League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 6, 2007 Election
	Sid Espinosa Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Palo Alto

The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. In light of the city of Palo Alto's budget deficit, how do you propose to increase city revenues and promote efficiency in city operations?

Our top city priority must be to work aggressively to control costs and increase city revenues. Fiscal responsibility and government efficiency are primary objectives for any city council and must be a constant exercise of audits and reviews. Simultaneously, we must focus on retaining and growing revenue-generating businesses. Specifically, we must focus on (1) prioritizing revenue, (2) improving the ease of doing business, (3) supporting and improving neighborhood centers, (4) encouraging "Destination Palo Alto" and (4) managing city labor expenses.

2. How would you propose to meet Palo Alto's requirements for housing, existing and potential retail, future infrastructure, and city services?

We meet these requirements through comprehensive planning and adherence to that plan. Palo Alto is in desperate need of infrastructure investments. We also must continue providing robust city services. But these two priorities have high price tags and the majority of funds to cover these costs come from business taxes. So, we must stop the exodus of revenue-generating businesses, like car dealerships, hotels and grocery stores. An additional factor is increased housing, which does not generate revenue for the city, but does help us address our significant jobs-housing imbalance. Palo Alto will grow, both in business and housing, but we must do it in a measured, comprehensive manner. This is why we have a comprehensive plan. We must do a better job of adhering to this plan.

3. Does Palo Alto have an obligation to consider regional needs with respect to a growing population, increasing diversity, and the importance of economic opportunity? If so, what proposals and plans would you support?

Yes, we absolutely must work regionally to address community needs. That said, municipalities often have competing interests. Palo Alto and its city council have done a relatively good job, across proposals and plans, of working through regional agencies on issues that will impact the city while focusing on city-specific needs and concerns. I would work hard to find this appropriate balance.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates in this race must limit their answers to 300 words total so that a paper Voters Guide may be published by LWV Palo Alto. After 8 p.m. on Sept. 12 word limits will no longer apply. Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 3, 2007 11:00
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