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Jill Martinez, Congressional Candidate, CA-24

1. What is your position on global climate change and the roles of both our nation and our local community in addressing it?

I stand with experts in the field who believe climate change is a reality based on global warming. Global warming will ultimately make the earth uninhabitable. Life as we know it will be changed forever. I commend the work Al Gore has completed and appreciate the recognition he has received that has brought such attention to the issue and international commitments to do something about it.

I believe global warming factors are multi-faceted and can be attributed to breaches in our protective ozone layer, many of which, are human-made, and can be slowed. We must work immediately to eradicate these conditions and allow our world to return to a sustainable eco-sphere for human habitation.

Local: continue to educate our communities about the issue and set forums for every way in which individuals can respond to the concern. We must commit to recycling everything, changing to energy efficient light bulbs, using cloth shopping bags, changing personal methods of transportation to walking, bikes and car-pooling. The list goes on and on. There are many things all of us can do immediately. We must advocate for energy efficient mass-rapid transit systems including rail, water options and developing and using vehicles that rely on alternative energy sources. We all should be endorsing and supporting the 2030 challenge to commit to building using materials and design zero-carbon emission building standards.

International: Expand efforts to build alliances around the world to reduce emission standards. Set standards on packaging; actually fine corporate polluters and use the funding for re-investment into Green Technologies and industries, for starters. We must find ways to use solar energies that can be stored and used by other consumers; these kinds of research efforts should be prioritized and funded. This is a huge topic and is volumes all in itself, but, this is where my commitment lies.

2.What solutions do you favor for addressing the economic and social strains that illegal immigration creates?

Immigration needs to be viewed as a national security issue so that as we come to resolution, our plan will be funded and implemented. Let’s make sure our ports borders are protect; let those already come out of the shadows, pay a fine and any back taxes, a background check should be completed for public safety, and those that need to learn English should do so. In regard to economic and social conditions, first, we need to address and educate our communities on the real economic benefit of the hard working immigrant community. Research quickly shows that the financial benefit out weigh deficits. I am aware there is currently more than $40 billion on the books that immigrants have paid into our social security and Medicare programs from which most will gain no benefit; we need to discover ways, if possible, to access those funds.. Additionally, there has been an MOU, Memorandum of Understanding, between Mexico and Canada to address health benefits for immigrants from Mexico for more than 30 years. We need to identify those countries that already have “best practices” in place and adopt those plans that seem most appropriate for us. In regard to overcrowding, our jurisdictions must enforce local laws involving code enforcement. Again, I must add, however, that, on the large part, when I encounter hard working, immigrant families, I find values that should be cherished and shared in our communities. For instance, functioning extended family relationships are stellar; I would propose more of us adopt the work ethic of those immigrants living here for years and those just arriving. Most often, I am honored and humbled when I witness the trust and respect that is shared within the community for those in leadership. Loyalty is a value almost negligible in many of our dominant culture communities; it is just the opposite in immigrant communities. Even large corporations know how this works and they know once immigrants become clients or consumers of their products, they will have a treasure to mine. This is another gift that comes tour shores when immigrants choose us over all other countries. We really do have the greatest country in the world. We should handle it with care.

3.What solutions do you offer to the American health care crisis?

My first priority is to get SCHIP passed so that our children’s health care needs are met ASAP. (Gallegly voted against it.) A universal health care system is a must, single payer, preferable. We can either have a system much like our Medicare system that is publicly funded and costs only .03 cents on the dollar to run; or a form of nationalized health care. I intend to work with Rep. John Conyers on his bill HR 676 as a real option at the national level. However, we may end up with a nationalized system that would be a hybrid of a public/private partnership.

4. Is your sense that the majority of CA-24 oppose or support the continued American military presence in Iraq?

Most Americans want to get out of Iraq, but I believe there is a large number of people in the District who argue about how to go about it. Protecting our troops and knowing that genocide is a possibility once we leave should drive us to put coalitions together much like those defined in the “Responsible Way to End the War in Iraq,” document. I believe educating communities on what our options are with help to get the public will needed to end the war, withdraw the troops, and enlist protocols that will prevent it from happening again. Finally, I would bring attention to the website www.globalexchange.org, an organization that is made up of 50 retired Admirals and Generals where many can be educated about realistic solutions.

5. Are insecure voting machines a concern of yours?

Somewhat. We have a great elections office here and paper ballots that were mandated by our Secretary of State are always a great preventative measure. However, it always lurks in the back of my mind since machines themselves can be manipulated once out of the supervision of our elections offices.

6. Many residents of the Ojai Valley are concerned about the sustainability, health, and safety of regional mining operations asserting increased industrial trucking routes on our small highways and surface streets. How will your office advocate for us?

The Ojai Valley is a precious natural resource for our County and our Nation that must be protected. Expanding roads in the region should not be an option. I would expect to work with those businesses that help to facilitate the project safely always keeping in mind the sustainability and health of the neighborhood.

7. The Ojai Valley’s public schools are in a budget crisis. What are your positions on the state budget and value of public education?

Over the past several weeks I have been out in the District, campaigning with those protesting these cutbacks throughout the District. Education must be valued and also looked at as a National Security issue. Our economy flourishes with an educated populace. The Secretary of Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez, maintains these records and monitors outcomes. The recent summit in Washington D.C. on Competition helped to educate others on these issues and acted as a call to leaders in commerce across the nation to combine forces and increase outreach efforts in this regard. Public education is a key factor to get everyone educated to become entrepreneurs and facilitate commerce. As I have been endorsed by the California Teachers Association, am a product of a public school system, and have taught in public schools my commitment to education is evidenced.

8. In Ventura County, wildfires are an annual threat. What solutions do you envision to make our communities emergency-ready?

I have been addressing this issue for three years, since the last campaign. I have been able to link with professionals in the field and have one option that can be addressed immediately on the Federal level. I believe we need to increase efforts in rapid response. Right now we must stand in line to rent a fire suppression plane located in Canada. We must have a plane located right here in our District. We have two underutilized air strips, one at Vandenberg Air Force Base and the other at Pt. Mugu. Each base is strategically located at either end of the District. We would need a local, public/private partnership to get the needed funding. We will need $5 million dollars in total to purchase our own plane and work to facilitate maintenance and storage costs. I believe $2 million can be raised locally within the District from private donors, then, $500k each from Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties; then, turn to the Federal government for the remaining $2 million. I think we can do it with this kind of local support. This is just the beginning to protecting our local National resources reserved for the whole country and the world.

9. The transportation sector contributes congestion and pollution to our region’s commerce, tourism and environment. What solutions will you promote?

Several years ago I traveled with several others to Curitibe, Brazil (named the “environmental city” of Brazil), to research best practices in landfill reclamation, transportation, and recycling. The systems we found there were quite advanced using ethanol cars and buses; bi-articulated, electric busses that were used for mass-rapid transit with public/private business partnerships that function seamlessly. We have a lot to learn from other countries. But, I believe we can implement some of these practices quickly. Bi-articulated busses use dedicated lanes; great for distances between our counties. These systems were already put in place by former Mayor Richard Reardon in Los Angles. I have been working with the Downtown Organization in Ventura as we seek transportation and parking options for visitors and tourists. We need to address rail and port options within our county and intra-county. “Walkable” communities must be a priority and we must use bikes more often with bus stations in our downtown areas as was put in Santa Barbara’s downtown. With a concerted effort, we can let viable options emerge once we accept that alternative energy sources must be promoted and research in the field accelerated.

10. What do you love most about the congressional district for which you seek office?

I absolutely love the diversity of the District. I am a high energy, intelligent, creative person that can easily see potential in every direction I turn. I see the under utilized Air Bases in the District and small airports unable to be expanded; I see under-developed communities, like Lompoc, that should have a thriving tourist industry; I see an agricultural community that is struggling without even adequate representation. When I travel throughout the District I am told that I have a vision for the District that is contagious. Rather, we have a person who has held this office for almost 22 years who is disengaged. He does not seem to have our District needs at heart and votes “lock step” with the current administration. He must be confronted with reasons for his votes and held accountable for future commitments. We have, for way too long, been ignored.

Issues surrounding our forests, streams and lakes should be addressed immediately by the Department of Interior. Why are we not getting the attention we need when our lakes are being destroyed by foreign mussels; why don’t we have a more adequate fire suppression system for the District; why are our schools closing, while people are losing jobs and delinquency and crime increase? Why does our current Representative in office vote against options that can help two cities that “book end” the District, Oxnard and Santa Maria, who are in the top five cities in the country named as cities in foreclosure crises? He does not appear to be aware of the issues and evidently, does not want the job. I want this job! I will be accessible and accountable. I can envision the work that needs to be done and I have the experienced leadership to make things happen locally, regionally and nationally. It’s time for change!