Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 6

I've been a research chemist, and a teacher. After moving to Marin in 1978, I enjoyed working on behalf of Marin's taxpayers on many issues, including the defeat of the ½ cent sales tax, (Measure B on the 1998 Marin County Ballot).

Presently I serve as a director of the Marin United Taxpayers Association, Marin Coalition and am a member of the Environmental Forum of Marin, and Democratic Central Committee, District 2.

I have several compelling reasons for running for this Assembly seat:

1. I believe that gasoline taxes provide ample revenues for road improvements. We are now getting back one-third of the revenues from the 18 cents per gallon state gasoline tax and need a representative in Sacramento who is willing to fight to get back our fair share of this revenue.

2. I have co-authored a consolidation plan for a Regional Transportation Authority which I would like to introduce as a bill to the Assembly to be legislated in Sacramento. This plan will integrate multiple transit agencies and services, eliminate waste, make directors accountable to the electorate, and free up badly needed funds for transportation solutions.

3. The state must remove restrictions on local school funding so that schools have more authority on how they spend these funds. Per pupil spending should be raised to at least the national average by relocation of funds from surpluses and other budgets. We also need funds for training teachers in Reading since 65% of the students in California read below grade level.

4. Proposition 26 is on the ballot. Although I support School Facility Bonds, changing a two-thirds vote requirement to a simple majority violates Proposition 218 which the voters put in place, therefore I urge a NO vote on Proposition 26.

SOME IDEAS TO RELIEVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON 101

1. We need regional efforts to stop sprawl and encourage telecommuting.

2. A transportation model, similar to our Bay Model in Sausalito, would generate data and educate the public about flow mechanics. We now do not have enough information about who travels when and where and what solutions are economical.

3. We should examine express bus service for the Marin-Sonoma commute and compare its cost and benefits to that of light rail.

4. Diamond and HOV lanes have not increased carpooling but have increased congestion and pollution - they should be abolished.

5. I don't think widening 101 in Sonoma by only one lane in each direction will have a significant impact on relieving congestion.

6. I have not seen any feasibility studies on the cost of building and operating light rail from Cloverdale to San Rafael. The question is: would it attract enough passengers and be cost effective?

In solving traffic problems, I believe in spending only money that is available from the gasoline tax and getting the best dollar value for the money spent. In the Assembly, I will always try to act on consensus and will seek the broadest support to find agencies who will work together to come up with realistic plans for public and private transportation solutions.

I need your VOTE. I am the last name on the Marin County Ballot.