Ahead of the March primary, The Orange County Register 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: Dave Obrand
Current Job Title: Deputy County Counsel, Orange County
Political Party Affiliation: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: None
City where you reside: Tustin
Campaign website or social media: www.obrandforassembly.com
Gov. Newsom has been front and center lately in global affairs, from a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing climate action to a trip to Israel where he met with victims of the Hamas attack. Aside from the governor’s trips, what do you see as the role California should play when it comes to foreign affairs?
California is a top-five economy in the world with some of the most innovative industries and companies headquartered in the state. While the difficulties here at home are the primary priority, California has the ability to influence global and national politics. By pursuing priorities of equity, workers’ rights, healthcare and environmental protections, California can set a standard for other states and nations to follow.
This is not a political message — California has not only an ethnically diverse population but because of its population size, California also represents an incredibly diverse political population. That is especially true here in Orange County. With that sort of influence, it is incumbent upon the leadership of California to participate in foreign affairs for the benefit of all Californians and, as a result, of the world. I am proud to have been born and raised in this unique and influential state.
There have been recent efforts at the local level to change voting requirements — from a proposed voter ID requirement in Huntington Beach to an effort to open up voting to noncitizens in Santa Ana. What changes, if any, should be made to California’s voting laws?
I am in favor of greater participation by all eligible voters in California.
That means, first, automatically registering all citizens at age 18 who are not barred from voting. Of course, anyone can opt out of registration or otherwise not utilize the privilege. I also believe strongly that the policies enacted today will affect our youth the most so lowering the voting age to 16, when our high schoolers begin to drive and enter the workforce, is appropriate. They pay taxes; they should have a say in how that money is used. Also, there should be a clear pathway to reinstate voting rights for former felons who have served their time and are now contributing members to our society.
The latest state budget projections show California’s deficit has swelled to a record $68 billion, leading to calls for spending cuts. Give us two specific ways California could address the deficit.
– Ensure the wealthy and large corporations pay their fair share of taxes, including imposing a wealth tax on the top 1% who have built fortunes on the work of their employees.- Focus on building our green/clean energy infrastructure to create jobs and boost the economy as well as to make a clean energy transition seamless and ensure those working in traditional fossil fuel industries have a natural transition to similarly good paying jobs when California does transition to clean energy.
Speaking of the budget, what are your top three budget priorities?
– Improve funding for public education and ensure all public schools have adequate resources for students to thrive.- Ensure everyone has adequate healthcare coverage which will not put them into bankruptcy if they are injured or become sick.- Ensure the wealthy and large corporations pay their fair share of taxes.
The legislature garnered national headlines when an effort to increase penalties for child sex trafficking initially stalled. How would you, in the legislature, balance criminal justice reform with public safety concerns?
There needs to be a move away from improper incentives for policing and incarceration, primarily eliminating private prisons which prioritize profits over service.
Second, and specifically with regard to policing in our communities, there needs to be a change to how law enforcement agencies report data; it must be made consistent and mandatory across all agencies. Due to the fact that agencies provide data only on a voluntary basis, the best efforts to address both agency and citizen concerns on law enforcement can only be so certain. With mandatory reporting, experts can better assess current issues and propose changes that directly address them.
Lastly, I believe in tremendous transparency and accountability for all public service agencies, but especially for the leadership. I propose community/police oversight boards that review certain misconduct and agency management issues while being mindful of protecting personal information to protect officers against any unnecessary risk.
Homelessness continues to be a concern for Californians. While there is no simple solution, what is one proposal you have that could reduce homelessness in our communities?
I am a big proponent for social housing initiatives that would provide subsidized housing for mixed-income families and individuals. I prefer this approach to traditional affordable housing initiatives that often are only built in already underserved communities and limit the options for people who move into them. Social housing, on the other hand, will provide housing for a wider range of people from different socio-economic backgrounds and should provide a pathway to creating housing options in more communities and provide residents access to more opportunities and services.
The governor recently signed a law that set a first-in-the-nation minimum wage standard for healthcare workers. Should minimum wage standards vary by industry? Why or why not?
Yes, varying industries should have different minimum wage standards. This recognizes the truth that some industries may pose greater risks to workers and that workers in some industries depend on that work for full-time careers versus part-time work. Nonetheless, I believe the minimum wage should be standardized at a minimum to allow a person to afford the costs of daily living and rent for anyone who works 40 hours per week.
What is one environment or climate policy you’d champion if elected?
I am focused on building the infrastructure for future energy transition, including building out a sufficient electric grid as the state moves away from fossil fuels. This not only will make the transition to clean and renewable energy more seamless, but it will also create more jobs and bolster the economy.
What is one capital improvement project you’d like to see financed and completed in your district?
I would like to improve public transportation and establish a comprehensive light rail system connecting all parts of Orange and San Bernardino counties to the business hubs in central Orange County and the Chino Valley. With the Santa Ana Streetcar project well underway, it is important to capitalize on the opportunity to expand clean public transportation.
The state recently began rolling out the CARE Court program in some counties, the state-funded effort that allows first responders, family and other designated people to petition a court to have someone with untreated severe psychotic disorders receive treatment and services. What other ways can the state prioritize mental health care for its residents, including those with less severe disorders?
Mental health is severely under-addressed in our current healthcare model. The state must mandate that health insurance cover mental health to the same extent as physical injuries. This includes preventative care wherein medical providers recommend mental health screenings when an issue is suspected.
Similarly, training should be provided to teachers to identify potential mental health disorders in their students for assessment. Teachers should also be trained on strategies to support students who exhibit behaviors consistent with mental health. By identifying and treating mental health early in life, students will be better equipped to thrive after they graduate. Finally, police should be further trained on how to address calls involving people with mental health and funding should be reallocated so that mental health professionals and/or social workers respond to appropriate mental health-related emergency calls so that proper support can be referred and provided.
Describe your political philosophy in 10 words or less.
Lead with principles. Work hard. Do good.
What is your go-to campaign trail snack or drink?
Sweet and spicy beef jerky, always.
