1. Why are you running for state senate?

I’m not part of the political establishment. I’m a local Mayor who is a problem solver – not a partisan. My record demonstrates the courage to take a stand against entrenched special interests. I was the first elected official to oppose the BART strike and support a permanent ban on transit strikes, like they have in New York and San Francisco.

I’m a father of two daughters who have gone through our public schools. We need education policies that put students first and allow local school board to ensure quality teaching in classrooms regardless of seniority.

I support pension reform that creates a sustainable financial model and ends pension spiking. We need to prioritize road improvements I oppose high-speed rail without a sound financial plan because it drains money from local transportation needs.

I’m fiscally conservative. As a local elected official and Mayor, I balanced 10 straight budgets without ever taking a salary. As Trustee of the 23-campus California State University system, I fought for affordable and accountable higher education. I oppose the proposed Delta tunnels.

Our legislators exercise poor financial discipline that contributes to billion dollar deficits and tax increases. They use a loophole so they can receive tax-free income for being in Sacramento on weekends and holidays even when they are not there.

It’s time for smart priorities that focus on education, job creation, the environment and caring for those in need without new taxes.

2. What philosophy would guide your legislative decisions?

I should conduct myself in the campaign and in office with honesty and transparency.

Government closer to the people will be more responsive and trustworthy. Always ask why state legislation is needed rather than leaving those choices to local government, school boards, and commissions.

We should strive for be-partisanship and consensus when ever possible.

A balanced budget and fiscal responsibility is a foundational requirement if you want government to help people.

Always advance accountability and efficiency in every government program.

Education is the gateway to opportunity and prosperity.

3. Would you oppose any new taxes?

Yes. We just increased taxes by $8 Million dollars. Californians cannot afford a government that won’t balance its books and live within its means. And Sacramento cannot continue to look to taxpayers to bail it out from bad decision-making. I will work to avoid new State tax burdens. Fiscal security requires greater focus on creating jobs and growing the economy. The best way for California to pay its bills and keep its promise to future generations is to build a strong economy, which will increase tax revenues.

4. Do you support or oppose changes to Proposition 13?

Oppose. I am committed to maintaining Proposition 13 and the protections from higher taxes that it provides homeowners.

5. What steps would you take to improve education?

We need to continue to invest in our schools and universities. The State Senate plays a critical role in education. It goes beyond funding – which is vital – to creating educational reforms to ensure that each student who attends a public school has an equal opportunity to succeed. There isn’t a one-size fits all solution to improve public education. My priorities include:

• Local empowerment. We need to empower local school boards to lead on educational issues.

• Restore School Reserve protection. We need to restore school reserve protections that were stripped away by the Legislature in a last-minute budget deal in 2014.

• Teacher Accountability. We need to support our teachers in every way possible, while holding them accountable for performance.

• Allow families to select the best schools for their children. I support the ability of families to select the best school environment for their children, be that a public charter school or a nearby public school. I don’t support private school vouchers as they siphon vital tax dollars from public schools.

• Greater educational resources. As a Member of the Senate, I will work to strengthen California’s economy and bring greater resources to our K-through University education system.

• Accessible and affordable higher education.

6. What steps would you take to reduce crime?

I support our law enforcement officers. They are doing all they can to combat crime, but they need adequate resources to do their jobs.

Eleven years ago, in October, 2003, I was shot in the neck by a high-powered pellet rifle while driving with my family. The .17 caliber projectile just missed my carotid artery and lodged next to my spine. The perpetrator was caught but never charged with a crime because pellet guns were classified as toys in the criminal code. I was able to get the law changed to treat these guns as serious weapons.

I have provided critical support to ensure perpetrators of rape are caught and prosecuted, and strongly support victim’s compensation.

One of the expectations of living in a free and civilized society is that citizens follow the laws of the land. Lawbreakers must be swiftly and justly prosecuted.

7. What steps would you take to deal with homelessness?

I would support another affordable housing bond, as well as other legislative efforts to address California’s housing affordability problems.

I have organized campaigns to fund homeless shelters, affordable housing and residences for abused women and foster children.

We need increased state involvement in helping homeless veterans to find safe and adequate housing.

8. Do you support or oppose the Twin Tunnels project?

Oppose. The current plan to build massive tunnels to take Delta water to Southern California does not make environmental sense, and increases the dependence on the Bay-Delta as a water source. We need to protect California’s long-term water availability through recycling, reuse and better groundwater practices.

9. What is your position on AB 60, “driver’s licenses for undocumented workers?”

Licensing and verifying the true identity of all drivers in California, with proper background checks and other security measures, contributes to improved security for all Californians.

10. What is your position on AB 1266, regarding gender confused youth using opposite sex school bathrooms and locker rooms?

I appreciate and recognize the unique challenges and obstacles faced by transgender and gender non-conforming youth, and I support efforts at the local level to protect the rights and safety of these students. I feel that local school boards should be responsible for setting policies to protect the rights and safety of all students.

By John Crowder

State Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, candidate for State Senate in the special District 7 election on May 19th, recently provided answers to ten questions asked by Antioch Herald staff. The questions and her answers are provided below.

1. Why are you running for state senate?

I am the only candidate with a proven record of building bipartisan consensus to get results, both on the state and local level, from balancing budgets, creating jobs, improving schools, fighting crime, opposing the twin tunnels, and protecting our water and the Delta.

2. What philosophy guides your legislative decisions?

As a local Mayor, County Supervisor, and State Legislator, I’ve always focused on bringing people together, Republicans and Democrats, to solve problems. I believe that the principles that have guided my life as a public servant are the reasons why I have been a successful legislator. I believe a successful legislator is someone who is accessible, approachable and trustworthy, who listens and respects others, leads by example, stands strong for their beliefs, advocates fiercely for their community and has the leadership skills to find common ground and solutions especially in tough times. In may of those respects, I believe that my approach to public policy and public service is one of the key differences between me and my opponent.

3. Would you oppose any new taxes?

In California new taxes have to be approved by a two-thirds majority of the legislature or by a majority of the voters. This sets a high bar. For me, the decision is always focused on the need and a cost benefit analysis. For example, like my opponent I strongly supported Prop 30 because our state faced historic debt, and a fiscal emergency after years of drastic budget cuts where education and other vital services were slashed to the bone. Prop 30 was necessary to make our state finances solvent and we made the case to voters to make the ultimate decision.

4. Do you support or oppose changes to Proposition 13?

I have always supported and am 100% committed to protecting homeowners under Prop 13. I could not support any changes to Prop 13 that would put a new fiscal burden on homeowners.

5. What steps would you take to improve education?

I’ve led efforts to modernize our public schools, improve academic standards, and bring more funding to our local schools. For example, I succeeded in bringing more than $3.6 million in additional funding to Antioch schools for technology upgrades, professional development, and new instructional materials. I have passed historic reforms by working with Governor Jerry Brown in changing the state’s education funding formula so that more money would be allocated and streamlined directly into local schools, giving control to local school districts and parents. I want to continue modernizing our schools to ensure our teachers and students have the resources they need to succeed. When our schools perform at high level, we all benefit. I have worked – and will continue to work – to make college more affordable for middle-class families, and I will continue opposing tuition increases at UC and CSU university systems.

6. What steps would you take to reduce crime?

As a mother of four daughters, grandmother, and as an educator, I have always made the safety of our families, children, and seniors as a top priority. I have a proven record of keeping prisoners behind bars, cracking down on child predators, fighting back against gangs and drugs, and protecting seniors from abuse. For example, I have worked to ensure that local law enforcement would have the resources to ensure each officer carries a mobile fingerprint device to keep criminals off our streets. That’s why I have earned the trust and support from law enforcement leaders in Contra Costa County from Sheriff David Livingston and from District Attorney Mark Peterson, and Attorney General Kamala Harris, as well as local police officers, sheriffs, and firefighters who put their lives on the line to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe.

7. What steps would you take to deal with homelessness?

I support the proposal of Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins to address housing instability and create more affordable housing in California, using a comprehensive approach that includes new funding as well as improving government efficiency.

We also must continue to work on core issues like creating jobs and improving job-training programs that help people improve their own lives. At the same time, we must continue to support services like mental health counseling – especially for veterans, who make up a high proportion of those who are homeless, which is why I helped pass the Veterans Housing Bond last year.

8. Do you support or oppose the Twin Tunnels project?

As Mayor, Supervisor, and as a State Legislator, I have strongly opposed the twin tunnels, and have actively worked to stop them. For me, it isn’t just a recent campaign pledge like it seems to be for my opponent. That’s why I have earned the trust and support of key leaders in the fight against the twin tunnels – including Congressman Jerry McNerney and Congressman John Garamendi, as well as local environmental leaders across the district.

I have consistently opposed the tunnels and protected the Delta, but it isn’t enough to just say no. Leadership is standing strong and stopping bad policy, but also bringing people together to find solutions, especially during crisis. I’m proud of my work in protecting our water, and helping pass historic water legislation to protect our local water supply and address the crisis of the drought.

9. What was your reasoning behind your vote on AB 60, driver’s licenses for undocumented workers?

This is a public safety and a consumer protection issue. We need to face the reality that undocumented workers are driving on our streets, roads, and highways, and as such, we need to make sure that everyone on the road, including undocumented drivers, have auto insurance and are fully educated on driving safety, and the rules of the road. That’s good for public safety and for our local communities.

10. What was your reasoning behind your vote on AB 1266, regarding gender confused youth using opposite sex high school bathrooms and locker rooms?

As a parent, educator, and leader, I looked at both sides of this issue very closely, and it is a complex and emotional issue. At the end of the day, this legislation is about protecting vulnerable students, many of whom are being bullied and ostracized, facing physical violence, emotional abuse, and some even turning to suicide.

Public schools needed to do a better job meeting the privacy needs of all students and this bill has moved schools in that direction. The old days of locker room hazing are not something we need to protect. All students will benefit from this bill as schools update their restroom and locker room designs and standards. This bill will result in schools having more single stall self contained restrooms that many students will appreciate.

This issue can’t be ignored, and if we can help children feel valued, save young lives, and protect many, then we’ll have done our jobs. As I have said, I have always put protecting the safety of children as a top priority. This legislation is another step towards that goal.

Local artists welcome you to visit their studios the weekend of May 16 and 17 during the popular Contra Costa Open Studios event. Meet the artists, enjoy a wide variety of original fine art, chat with fellow art-lovers and shop for unique, creative gifts. Many of the artists will be demonstrating their techniques and some will offer hands-on art activities.

Groups of artists are sharing studios in Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley and Discovery Bay. Each group has its own unique personality, so visitors are encouraged to plan a fun weekend of studio-hopping. Most studios will be open Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For a complete guide to the artists and a studio map visit www.contracostaopenstudios.com.

By Allen Payton

A political action committee, JobsPAC, co-chaired by the California Chamber of Commerce, has mailed campaign literature to voters in special State Senate District 7 election, that prominently displays the Sierra Club logo.

The SD 7 race will fill the State Senate seat vacated by Mark DeSaulnier following his election to Congress in November, midway through his term.

Sierra Club California Director Kathryn Phillips released a statement regarding the logo.

“The mailer from JobsPAC to Senate District 7 voters is deceptive,” she said. “It implies that Sierra Club has endorsed one of the candidates for the Senate District 7 seat. In fact, Sierra Club has not endorsed any candidate in that race. The irony is that one of the long-time barriers to environmental policy progress, the California Chamber of Commerce, has used the Club’s logo on its JobsPAC mailing to try to win votes for its favored candidate. Is this the start of a trend? Has the Chamber decided environmental groups are correct after all? Can we now expect the California Chamber to actually support good environmental legislation?”

“I doubt it. But hope springs eternal,” Phillips added.

Sierra Club California is the legislative and regulatory advocacy arm of the Sierra Club’s 13 chapters and more than 150,000 members in California.

In response, Martin Wilson, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs for JobsPAC offered the following statement:

“The mailer’s intention is to make it clear that Susan Bonilla is a typical politician who says one thing and then does the opposite. In this case, during the 2012 legislative session, Bonilla sided with the NRA against the Sierra Club and other environmental and animal rights groups who wanted to ban lead ammunition. Mrs. Bonilla was present and voting that day but when it came to voting for the environment she was AWOL.”

East County residents are asked to participate and give their input

BART officials will hold the first ever telephone town hall meeting and webcast on Thursday, May 7, 2015 from 6:30 pm-7:30 pm to offer the public the opportunity to ask questions about BART’s budget which is currently being developed for adoption before July 2015.

BART’s proposed Fiscal Year 2016 Budget prioritizes efforts to increase passenger capacity, improve on-time performance and station cleanliness, and to address concerns raised by customers in the latest customer satisfaction survey.

BART officials will take questions from participants who call in live.  There is also an online webcast feature that allows you to submit a question in writing during the event and watch along live from a computer. You can also simply listen in if you would rather not ask a question. 

The telephone town hall will include a few quick polls to gauge the public’s priorities and an overview of the planned January 1, 2016, 3.4% inflation based fare increase to help fund new train cars, a new train control system, and a new maintenance facility.

“BART will still hold its official public meeting on the budget at the May 28th Board of Directors meeting at 5pm, but this is an opportunity for our riders to easily reach out to us with questions about the budget,” said BART Spokeswoman Alicia Trost.  “Earlier this year we held a Twitter Townhall and it proved to be a great medium to quickly provide answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.  A telephone townhall is another way to provide easy and convenient access to BART staff.”

BART has a combined operating and capital budget of almost $1.6 billion. The operating budget pays for things like running the trains, buying electricity and making routine repairs. The capital budget goes towards things like buying new rail cars, replacing escalators and earthquake safety retrofits.

Here’s what you need to know to participate:

• Sign up in advance to get an invitation to join (we will ask for your name, phone number and zip code).

• We will call the phone number you provide on May 7th at 6:30pm. Just answer our call to be automatically connected to the live Telephone Town Hall Meeting.

• A Spanish Simulcast is also available by dialing 888-400-9342 at 6:30pm on May 7th.

• If you would rather call into the townhall yourself without signing up in advance you can call 855-269-4484 at 6:30pm on May 7th.

• Finally, you can join our webcast to watch the event at 6:30pm on May 7th.

• Want more details about what is proposed in the budget before the event? Check out this article.

By Corporal Powell Meads, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Friday, May 1st, 2015 at approximately 6:28 PM, Antioch Police Officers were dispatched to a drive-by shooting that occurred at the intersection of “A” and East 19th Streets. The victim was driving with his family (Ages 60, 31, 11, and 7) when they were shot at by occupants of another vehicle for no apparent reason. The victim’s car was struck by gunfire, but no one inside was injured.

The victims provided Officers with a vehicle and suspect description, as well as a direction of flight. Officers in the area located the suspect vehicle parked a few blocks away in a residential neighborhood, and were able to detain several suspects in close proximity to the vehicle. The victims identified two of the detained suspects as being involved in the shooting, and they were taken into custody. The gun believed to be used in the shooting was also recovered.

The investigation is ongoing, and the names of the involved parties are being withheld during the investigation.

Anyone who may has information or witnessed this shooting is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441.

Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover’s Youth Summit is this Saturday, May 9th at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg from 8-4.

Join KMEL Lady Ray and our keynote Speaker Shaun Derik for an amazing day. Workshops will be offered to help the youth find jobs, improving relationships, CPR, leadership, making a difference, having a healthier lifestyle, and video/photography skills are also available. Free breakfast and lunch will be provided, along with airbrush tattoos and manicures. Come see the latest Dance Offs as all Middle through high school students are welcome. You may qualify to receive an All summer Tri DeltaTransit bus pass by just showing up. Again, It’s all FREE. Visit D5YouthSummit.com for more information!

Glover represents District 5 on the Board of Supervisors, which includes a portion of Antioch.