A Progressive Candidate to Continue the Tradition of John Laird in Monterey and Salinas California Assembly District 27

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Emily Reilly
Democratic Candidate
27th Assembly District

I am a candidate in the 27th Assembly District, and the only currently elected local official in the race, having served two terms as Mayor of the city of Santa Cruz, where I now sit on the city council. During my time as Mayor and on the Santa Cruz City Council I have built a strong record of bringing people together to address critical issues, such as environmental protection, transportation and affordable housing. As an Assemblywoman, I intend to bring that same emphasis on progressive issues to Sacramento – including making universal healthcare a reality.

The truth is that our state’s structural budget deficit is the single largest problem facing the state, because it affects every goal we are trying to accomplish. I am the only candidate who has balanced a municipal budget while also balancing competing priorities. The sensible approach I took with our city budget, judiciously cutting spending when necessary and raising critical revenues, is the kind of approach I intend to bring to my work in Sacramento. As a state, we cannot continue to embrace the Governor's policy of slashing the budget year after year without any attempt to enhance revenues, especially if we are to solve some of our most pressing problems.

Santa Cruz and Monterey counties have been on the forefront of environmental activism for years, and we must continue to lead in the fight to protect our precious coast. State legislation is pending that could undermine coastal protection. SB 1295 poses a dire threat to the California Coastal Commission, which has proven to be one of the most consistent, and in fact only, official protectors of the California coast. If SB 1295 passes and is signed into law, our coastal environment could face sweeping and wide-ranging damage. I strongly oppose this bill, and in the Assembly I will work to protect our fragile environment and battle against the constant, unrelenting pressure to erode our environmental protections.

This includes the fight against global warming. As mayor of Santa Cruz, I am proud to have led the City Council in its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. Last year, I also joined with the County Board of Supervisors and the Chancellor at the University of California, Santa Cruz to sign the Climate Action Compact – a groundbreaking document that will reduce our city’s carbon footprint and bring green businesses to our community. California can be a leader in developing policies that will save our planet, and I will bring my local experience to Sacramento to lead that effort.