Voter Guide: Where do SLO County candidates for California State Assembly stand on issues?
The primary election is just around the corner, and four candidates are competing for two seats to represent San Luis Obispo County in the California State Assembly.
Nipomo shares District 37 with Santa Barbara County, while the rest of San Luis Obispo County falls into District 30 with parts of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.
In District 30, broadcast journalist Dalila Epperson is challenging incumbent Dawn Addis for the seat.
Epperson, a Republican, previously unsuccessfully ran to represent District 19 in Congress. Born in North Carolina to a military family, she now lives in Monterey.
Addis, a Democrat, is running for her second term in the State Assembly. She previously worked as a public school teacher and served as a member of the Morro Bay City Council.
In District 37, retired business analyst Sari Domingues is challenging incumbent Gregg Hart for his seat.
Domingues, a Republican, lives in Santa Maria. She served as an analyst for Monterey County before she retired.
Hart, a Democrat, lives in Santa Barbara. He previously served on the Santa Barbara City Council and then on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.
Voters will have a first chance to weigh in on the races during the March 5 primary election, but because there are only two candidates in both races, all the candidates will progress to the November general election. That’s when voters will officially select their representative.
The Tribune sent the candidates a survey asking about a variety of issues — from how to develop affordable housing to their position on the state’s budget deficit. Some responses have been edited for length or clarity.
Here’s what they said:
District 30: Dawn Addis vs. Dalila Epperson
Who are your top 3 campaign contributors?
Addis: Campaign contributions are capped by state law, so there are a number of friends, colleagues, labor unions and business groups who have given maximum contributions to my campaigns.
Epperson: Frank Wagener, Joseph Guastamachio and Michael Hogan.
What is the most important issue facing your district today?
Addis: The rising cost of living is putting a strain on family budgets, whether it is housing costs and rent, groceries and transportation or health care and higher education. In the State Assembly, I’m working to curb these rising costs and relieve pressure on family budgets. As a teacher and a parent of college-aged children, I know that the costs of higher education can be high. Many schools don’t have enough student housing, and students are forced to rent apartments at market rates, further reducing the supply of affordable apartments. That’s why I authored AB 358, which the Governor has since signed into law, that cuts red tape and makes it easier for California Community Colleges to quickly build the affordable student housing we need. There are innumerable steps we need to take to curb costs and improve affordability on the Central Coast, and I am determined to continue down that path.
Epperson: Power grabs through legislation such as anti-parental rights laws, economically distressing small businesses with over-regulation, constraining our police force which is leading to higher crime and making our streets unsafe and debilitating our working men and women with high taxation for green energy programs. I will work across the aisle to author bills that will repeal those regulations for the benefit of all constituents.
What policies are needed to increase affordable housing in your district?
Addis: We need more housing near jobs and economic centers. In some places, that means greater density of all types of housing — from affordable apartments to multi-family houses and small single-family homes. In other cases, we need to do more with our existing housing footprints. One challenge that we don’t discuss enough is the high cost and rising demand for residential care facilities for the elderly. California’s over-60 population is growing faster than any other age group, and some seniors face challenges living alone. The demand for assisted living options is growing and so is the cost. I authored a new law, AB 839, that aims to create more supportive housing for seniors by extending low-cost financing options to residential care facilities. This legislation will help lower the costs of housing for seniors, add more options and keep existing facilities open. Additionally, we also need to increase opportunities for home ownership, especially for young people. This is why I co-authored bills like AB 519, which created the Affordable Housing Finance Working Group.” Finally, I also helped secure funding in 2023 for cities to combat homelessness and supported efforts to give local governments the tools they need to create affordable housing (ACA 1).
Epperson: Policies that do not interfere with the rights of individual property owners. Policies that do not raise taxes or result in more ‘subsidies’ which equates to taxpayer costs.
What is the primary cause of homelessness in your district and how can the state better address it?
Addis: The evidence from state and county level data tells us that job loss, housing costs, medical issues, addiction, mental health challenges, incarceration and domestic violence are all major drivers and critical factors in homelessness. Often these factors exist in combinations that both cause people to lose their home and keep them unhoused. I believe that the problem that has tipped our state over the edge and caused precipitous increases in homelessness in the last several years is our lack of affordable housing. Solving that problem is an urgent focus.
Epperson: Substance abuse and mental illness comprise the majority of homelessness. There are multiple programs for them and due to the nature of the abuse or illness, that must be enforced so that they can become successful in society once again. That’s true assistance. What we’ve been doing is enabling them to continue with their abuses and illness and the result is what we are seeing through out our state. We’ve compounded their issues. Those who are homeless through hard economic times have great programs to assist them get back on their feet already. I should know, I was once a divorced single mom and had to utilize welfare for a short time to get back on my feet. Obviously I was successful. If one wishes to get back on your feet, the programs are already in place.
How would you support working parents while in office?
Addis: My husband and I have been working parents our children’s entire lives, and now I am doing that while commuting from Morro Bay to Sacramento. I grew up with a single working mom. Many of the challenges — such as lack of childcare — have existed for decades across the Central Coast. These issues are coupled with high costs of living including housing, utilities and other expenses. I am working to expand quality, affordable childcare and bring the cost of living down for the millions of hard-working families across California that are trying to make ends meet. I am championing legislation to lower utility costs and create more transparency for ratepayers. Last session I fought to expand paid family leave, raise the minimum wage for healthcare and fast food workers, and increase senior and student housing. The Central Coast is expensive enough, and I am committed to helping working families thrive, not just survive, here.
Epperson: When we deregulate businesses, we help the economy because it allows capitalism to thrive. This allows the working man and woman to retain more of their paychecks. This is how we truly help working parents with no strings attached.
How should the state legislature address the $68 billion budget deficit?
Addis: I strongly believe in fiscal responsibility and accountability. California should not run large deficits while our economy continues to grow. This particular shortfall is, in large part, a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and revenue challenges coming out of that time. It’s critical that we bring our spending in line with our revenues and ensure that we are on a sound footing for the future. That means making tough decisions. Right now we are in the early stages of budget conversations that will turn into more in-depth negotiations in the coming months. Everything needs to be closely considered — this includes new legislation that may have a cost, programs that haven’t been checked recently for efficiency and effectiveness, non-essential spending that may need to be delayed and a whole host of other areas that may not have been examined lately. I’ve always looked at the budget as representing our values, so I am focused on protecting important gains we have made for the Central Coast’s children and families. California’s economy is dynamic, strong and well-positioned to grow in the future. I’ll be working to keep our budget balanced while making the investments we need.
Epperson: Deregulate, deregulate, deregulate, and allow the small businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive. This will entice other businesses to come back to Cali as all these regulations have created a black hole in our economy since business owners can’t leave fast enough. Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the backbone of America. But other larger businesses will see Cali as a lucrative place to do business, which now they do not because of all the regulations.
Do you support Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1?
Addis: Yes. Constitutional Amendment 1 will allow city and county governments to build affordable housing, shelter and long-term supportive housing for people struggling with homelessness and mental health challenges. We desperately need more housing that is specifically targeted to help the people at risk of homelessness or already homeless. I believe that ACA 1 has the potential to make a difference.
Epperson: No! This will gut Prop. 13 that we are all benefiting from since 1978. Prop. 13 keeps our property taxes lowered to a point of affordability. If ACA 1 is passed, only the very wealthy will be able to afford their homes since it will allow a simple majority to raise taxes. Right now, Prop. 13 states a 2/3 majority only can raise property taxes.
What are key ways the state can better manage its water resources in light of climate change?
Addis: Climate change is already putting pressure on Californians. We experienced this first-hand with last winter’s atmospheric rivers that wreaked havoc across the Central Coast and came after years of historic drought. The best science available tells us that these events are going to become more frequent, severe and lasting. Our state’s infrastructure was designed and built for last century’s climate, but the infrastructure we build going forward has to be ready for the next century’s changes. In other words, we not only need to catch up to the new normal, we need to prepare for what’s coming. We have to drastically increase our ability to reclaim, capture and store water, including wastewater, rainfall and aquifer recharging. It is essential that we invest in water recycling, efficiency and conservation. Moreover, we need to ensure we prioritize access to clean water, especially for rural and underserved communities.
Epperson: We must build more dams and we must maintain our current dams, which we do not. A desalination plant would also end all concerns of water just as it did for Israel. The floating wind turbines proposed to be placed in our Cali coastal waters also show it will warm our waters, which is the opposite of what we should be doing.
District 37: Gregg Hart vs. Sari Domingues
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Domingues: “anta Barbara Republican Party, San Luis Obispo Republican Party and CA GOP.
Hart: Robin and Roger Himovitz, Bob and Victoria Hazard and California State Association of Electrical Workers.
What is the most important issue facing your district today?
Domingues: Education; I will create bills to stop the curriculum and work with state education to help reform our public schools.
Hart: I believe the three most important issues facing the district are the overall increase in the cost of living, defending women’s rights and protecting our environment. The stress to the region’s economy since the COVID-19 pandemic is only now beginning to subside. Increases in the cost of living remain a front-and-center issue for families in our community. I have worked to ensure our local communities continue to receive the funds needed to provide essential services for public safety, fire protection and our public schools. This term in Sacramento, I will work with my colleagues in the Assembly to address any further threats and restrictions to safe and legal abortion services. California must continue to be a safe haven for quality reproductive healthcare and abortion services. The Central Coast is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world. I have consistently been a champion of enacting sound, practical environmental regulations and I will continue to prioritize ways that our state government can protect our air and water and preserve farmland.
What policies are needed to increase affordable housing in your district?
Domingues did not respond to the question.
Hart: During the last five years, the state has passed several laws that prioritize building new homes, including affordable housing and accessory dwelling units. The implementation of these policies at the local level gives a community certainty regarding where new and affordable homes will be proposed. I will work hard to ensure that any new housing development is required to include a significant portion of affordable housing in its makeup and that the State Water Board verifies that new projects have adequate water sources as to not deplete the region’s aquifers. We must also respect the character of neighborhoods and ensure that we are thoughtful in planning for the future. Most of all, we must ensure that the people who work in our communities are able to afford to live here.
What is the primary cause of homelessness in your district and how can the state better address it?
Domingues: Homelessness is a complex issue. Primary cause is drugs and mental health. It needs to be a collaboration between multiple resources.
Hart: Homelessness is a complex issue with no single solution. The combination of economic stress, mental health and substance abuse challenges, and an absence of appropriate re-entry housing creates the conditions for sustained homelessness. State and local governments must interrupt these conditions with a whole-of-government approach. We must especially target populations that are over-represented on our streets, including veterans, foster youth, vulnerable seniors and people involved in the justice system. The state must continue to support the development of sites with temporary housing and comprehensive wrap-around services, while also investing in long-term housing options.
How would you support working parents while in office?
Domingues: By making sure we have plenty of secure jobs with good wages. Also, work on our economy to help their wages go further.
Hart: For 20 years, I owned and operated a childcare center with my family. Today, the center is operated by Storyteller Children’s Center. I appreciate the critical role that childcare plays in the healthy development of our kids. The legislature made progress in this area last year. The legislature passed a budget with a record investment in childcare, allowing for a roughly 20% pay raise for state-funded childcare providers. The legislature also provided additional funding for training and retirement benefits for our state-funded childcare workforce. An investment in our workforce is an investment in additional childcare spots. The state has also supported the ramp-up for transitional kindergarten to be offered for all 4-year-olds by 2025. This year, as the state experiences a significant budget shortfall, I will work with my colleagues to protect the progress that we are making in expanding access to childcare and early education.
How should the state legislature address the $68 billion budget deficit?
Domingues: Cutting back on programs by prioritizing their importance.
Hart: Addressing the budget shortfall anticipated by the Legislative Analyst’s Office will be a challenge. Fortunately, last year’s budget established the largest budget reserves in state history and the governor has proposed applying $18.8 billion in reserve funds towards this year’s deficit. I believe it is appropriate for the Assembly to consider spending adjustments to a wide range of programs, deferring or delaying new initiatives that have yet to become established throughout the state and certainly take a hard, critical look at any new spending. Successfully managing a deficit of this size in one year is going to be difficult. California law requires that the state must pass a balanced budget and over the next six months, the legislature will work with the Governor and identify a final plan. The budget that the legislature passes and the Governor signs will affect every facet of state and local government, including a wide range of housing programs, regional planning grants, education and healthcare programs. This is going to be a tough process. However, it is one as an elected official that I take seriously and acknowledge the responsibility to address the state’s budget in a thoughtful and professional manner. I am going to work to prioritize our region’s needs as we close the budget deficit.
Do you support Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1?
Domingues: No.
Hart: I do support ACA 1, which will be on the ballot in November. This ballot measure by itself will not approve any special taxes or bonds or lead to the construction of new housing or public projects. It does propose to lower the vote threshold for local special taxes and bonds to fund affordable housing, transportation and other public infrastructure projects from two-thirds to 55%. This is the same threshold required to pass bonds for school renovations. The proposal also mandates additional accountability requirements, including annual and independent audits of how money is used, and the establishment of citizens’ oversight committees to track spending. I support ACA 1 because local governments are under enormous pressure to address the backlog of building new law enforcement and fire safety buildings, upgrading roads, parks, libraries and water and sewer facilities. I believe that ACA 1 provides the most accountable, transparent method in California for delivering important, new infrastructure, which is a priority for every community.
What are key ways the state can better manage its water resources in light of climate change?
Domingues: By creating more reservoirs and ways to keep water in our basins by good drainage.
Hart: Climate change and the state’s increased thirst for more water has stretched the ability of the State Water Project and local water jurisdictions to deliver enough water for its urban and agricultural customers. The state and our local water agencies now must look for new ways to generate more water sources, conserve and store even greater amounts of water and plan for these weather events — flood, drought and reduced snowpack — that impact every resident in the state. Agricultural users effectively manage their water consumption every day by using better application techniques to minimize evaporation and over-watering while carefully considering the crops they grow. Water agencies throughout the state, including San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, are looking to reclaim more wastewater and either use recycled water to offset drinkable water on landscaping or inject that water into the groundwater basin and ‘bank’ it for later use. Recycling water is perhaps the most cost-effective and most environmentally beneficial technology. Some coastal regions are considering more desalination projects to derive fresh water from the sea. Many local jurisdictions are minimizing outdoor landscaping for new residential and commercial development. Additionally, storm water collection has the potential to capture vast amounts of rainfall that runs off pavement and other surfaces. This water can be captured and used for irrigation or re-injected into the groundwater basins and could help boost California’s water supply. These are all actions California can take to both generate additional water and better manage its existing water resources around the state. Working on broad solutions now and not relying on a single answer will help the state better plan for future shortages and address the impacts of climate change on our natural resources.
