The Candidates Speak

Sheila Kuehl, Candidate 23rd District, State Senate

   Mirror: List, in order of importance, the most significant and serious issues facing this district?

   Kuehl: The most important issue facing our district and our State is education, and the key aspect to focus on right now is the need to do everything we can to strengthen grades kindergarten through 12. Ensuring the quality education of California;s young children is the most important thing we can do to take care of our future, in Santa Monica or anywhere else. I think it imperative that we raise the amount spent per child in such a way that we allow greater discretion for school districts to tailor their programs to community needs and to assist principals in seeing that no child be allowed to fall through the cracks. Every child in our public schools must be given the tools and training necessary for that child to live up to his or her full potential.
   The second critical issue facing us as a district is also one that confronts all Californians: the of issue quality, affordable, accountable healthcare. Last year, in California, I was privileged, along with Assembly member Martin Gallegos, to lead the Assembly in our successful effort to secure, for all Californians, the right to sue health insurance companies and, also, access to an independent review of HMO decisions that affect care. This year, I have introduced a bill, AB 1751, that will close a loophole and prevent insurance companies and HMOs from denying consumers their day in court. Unfortunately, many HMOs and other insurance providers have begun to include a clause in their contracts with consumers that forces the consumer to agree in advance to submit any dispute to binding arbitration as a condition for getting healthcare coverage. To me, it's unacceptable that consumers should be forced to waive their rights in order to get insurance. Arbitrators are paid by insurance companies and count on repeat business. There is a clear conflict of interest there.
   As an overall priority, I will fight to see to it that Californians have access to decent healthcare. Every child needs basic check-ups, vaccinations, eyecare and all aspects of preventive medicine. Disabled people need uninterrupted access to those services that free them from dependence and allow them live productive, engaged, full lives. People with mental health disorders need insurance coverage. Notice that all of these aspects of healthcare reform are those that make it possible for more people to participate in all aspects of life, including the economy. Attention to healthcare is not only right, it is cost-effective, saving the state billions of dollars in unnecessary healthcare costs and freeing the productive energy of our people.
   Another key issue for our district is the environment. Santa Monica has two major areas that need attention: our beaches and our mountains. It is imperative that we cleanup the bay and clean up the stormwater run-off that goes into it. As many of you know, the Santa Monica Mountains have been a passion of mine since I was first elected. Last year, I was able to get $10 million dollars into the state budget for land acquisition, to help knit together the series of trails and wildlife habitat that is the Santa Monica Mountains zone. I intend to go on working for wilderness preservation and for wilderness access for people in urban areas who have historically had a hard time getting access to our state parks.

   Mirror: What will you do at the state level to benefit citizens of Santa Monica?

   I don't see a big divide between what's good for Santa Monica and what's good for the state. However, there are some local issues that need attention, housing and transportation in particular.
A state representative must be able to work locally, and one of our key roles is to get all parties to the table in areas where state responsibilities overlap wi th those of other entities. For instance, my office convened the Pacific Coast Highway Task Force, a group of state, city and federal officials, Caltrans, and neighborhood groups to coordinate solutions to PCH's safety and usability issues that leaves no one out of the loop. This is the approach I would take to dealing with transportation issues generally, from redesigning freeways to rapid transit. My style is to make sure that I serve my district while working in a collegial and, I hope, helpful way with everyone who has a stake in a particular issue.
   Affordable housing is the other piece of the puzzle. There are some very exciting proposals on rent subsidies and first time homeowner down payment and mortgage aid that could help to stabilize and equalize housing. 

Mirror: What in your background and experience qualifies you for this office? 

   I have served three terms in the California State Assembly. During that time, I have served as Assembly Speaker Pro Tem where I gained valuable experience in understanding the process by which legislation is passed. I think that experience prepares me to be an effective leader who will serve my district well.
   I also helped lead the Assembly negotiation team during California's historic HMO reform, co-sponsored and helped to pass the bill that reformed our child support collection system, and chaired the special hearings on entertainment in the arts that helped bring to statewide attention the issue of runaway production: entertainment production jobs lost from California to places, such as Canada, that offer better incentives than we do. All of those efforts have given me a strong sense of what issues are key in the state and what specific steps must be taken to improve the daily quality of life here. At the same time, I have played a key role in legislation to secure social justice, fight discrimination and level the playing field in the schools.
   Before I was elected to the Assembly, I worked, as an attorney, on issues of discrimination and family law. The protection of children and families has always been one of my key priorities. My expertise on issues ranging from domestic violence prevention to juvenile justice will be put to use in further protecting our future.