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: Ricardo Ortega
Current job title: Peer Advocate
Political party affiliation: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: Youth Commissioner, County of Los Angeles
City where you reside: Quartz Hill
Campaign website or social media: www.ricardoortegaforassembly.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 excited about the future of AI, and what it will mean for California, but I’m concerned about the risks for consumers, and think that now, while AI is in its infancy, is the time to make sure that we look ahead to protect the private data, including images, art, and work, of Californians. We also need to make sure we have enforcement tools in place to insure that people are protected.
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.)
Putting it before the voters is probably the best way to do this. There is no doubt that Californians are struggling in this economic climate, so put it before the voters, give them information from sides supporting it and opposing it, and let the voters decide.
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.)
The state, and the country, faced huge challenges the last 5 years as a result of Covid. From the depth of the pandemic, to national supply shortages, record unemployment, high interest rates and energy prices have all contributed to California’s budget woes. California should always plan for disaster, and make sure are reserves are there to pull us through. It won’t necessarily see us all the way through a once in a century pandemic, but we need to be prepared for a big earthquake or fire season.
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 think the best people to answer these questions are the voters of California. In my opinion, public safety should always be the states top priority.In this economy, putting anything on the ballot that increases the cost of living for Californians is a hard ask. I have faith the voters in my district will be looking at the bond measures and their pocketbooks, and voting for what makes sense for them and their families.
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 would look to ways to reduce the cost of building low and moderately priced homes in the state, because reducing the cost of living begins with stabilizing our housing market.Car insurance rates also skyrocketed in California in the last year, and we need to look at consumer protections that can protect against unfair rate hikes, not just for insurers, but also for utility companies. Protecting and advocating for the people in our district should be out first priority.
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.)
This is a really tough and divisive subject for a lot of people, but it is one where I also believe California could lead the nation in navigating this by allowing for a real conversation about the states history, not only in atoning for atrocities against Black people, but addressing the states history with Black, Brown and Indigenous people.
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.)
The state needs to keep the pressure on city and counties to follow through, but without also providing substance abuse and mental health services, they are just going to be playing what amounts to whack-a-mole with the problem, ultimately pushing homeless encampments into the less populated areas where services are already stretched to the limit.
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.)
You cannot place someone in a bed that does not exist, so the state should help with the funding, that that funding must also include hard deadlines and progress reports to insure that local governments are using any state funding responsibly and actually meeting program goals. Expanding mental health and substance abuse services is way overdue, as well as expanding the conservatorship laws to get people the help they need to keep them off the streets, now we just need to follow through with local governments to make sure it happens.
What’s the No. 1 song on your playlist while you’re on the campaign trail?
Up, by Forest Frank and Conner Price
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