ISSUES

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Affordability and the Budget
 

I hear from families every day who are struggling with the rising cost of housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation. At the same time, our state is facing an eighteen-billion-dollar budget shortfall that threatens the services people depend on, especially education and public safety.

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To make real progress, we must take a serious look at how government spends money. Too many programs receive large amounts of funding year after year even though they no longer accomplish what they were created to do. These programs waste tax dollars and fail to deliver meaningful results. I will work to lower burdensome taxes and fees that support these failing efforts and redirect resources toward programs that are effective, accountable, and transparent.

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Making life more affordable also requires increasing the supply of housing, and that begins with meaningful reform. I support responsible development that creates homes people can truly afford, and that means addressing the outdated and overly complex California Environmental Quality Act. CEQA is too often used as a tool to stall or block needed housing rather than protect the environment. Bipartisan collaboration will be essential to reforming CEQA so local communities have the ability and flexibility to meet their housing goals.

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Top-down mandates from the state do not work if local municipalities lack the tools, resources, or authority to meet them. When Sacramento imposes requirements without providing a workable path to success, it handcuffs local leaders and slows or stops housing progress altogether. I will push for reforms that empower local communities, streamline approvals, and enable cities to build responsibly without unnecessary delays.

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My approach to affordability is rooted in common sense. Government must live within its means, cut waste, reduce costs, and give communities the ability to build the housing residents need. I will work across the aisle to create a responsible and balanced budget that protects essential services, lowers unnecessary costs, and helps families build a stable and secure future.

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Education
 

My life was shaped by strong schools, dedicated teachers, and mentors who challenged me to lead and serve. I believe every child deserves access to a high-quality education, no matter where they live or how much their family earns.

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Too many students are falling behind in reading, math, and science. I want to refocus our education system on the fundamentals, strong standards, and real-world skills, not distractions or political agendas. I support curriculum transparency so parents can clearly see what is being taught and how resources are being used.

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I believe families should have meaningful choices, including both public and private options, so that resources follow the student rather than a large system. I also support strong partnerships between schools and parents, safe and respectful campuses, and more opportunities for families to take part in their child’s education.

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My decades of involvement with youth programs, from St. John Bosco High School to the Boy Scouts of America, have shown me how essential it is to build character, leadership, and responsibility in young people. My approach is practical and balanced. Keep what works, fix what is failing, and always put students first.

 

Public Safety 

 

I spent my professional life in law enforcement, and that experience has shown me how essential it is for communities to feel safe, supported, and heard. I have worked in patrol operations, investigations, training, and specialized teams, which gives me a clear understanding of what is required to keep people safe while upholding the rights and dignity of every resident.

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I know that when laws are written without input from people who have actually worked on the front lines, the result can be confusion, weaker accountability, and policies that make neighborhoods less safe. I will insist on clear, enforceable, and fully funded laws that give officers the tools and training they need to protect the public effectively and ethically.

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I believe in bringing together public safety professionals, community leaders, and colleagues from all political backgrounds to create balanced and smart policies that reduce violent crime, address repeat offenders, and support prevention, diversion, and treatment where appropriate. My goal is simple: communities should feel safe, and officers should have the community trust and support needed to do their job well.