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: Suzette Martinez Valladares
Current job title: Small Businesswoman
Political party affiliation: Republican
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: State Assemblymember 38th District
City where you reside: Acton
Campaign website or social media: suzettevalladares.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’m concerned with how AI will impact kids, jobs, and also authenticity. There are also tremendous opportunities created by AI. I want to see the Legislature partner with AI experts, entrepreneurs and others to understand the technology and its application.
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.)
Prices on food, goods and services have skyrocketed – every family is feeling that pinch. Artificially manipulating wages is not the solution and will increase costs on everyone.
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.)
We need more parity in the Legislature. One party rule is bad for everyone, no single party should have as much power as is wielded in Sacramento. That said, I would specifically eliminate empty budget bill vehicles that are often not vetted through the normal budget process. That would be step one.
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.)
I am an advocate for our first responders and making sure they have the resources that they need to do their job. That is a priority for me. We can spend our monies better and I believe we ought to do that as step one.
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.)
I have published a Cost Savings plan on my website – suzettevalladares.com/tax-cut-plan/. This includes adjusting the homeowners tax credit for inflation from $7,000 to $200,000. We can make healthcare costs tax deductible, and tax holiday for Back to School items including clothes, supplies and technology purchases.
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.)
I think California certainly ought to acknowledge past racism and discrimination including against Native Americans, Latinos, Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Empire and others. But I also want to acknowledge the great things California, and in a great sense our country has done for freedom and liberty for all peoples.
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.)
During my time in the State Assembly, I helped secure funding for local shelters serving families and women. I think we need to look at the different causes of homeless and address each uniquely. I support providing the authority and resources to local law enforcement to rid the streets of the criminal element amongst the homeless population. We need to be able to take the bad guys off the streets and get treatment for the others struggling with addiction or mental health challenges.
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.)
For years Governor Newsom has ignored the homeless issue leaning on failed program in order to score political points. Governor Newsom cannot treat all local communities the same – their experiences with homelessness are different. What we need to do take money from these unsuccessful state programs and instead assist local programs that are on the ground, working tirelessy to get people off our streets.
What’s the No. 1 song on your playlist while you’re on the campaign trail?
The Champion by Carrie Underwood
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