35th Senate District Candidates Offer Solutions to Housing, Jobs, Energy, and Safety Concerns

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35th Senate District Candidates, L to R: Laura Richardson, Nilo Vega Michelin, Albert Robles, Alex Monteiro

 

The following are the remaining answers to RLn’s questionnaire first published in our the The primary elections are less than a month away and candidates running for the 35th State Senate District have eight hopefuls running to replace Sen. Steve Bradford, who is termed out after serving two terms.

Highlights of Bradford’s tenure include his authoring and getting signed into law the California Cannabis Equity Act, a first-in-the-nation bill that encouraged equitable participation in the cannabis industry of people negatively impacted by the War on Drugs.

The 35th State Senate District includes the Los Angeles County communities of Carson, San Pedro, Compton, West Compton, Gardena, Harbor City, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lennox, West Carson, Watts, Willowbrook, and Wilmington.

 

Energy rates have also been climbing and are another area in which Californians of every economic class are feeling the pinch. Most of it has to do with infrastructure upgrades and maintenance. What would you do from the state legislature to help the working-class middle-class families on this front?

 

  • Alex Monteiro- I will advocate for 100% green energy and electrification of the district and state. We need to invest in clean and renewable energy that will ultimately be more cost-effective than fossil fuels. We also need to fund state programs to ensure that our working, lower, and middle-class families can afford the current high costs of energy.

 

  • Albert Robles- By fighting the stupidity of some laws: for example, it makes no sense that a multi-millionaire gets the same tax break/subsidy to buy an electric vehicle when they do not need it, and a working-class middle-class family gets the exact same tax break/subsidy but still cannot afford the electric vehicle, and/or even worse are then stuck driving older less fuel-efficient cars because they cannot afford a newer fuel efficient car. We should take the savings from the elimination of the tax break/subsidy for multi-millionaires to buy an electric vehicle and increase the tax break/subsidy for working-class middle-class families so that they can actually afford the electric vehicle. I would also introduce legislation to allow working-class middle-class families to deduct their fuel costs from their state income taxes. In addition, we need to reduce our overall energy demand and while other all candidates may talk about the need to reduce our energy demands, I am very proud of the fact that I led the effort to construct the most advanced water recycling facility in the world, which was named after me, “the Albert Robles center for water recycling and environmental learning” (www.wrd.org). This project not only increases our water sustainability but is 100% energy self-sufficient and because it significantly reduced our dependence on imported water this also made more energy available for other purposes because about 30% of the energy we consume in California is due to moving and delivering water. No other candidate can even come close to how much-reduced energy consumption my direct efforts are responsible for in California.

 

  • Nilo Vega Michelin I would support a progressive fee structure where low-income energy users pay a lower rate than high-income energy users. I would invest more in renewable energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. I would also support tax breaks so that residents can install improvements and smart technology to make their houses more energy efficient.

 

  • Laura Richardson- I recognize the pressing need to address the challenges of rising energy rates, particularly for families across California and in the 35th State Senate District. To tackle this issue, I propose a multifaceted approach focused on promoting energy efficiency, expanding renewable energy options, and advocating for fair utility policies. Firstly, I would prioritize increasing funding for energy efficiency programs tailored to assist low and moderate-income households in reducing their energy consumption and utility bills such as window, lighting, and appliance upgrades. These programs would include initiatives for weatherization, home energy upgrades, and appliance efficiency standards, empowering families to save money while contributing to a cleaner environment. Furthermore, I will push for greater accountability and transparency as it relates to solar costs by users and non-users. Through collaborative efforts and progressive policy initiatives, we can create an equitable energy system that benefits all Californians.

 

Crime is still at historic lows but residents don’t feel any safer. From the state legislature, what would you look to do to change the narrative?

  • Alex Monteiro- I believe we need to share the positive data that shows crime is down while also listening to the crime-related concerns of our community members. We need to work with residents, law enforcement and local leaders to address the crime that is still happening in our communities. I spearheaded the efforts to create my city’s citizen police review board. While I do have the endorsement of my local police association, that is because they know I have worked with them on appropriate reform efforts such as increasing the use of community policing, setting up a citizen police review board, and other ways to hold the police accountable while increasing public trust.

 

  • Albert Robles- As mayor of Carson, I received regular crime stats via my cell, and there is no reason that all citizens should not be regularly sent these crime statistics information directly to them, too. Everyone should be getting this information now.

 

  • Nilo Vega Michelin– I have supported the Formerly Incarcerated Re-Entry Students (FIRST) Program for students at El Camino College. It provides training, support groups, and counseling assistance to students who have been incarcerated. It has a high success rate. I would support expanding this program statewide.

 

  • Laura Richardson- I would prioritize investing in community policing initiatives that foster trust and collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local residents. This involves allocating resources toward crime prevention programs, youth outreach efforts, and community-based organizations that address the root causes of crime, such as poverty, lack of educational opportunities, and substance abuse. Additionally, I would advocate for increased funding for mental health services and rehabilitation programs to support individuals at risk of involvement in criminal activities. By fostering stronger partnerships between communities and law enforcement, implementing proactive crime prevention strategies, and addressing the underlying social determinants of crime, we can work towards changing the narrative and creating safer neighborhoods for all residents and officers as well.

 

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