Huey to Prioritize Job Creation, Public Education if Elected

Craig Huey, Republican candidate for California's 66th Assembly District, is one of three men vying to represent the South Bay in Sacramento next year. The others include fellow Republican Nathan Mintz and Democrat Al Muratsuchi.

The businessman, who lives in Rolling Hills Estates, responded to a Patch questionnaire about issues facing the district and the state.

Huey ran for former Rep. Jane Harman's seat in the 36th Congressional District last year. Read .

View Huey's 66th Assembly District campaign website here.

Below are answers to a questionnaire Patch sent to every candidate for 66th Assembly District. Questions were chosen from those submitted by Patch editors and readers.

Patch: State your top priorities in your first 30, 60 and 90 days in office, if elected.

Craig Huey: My focus from day one will be turning our state’s economy around and getting Californians back to work. For too long, our state’s economic policies have been driving businesses and jobs out of California. By working toward pro-jobs policies, we can begin restoring the California dream.

Patch: Which of the tax measures on the November ballot do you support? If you want to increase taxes on the rich, what do you say to those who say who contend such hikes discourage entrepreneurship, investment and growth? If you do not support higher taxes or extensions, why not, and what alternative budget balancer do you support instead?

Huey: I do not support any of the tax measures on the ballot. California is already one of the highest taxed states in the country. Thinking we can continue on that path is foolish. The solution to our state’s budget problems is to cut the wasteful, bloated programs within our state’s government.

Patch: When it comes time to balance the state budget, will you negotiate with legislators across the aisle?

Huey: Yes. I am willing to consider any policy that will help turn our state around that is in line with my values.

Patch: Though Gov. Jerry Brown's most recent revised budget for the state does not include any major new cuts to public schools, he warns that if his ballot measures to increase taxes in the fall don't pass, schools will see an additional $5 billion cut. In the meantime, some school districts have passed or are considering bond measures and parcel taxes to shore up local budgets. How would you support public education?

Huey: If education was truly a priority (for) Governor Brown, he would have ensured it was fully funded, and then asked for tax increases to pay for extra government services. Yet, by requiring tax increases to protect education, he’s shown that other programs are more important. As an Assembly member, I will always protect public education and ensure it is fully funded.

Patch: AES Southland officials have said they intend to apply for a permit to build a new power plant to replace its on the coast of Redondo Beach. While officials say the new plant will be smaller, run cleaner and provide power when it's not available from renewable resources, opponents say the new plant would continue to blight the area and double particulate pollution. Two citizen groups aim to put an initiative on the ballot that would rezone the land under the plant to allow a large park and some commercial and institutional usage. What is your opinion on AES' plans for a new plant and the zoning initiative?

Huey: Redondo Beach is the wrong place for a power plant. I’ve suggested a land swap, which would benefit the shareholders of AES, the residents of the South Bay, the environment and the economy of the state of California. AES can build its new power station somewhere else. Hundreds of millions of acres of California land is owned by the government. There are many areas of the state that would welcome a new power station and it wouldn't need to happen on our beaches. For more information on my position, please click here.

Patch: California is showing signs that it’s beginning to dig out, albeit slowly, of the recession. Still, in many parts of the state, jobless rates are staggering, and most residents can’t afford mortgages, even in traditionally wealthier neighborhoods of Los Angeles. What job-creating investments do you support? How do you propose to make California more business friendly?

Huey: California currently has one of the highest tax burdens in the country, burdens businesses with burdensome regulations, and imposes anti-business policies. The legislature needs reverse these policies, curtail aggressive government agencies, and lower the tax burden.

Patch: On social issues, what is your position on same-sex marriage? What about abortion?

Huey: I am pro-life and supported Proposition 8.

This is the second in a series of profiles on candidates for California's 66th Assembly District. Read the first on Republican candidate Nathan Mintz here.