Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide
Name: Lena Gonzalez
Current job title: State Senator
Political party affiliation: Democrat
Incumbent: Yes
Other political positions held: Long Beach City Council (2014-2019)
City where you reside: Long Beach
Campaign website or social media: https://votelenagonzalez.com/
It’s no secret that California will play an outsized role in AI development and regulation. That was a big topic for the legislature this year, but what is one way you’d like to see the legislature tackle concerns about bias or transparency in the AI space or encourage innovation and start-ups? (Please be specific in your response, and keep your answer to 200 words or less.)
I am proud that the 33rd Senate District has become a hub of innovation in the technology industry, attracting start-ups, established businesses, and jobs to our communities. Long Beach, in particular, has successfully created a home-grown technology industry that is dynamic and thriving. However, any new technology creates social and regulatory challenges, and AI is forcing us to confront issues around intellectual property, bias, privacy, and transparency. My belief is that our legislative and regulatory approach has to be thoughtful and carefully applied. I want to make sure that any regulations we create are designed to help protect Californians and prevent unintended consequences long into the future, not just to react to the news of the day. This session I introduced legislation, SB 1216, to create the Deepfake Working Group, to study the risks, impacts, and legal implications of digital deepfakes and the broader issues of digital content provenance. Legislation like this is an important first step to creating a meaningful and effective structure that encourages innovation while protecting ordinary people.
Before California voters this year is a proposition to increase the state’s minimum wage to $18 per hour, the nation’s highest, by 2026. Do you support increasing the minimum wage in this way? Why or why not? (Please keep your answer to 150 words or less.)
Yes. Inflation has dramatically outpaced wage increases, particularly at the lowest level of wages. The lowest income earners are making relatively less, and they are also the people least able to afford the rising costs of groceries, housing, and everyday goods.
This year, California faced a large budget deficit that put a strain on lawmakers’ ability to fund certain programs and projects going forward. What is one thing you believe the state should do to avoid such large deficits in the future? (Please be specific in your answer, and limit it to 150 words or less.)
COVID-19 placed unique strains our budgets, and the state budget was no exception. Fortunately, the state of California’s economy remains very strong, and I believe that we can close the gaps we currently face by making some smart, if difficult, short term budget decisions. In the long run, I believe that we need to do a better job of ensuring that the wealthiest Californians and the largest corporations are not exploiting our state while avoiding their obligations to give back. Companies have long relied on the talents and training of graduates from California’s universities, among the best in the world, while they dodge the taxes that pay for public education. Those same companies rely on infrastructure built by taxpayer dollars and sell their products to Californians, but they play games with banks and balance sheets to avoid paying what they owe in taxes. I sympathize with working people who often pay a higher effective tax rate than some billionaires in this state. Fairness, equity, and justice demand that we do better.
Speaking of the budget, there are multiple proposed bond measures before voters this year. Is the state in a good place to issue bonds for state programs and infrastructure projects? Should certain programs or projects be prioritized over others? (Please be specific in your response, and keep your answer to 200 words or less.)
Investing in infrastructure is usually the right decision. And in the case of infrastructure aimed at climate change, I believe we have no time to waste. If you look at the most successful economies in the United States or in the world: you’ll see that the government made smart, long-term investments in infrastructure that fueled economic growth in the decades ahead. Public transportation, public education, public utilities, public health, and public building projects put money back into the economy in the form of jobs, and create the framework for future prosperity. Driving around the 33rd district, you’ll find that almost every job is connected to public infrastructure and public services. From a Longshoreman at the Port of Long Beach to a school teacher in South Gate, from a nurse at a public health clinic to an attorney in the courthouse, all of those jobs and services are possible because of public investment. Much of our infrastructure dates back to the WPA era, and it is aging rapidly. Climate change is forcing us to rapidly invest in our energy infrastructure in ways we never anticipated. These investments cost money, but they are an investment in our future and our children’s future.
Cost of living is high on the list of concerns among voters, particularly among younger people. What is one bipartisan proposal you have to alleviate concerns about high prices or the cost of living in California? (Please be specific in your response, and limit it to 200 words.)
There are a few. First, I am committed to tackling the housing crisis California faces. The cost of buying a home or renting an apartment are simply out of control. I have supported a slate of bills in Sacramento to try to create more affordable housing for working people. Progress is slow, but I do believe some of these policies will make a difference. The young people I know are dispirited, and many have given up hope of being able to afford a home in California. This is simply an unacceptable failure, and I and many of my colleagues are working to fix it.
Second, I believe that improving and revitalizing the Port of Long Beach is good for local businesses, workers, shoppers, and the state of California. Investments in infrastructure and efficiencies that allow goods to move more quickly through our port complex will lower transaction costs and reduce supply chain bottlenecks that have contributed to rising costs.
The legislature this year considered recommendations from a first-in-the-nation task force that considered how California could atone for past racism and discrimination against Black people, including potential compensation. What do you believe is the role of the state in atoning for the atrocities committed against Black people? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
Black Californians have endured generational trauma that California has now rightfully, apologized for. Addressing the atrocities of the past should not be political. I urge every Californian to do their part and understand the history, learn from your neighbors, realize the many successes of Black Americans and commit to doing better in the future.
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently ordered state agencies to remove homeless encampments on state property and urged cities to follow through. What else do you propose the state do to help eradicate homelessness? (Please limit your response to 200 words or less.)
We need to create real pathways for people to become permanently housed; that is the only solution. Last year I secured $2 million from the state to support homeless services in Long Beach. We need more mental health infrastructure, substance abuse treatment, and health care services, but more than anything else we need affordable housing. I am going to continue to do everything I can to build housing that will get people off the streets and prevent people from falling into homelessness in the first place.
Similarly, Gov. Gavin Newsom has urged county leaders to take advantage more of a new state law that makes it easier to place someone with severe mental health or substance abuse issues into conservatorships, an effort to keep more people out of homelessness. But local leaders in Southern California have said they need more time and resources to build, fund and staff more mental health facilities. Is there anything the legislature could — or should — do to aid communities struggling to find the resources to properly provide this type of mental health support? (Please be specific in your answer, and limit the response to 200 words or less.)
Yes. The lack of mental health workers and facilities is a problem up and down the state—this is a challenge that every community is facing. That is exactly the type of issue that is well suited to state action. I am open to a range of policies on this topic—from increasing investment in mental health worker training at our public colleges and universities to helping fund local mental health clinics and facilities.
What’s the No. 1 song on your playlist while you’re on the campaign trail?
Planet Earth by Duran Duran
This post was originally published on here
