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: Laurie Davies
Current Job Title: State Assemblymember
Political Party Affiliation: Republican
Incumbent: Yes
Other political positions held: Laguna Niguel City Councilmember and mayor (2012-2020)
City where you reside: Laguna Niguel
Campaign website or social media: www.DaviesforCA.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?
I believe California does lead the way when it comes to environmental protection. California has stepped up its efforts to combat issues like coastal erosion. Our state has the opportunity to be a leader in this space for countries worldwide who are dealing with their own environmental challenges. Furthermore, as the fourth-largest economy in the world, we have a global responsibility to ensure our business environment here can help attract and lure international companies to bring jobs to our communities. Economic investment brings opportunities for California residents.
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 believe reforms need to be common sense and practical. Let’s start with cleaning the voter rolls on a consistent basis so people who no longer live in our community aren’t sent ballots. Furthermore, I think it is reasonable to ask people when they vote in person to present a valid form of identification. You have to show an ID when you buy products like alcohol, yet no requirement when voting for president of the United States. It’s a common-sense step.
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.
If you look at the report given by the Legislative Analyst Office, it estimates the state has about $8.6 billion in one-time temporary spending that can be halted in various programs. So I would start there. This step partners with looking at the excessive costs of some of the bills the governor has signed recently and temporarily halting those needed to be implemented.
Additionally, we should give serious consideration to auditing many of the state agencies and the existing programs that require continuous funding. If there are programs that can be temporarily halted, serious thought should be given to that option. Taxpayer money should not be funding antiquated or useless programs or services.
Speaking of the budget, what are your top three budget priorities?
First and foremost, given that we are in a budget deficit, I’d love to see audits done on what state programs and agencies are living up to their potential and what ones can be repealed or reformed.
Next, I’d like to see more funding for coastal erosion programs administered by the state Parks and Recreation Department. Our coastline isn’t getting any bigger and we must act prudently to ensure we save our beaches and sand.
Additionally, I’d like to see more funding for more enforcement of the Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS). This program helps law enforcement take away illegal firearms from people legally deemed a danger to themselves or others.
Lastly, I’d love to see more funding for behavioral health resources, such as attracting more providers to our state.
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?
I believe the two are one and the same. If we increase penalties for heinous crimes, like human trafficking, you make our communities safer since those criminals are no longer roaming free. In addition, if we start giving more help and resources to those convicted of drug crimes, we keep our communities safer since we are helping people fight their addiction. Less users means less demand. Let’s punish the dealers and give treatment to users.
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?
The first thing we have to do when it comes to the homelessness crisis is to keep people in their homes who are most at risk of losing them. Take, for example, the renter’s tax credit. It has not been adjusted in years, yet rents have skyrocketed due to inflation. In Orange County alone, the average rent price is $2,590 a month. In the legislature, I have co-authored many bipartisan bills, such as SB 843, that try to improve and increase the amount for this credit.
If you want to go further, let’s reduce the red tape needed to even build homes. All the permits and filing fees deter developers from even wanting to build in our state.
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?
While I do believe our healthcare workers are unsung heroes in our communities, I do not believe we should start setting wage standards by industry. It should not be up to the governor or legislature to determine which set of workers do more or mean more to a community. I am all for pay increases for hard-working professions like our police, teachers, firefighters and healthcare workers. However, let’s make them across the board increases, not singled out.
What is one environment or climate policy you’d champion if elected?
Coastal erosion is an issue near and dear to my heart. Our community thrives off tourism and the economic revenue it brings us. If we lose our precious beaches and sand, what becomes of the small businesses that rely on those dollars to survive? Or what happens to city programs that need hotel tax revenue to help clean our streets or improve our infrastructure? This year, I authored and passed AB 882 to ensure local agencies and nonprofits can get expedited grant funding from the State Coastal Conservancy specifically for coastal erosion mitigation projects. The time to save our coastline is now.
What is one capital improvement project you’d like to see financed and completed in your district?
As a former member of the Orange County Transportation Authority, I know firsthand how much railroads and lines mean to us. My office has worked closely with both OCTA and the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency to help find a solution to the environmental challenges the rail faces in San Clemente. This stretch of railroad is not only critical for transporting goods and services, but many people in Orange County use this option to travel along our coastline for work or quick trips. At the state level, I have advocated and worked with legislators from both parties on budget requests to help get this issue fixed.
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?
When we talk about mental health, the first thing that needs to be made clear is we have a severe lack of mental health professionals available in our state. I think one thing we can do is help increase the number of mental health providers available to our residents. Many states allow telehealth options for providers in other states with similar educational backgrounds or licenses to see patients in neighboring states. However, California regulations hamper this. We need to make it as easy as possible for residents to see providers, even if it is through remote options.
Since COVID-19, we have seen a rise in mental health issues in every age demographic, but specifically high in our teens and young adults. Allowing this group greater access to professionals is in the state’s best interest.
Describe your political philosophy in 10 words or less.
An independent voice bringing common-sense solutions for California.
What is your go-to campaign trail snack or drink?
Trail mix.
