senior-spectrum.com

Candidate: Lorraine (Abner Zurd) Fontanes
Ballot Designation: Film Maker
Party: Democratic

1. What do you consider the most pressing issue facing California’s senior citizens?
The healthcare crisis.

2. Do you favor or oppose amending the rates of the following taxes:
Property tax
State income tax
Vehicle license fee
Gas tax

I can't single out any line item in the budget right now since I am just beginning to go through all 2249 pages. But I feel that we must literally examine all expenditures and taxes and be open to new ideas on both inflow and outflow. When you try to take things on piecemeal you get the sort of fiscal shenanigans that we had this year, borrowing money to "balance" the budget and tripling the car tax in one year which could be onerous to households that can't just triple their incomes to match.

3. Do you favor or oppose putting new restrictions on older drivers?
I think that if we properly enforced present laws, we'd probably catch most problem drivers. Awareness and encouraging families and seniors to deal with this most delicate issue are the keys to a humane, respectful solution.

4. When putting together the state budget for the next fiscal year, would you change current levels of funding for any of the following programs:
In-Home Supportive Services
Adult Protective Services
SSI/SSP benefits
Foster Grandparents Program
Brown Bag Program
Senior Companion Program
California Commission on Aging
See answer to question 2 above.

5. If elected, how will you improve California for seniors and all other residents?
I hope to improve California by dealing directly with the fiscal crisis. I feel that an improved economic picture floats all our boats.