for dealing with most of them, I will work to ensure that law enforcement has all of the resources they need to protect life and property.  As a Chartered Financial Analyst, I am qualified to ensure that we are spending tax dollars efficiently and effectively; public safety is a top priority.

4. Government should create policies that invite businesses to locate and thrive in California.  Businesses create jobs, pay taxes, consume goods and services, and boost our economy.
 
The entertainment industry is a key part of the 26th State Senate district:  there are three studios in the district, and many post-production enterprises.  But the entertainment industry has been lured to do business in other states, and California must take steps to keep the film business here.  In addition to financial incentives, California must also provide top-notch public education that prepares our students for high-skilled, high-wage work, including those jobs in the entertainment industry.  We must also have public transit and affordable, quality housing for those who work in the entertainment and other industries.  Education, housing and transit help to create livable communities in which businesses want to locate.

5. My biggest financial backers are individuals and families who believe in my ability to fix our state's budget crisis.  Political lobbying has become a tremendous problem in Sacramento, with PAC money running rampant and keeping incumbents safe in their jobs, despite their poor performance.  I will be an independent legislator, not beholden to any special interests, which will allow me to do the job constituents expect their legislators to do.

Candidate: Mike Davis

No answers received.

Candidate: Curren Price Jr.

1. My Democratic colleagues and I worked tremendously hard to minimize cuts to vital social services and public employee jobs during this most recent budget session. It was our hope to fully protect education, health and welfare, public safety and the environment from any and all cuts. Unfortunately the state of our economy due to rising foreclosures, decreasing revenues and the governor's perilous decision several years ago to cut the Vehicle License Fee which resulted in billions of dollars in lost state revenues all contributed to a situation which was not easily resolved.

We needed to keep public employees working, keep students in school, maintain services for the elderly and disabled but the harsh reality is that, in order to get the state out of what was rapidly devolving into a disastrous financial situation, cuts had to be made. These cuts did not reflect my values or ideals but the reality is that budgeting in good or bad times requires fiscal constraint and prudent stewardship. The process that it took to get the budget passed is the very reason we need a simple majority vote in the legislature and one of my top priorities will be to work with my colleagues in both the Assembly and Senate to ensure that this never happens again.

2. I would encourage constituents who have lost faith in their elected officials to get involved with their elected officials' offices, neighborhood councils, and political and civic organizations in their districts. One-on-one engagement and an active and engaged constituency is as important to the success of an elected official as them member themselves.  It is important that elected representation is a two-way street where legislators act on the expressed concerns of their constituents and where constituents communicate those concerns through face-to-face meetings, emails, phone calls or community groups. Public service is a difficult job but one that I happily participate in because I also understand the gratification that comes with building a new senior home, funding educational programs for students, creating jobs through sustainable developments and identifying new pathways to health access. It is vitally important for me to do my job well because of the confidence that constituents have placed in me and it is, to me, equally important that constituents have direct access to me to voice their concerns and policy priorities. 

3. Crime reduction is among the toughest policy and social issues with which we must contend. In the City of Los Angeles we have seen reductions in overall crime statistics as well as increased efforts to address the issues above-more police, supplemental education and training for officers, gang suppression and crackdowns on drug dealers and cartels. However these problems did not arise overnight nor will they be resolved overnight. It requires consistent, concerted efforts on the part of elected officials, community leaders, law enforcement, schools and in some cases clergy.

I fully support current efforts in the City of Los Angeles to expand the ranks of law enforcement because tough economic times are often when we need law enforcement the most as theft, robbery and domestic violence in particular often increase as individuals and families try to cope with financial struggles. Gang violence and activity is high in some areas of Los Angeles County and I believe that we must continue to work towards strategies that incorporate prevention, intervention and suppression across many jurisdictions.

Crime has many causes from economics to education and if we are to fully and comprehensively address crime we must seek ways to fund well trained officers, health and mental health services delivery, and job, workforce training and educational intervention programs that directly address the social and economic reasons young people join gangs and provide alternatives.

4. Government (local, state and federal) has a responsibility to work with large and small businesses to create a climate in which businesses and communities thrive and workers can earn a living wage. This assistance may range from incentives for businesses that re-develop brownfields and sites in blighted neighborhoods to rebates for businesses that reduce vehicle miles traveled by employees who telecommute and reduce traffic congestion and air pollution to public/private partnership incentives. These and other types of assistance are appropriate in my view to keep businesses in California and keep Californians working.

The entertainment industry as you note in your question is crucial to California's economy (generating by some estimates more than $38 billion in revenue and hundreds of thousands of jobs. This is particularly true in the 26th Senate District which is home to the world's largest movie studios. I am proud to have been appointed by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass to the Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media. One of our principal goals is to work with film and television studios to prevent the exodus of production not only to other states but other countries. I support providing tax incentives and rebates to studios because without it we are forcing middle class jobs out of the state. The tax revenue generated by keeping those jobs in California goes a long way towards helping to financially support programs from education and social services to infrastructure.

5. I am honored to have the most diverse support of any candidate in this race from Congresswoman Diane E. Watson; the two senators who have represented the 26th district for the past 10 years combined, LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Sen. Kevin Murray (ret.); the L.A. County Federation of Labor and the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce; the California League of Conservation Voters and the Los Angeles County Firefighters; Equality California and the Stonewall Democratic Club, the California Nurses Association and the LA County Medical Association and many others.

I have received such broad based support because of my pragmatic approach to public policy which seeks not to favor one group or interest over another and my belief in the first amendment rights of individuals and organizations to advocate for issues.

To date, my three largest donors are Service Employees International Union-State Council, American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees and the California Dental Association. I have many other donors that include individuals and organizations.

Candidate: Cindy Varela Henderson

No answers received.