LWVEA Interview with Senator Ellen Corbett 5/17/10
Using LWVC Questions
#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?
Senator Corbett describes that the Legislature is addressing various needs in a tight budget. Revenue is down and the deficit is $18-20 billion dollars. There were good signs leading to the early part of May for the economic recovery however, the personal income tax by tax day. Revenue gained evened out with personal income taxes received.
The revenues received do not meet the needs. The 2/3rds vote requirement ties the legislators' hands. The process requires that members present priorities. The budget committee's chair sets priorities to benefit the majority. Proposals are then made to match priorities including health care, education and transportation. The proposed budget programs are adjusted in response to Republican opposition and various negotiations. The legislature needs to be flexible while preserving programs such as Medicare, CalWORKS and In-Home Supportive Services from being eliminated.
Constituent responses are very much taken into consideration at Senator Corbett's office. Priorities respond to the constituents' needs. This is the input needed to make improvements and help the economy. Senator Corbett's primary priority is education. Families should live the American dream. They should be able to place their children in the public schools to become anything they want to be.
Investment in education creates the infrastructure that helps to grow the economy. A well-trained work force becomes our future entrepreneurs. Accordingly, strong economies create more programs, adequate services, health care and transportation.
At this time we have smaller resources with which to work. The Republicans have taken a written pledge not to raise taxes. Education is under-funded. The Republicans have not offered alternative suggestions. Redevelopment funds for local government is necessary to foster local economy and improve/prevent blight. Senator Corbett voted against cuts to the Redevelopment Funds. Senator Corbett supports the bill requiring an extraction tax for oil companies. California is one of the only states without. This would help fund education.
#2 Budget Process - What proposals do you support to fix the budget process?
Regarding the budget, people should know that the Legislature has been creating much with dwindling resources . Senator Corbett points to examining tax expenditures to find more revenue and changing the 2/3rds vote requirement to allow democracy to work.
Term limits have damaged the legislature over time. Term limits keep legislators with knowledge and experience from providing the history and expertise in the process. For example, balancing the budget requires absolute experience and knowledgeable people in legislature. With term limits, relationships within parties and across party lines have been more divided. Experienced staff become or work for lobbyists very commonly. New members then have new staff while previous staffers work for lobbyists.
Regarding the legislature approving a two-year budget. Senator Corbett has mixed feelings. A two-year budget allows flexibility to do more with less. There would be stability for those who are funded; however, the economy is volatile and it would be a challenge to undo and adjust that budget for the changing economy.
We must establish reserve funds. This is always important. A reserve is necessary. Reserve funds must align with fluctuation and must be thoughtful.
Performance based budgeting has merit depending on how the data is utilized and collected. The analysis of the data will be the challenge with this form of budgeting.
#3 - Constitutional Reform - What types of constitutional reforms do you think are important to make government function more effectively?
The initiative process needs much work. One year of pre-planning is required to fund a new initiative so that it can be supported fiscally but some are poorly drafted. Senator Corbett recommends that creating a review of initiatives before sending to the ballot can help avoid this issue. Judicial review would be required before going to court. People campaigning for initiatives need to be clear about the idea/concept before going forward. Signatures to qualify initiatives are collected by paid signature gatherers who are paid per signature. This can create an incentive to abuse the process.
The constitutional convention could be effective if all the different ideas were represented but Senator Corbett has become cynical of the influence of big money interests. The spirit of this concept is going to be difficult to apply although Senator Corbett does like this idea. Senator Corbett is very grassroots and believes that everyone should be heard (the democracy concept!). She adds that a Joint Committee of the Legislature is having hearings and discussions with California Forward
#4 - General Question - What other major issues do you think the Legislature must address in 2010? What are your priorities?
The legislature needs to change the 2/3 majority vote requirement. There is for consideration also Senator Loni Hancock's majority vote proposal. Majority vote should apply to the budget.
Elections reform need to be considered. Those considering to campaign for elective office are faced with wealth defining the elections. Democracy is destroyed by the fear of big money squashing the competition.
Sen. Corbett will continue to fight for education and higher education. She will continue to protect AB 32 which is better for the environment. Consumer protection is a priority especially since fraud is more prevalent in a tough economy (i.e. for elders). Consumer rights are important.
Access to justice (1 day per week the courts are closed) is eroding the people's opportunities to get redressed in courts. Some represent themselves since they are unable to afford legal counsel. Access to the courts is necessary.
Senator Corbett identifies her most current and standing priorities as education, consumer rights, the environment, and jobs, jobs, jobs!
Jennifer Ong + Interview Participant and Recorder
Suzanne Barba + Interview Participant
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