League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA June 3, 2014 Election
	Hilda L. Solis Answers Questions Candidate for Supervisor; County of Los Angeles; Supervisorial District 1

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

Questions & Answers

1. What steps do you think the Board of Supervisors should take to improve the foster care system and in particular to provide safe emergency or temporary placement for infants and children?

It is clear to me that a great deal of attention and focus is needed to improve the county's child-welfare system. The county child-welfare agency is faced with a number of problems that need to be addressed collectively. It is clear that there are problems when DCFS social workers are burdened with large caseloads, inadequate training, technologies that are not up to date and a need for better coordination with local law enforcement and other agencies charged with caring for our children.

2. The County Supervisors sit also on the board of the Metropolitan Transit District. What would be your top priorities for the MTA?

In addition to the rail system not reaching LAX, another pressing issue is the lack of parking at Metro stations--especially in East L.A and MacArthur Park. The neighborhood of East of L.A. and MacArthur Park has one the highest rates of ridership, however, these Metro stations have little to no space available for public parking. The lack of public parking in these communities inhibits the potential for increased ridership for people living in those areas but who do not live directly adjacent to the Metro stations. As a MTA board member, I would propose to the MTA board that the issue be investigated further to assess opportunities for expanding stations to include public parking. I also will focus on the construction of the Gold Line extension to Pomona, and expanding MTA service in the San Gabriel Valley.

3. Do you support the creation of an independent oversight commission for the Sheriff's Department?

Transparency and accountability reform are key to turning around our Sheriffs department. While protecting the civil rights of all, we must also ensure that our law enforcement has the proper training and opportunities within the department in order to provide the highest standards service possible. I will work closely with the Inspector General and watch closely the reform efforts. I would like to see the recommendations by the commission fully implemented and then reassess and measure progress. I would support a citizen's commission that would provide public input and greater accountability + ideally a commission that has statutory authority.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' answers are presented as submitted.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: April 2, 2014 17:44
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