ISSUES
Affordability and Cost of Living
The cost of living in California has reached a point where too many families feel squeezed from every direction. No one should be forced to decide which basic necessity they can afford in a given week. Yet rapid price increases, higher taxes, and layers of costly regulations have put enormous pressure on residents and small businesses alike.
Decisions made in Sacramento have contributed to this problem. Years of excessive spending have fueled inflation, pushing everyday prices upward. At the same time, state leaders continue to introduce new taxes and fees, including increases to the gas tax, which hits working families hardest. These policies have limited opportunity and pushed many to consider leaving California altogether.
Now, California faces an 18 billion dollar budget shortfall, a clear sign that the state’s spending priorities are unsustainable. Despite record revenues in recent years, government spending has far outpaced growth, leaving taxpayers on the hook for the consequences. Rather than addressing this crisis with meaningful reforms, too many in Sacramento propose even more taxes and regulations, choices that would only deepen the affordability challenges facing families and businesses.
Improving affordability means taking a hard look at the financial burdens placed on Californians. That includes reining in wasteful government spending that drives up inflation, stopping unnecessary new taxes, and allowing people to keep more of what they earn. Housing costs also remain a major challenge. Excessive fees and regulations have made building new homes far more expensive, slowing construction and contributing to the shortage of affordable options.
California should be a state where people can get ahead, not fall behind. By lowering costs, removing needless barriers, and encouraging economic growth, we can create an environment where families and businesses have the opportunity to thrive again.
Coastal Protection and Environmental Stewardship
As a lifelong Oceanside resident, I know protecting our coastline is one of the most important issues facing our district. California’s coastal communities are experiencing real and visible impacts from erosion, shifting currents, and the loss of beach areas that families rely on for recreation, tourism, and quality of life. Here at home, these changes have contributed to rocky stretches of shoreline and long-term concerns about the future of our beaches.
Communities up and down the state are working with coastal experts, residents, and policymakers to better understand these challenges and explore practical ways to safeguard both public access and the natural environment. Addressing coastal erosion requires cooperation, science-based planning, and a commitment to preserving our shoreline for the generations that will come after us.
Our coastline is a defining part of who we are. Recognizing the environmental pressures facing our district is essential to protecting our beaches, supporting our coastal economy, and ensuring that the next generation inherits a healthy and resilient shoreline.
Public Safety and Supporting Law Enforcement
Every community deserves to feel safe, and government’s first responsibility is to protect its residents. Families should be able to walk in their neighborhoods, run their businesses, and let their children play outside without fear. That requires a practical, balanced approach to public safety.
Law enforcement officers and prosecutors play a crucial role in maintaining order, and they need clear laws, strong support, and the right tools to respond effectively when crime occurs. Communities also benefit when the justice system is fair, consistent, and focused on reducing repeat offenses.
Recent state policies have created confusion, weakened accountability, and too often prioritized offenders over law-abiding residents. These choices have real consequences for safety. We must return to a commonsense approach that takes crime seriously while recognizing the dignity of every person involved.
Voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36 to strengthen penalties for serious drug and firearm offenses and ensure repeat offenders face appropriate consequences. Yet Sacramento has failed to fully fund its implementation. Ignoring the will of the people
and underfunding key safety measures leaves law enforcement without the resources to keep communities secure. Fully funding Proposition 36 is essential to restoring accountability and protecting Californians.
Supporting law enforcement, strengthening consequences for serious and repeat offenders, and rejecting policies that make communities less safe are vital to rebuilding trust in our public safety system. With empathy, fairness, and practical solutions, we can build safer neighborhoods and a stronger future for all Californians.