Hannah-Beth Jackson, State Senate, District 19 - KCOY Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo - News

Hannah-Beth Jackson, State Senate, District 19

Party/Affiliation: Democrat
Current Job: Educator, Antioch University

Top 3 Priorities if Elected:

CREATING JOBS AND DRAWING BUSINESSES TO CALIFORNIA AND THR CENTRAL COAST

Our future economy depends on creating new good-paying jobs in California. We need to make the Central Coast even more appealing to businesses by continuing our investment in education to provide a well-trained work force, as well as continue to lead the way in innovation with our top-notch research institutions. We need to encourage and work with our start-ups and innovative companies to ensure that they have the resources and well-educated and talented workers necessary to build their businesses into vibrant, high-paying and successful employers. Education is the best investment we can make. In the Central Coast we are fortunate to have UCSB, a world-class research institute, two top-notch CSU's and numerous community colleges to provide the training for the workforce of tomorrow.

FUNDING EDUCATION 

As a former local small-business owner, I know the hardships facing many small-businesses throughout the state. We need to create incentives for small businesses to operate and invest in local job creation. I will help develop programs that provide a support network for small business owners to deliver everything from collaboration on successful business plans to loans and startup capital. Nothing is off the table when it comes to ensuring we have thriving local economies throughout California.  We must recognize the importance of capital; generate predictability, reasonable guidelines, and regulations that support business while protecting our quality of life and community values.

FIXING THE STATE BUDGET 

In order to invest in California and be able to fund education as well as other vital programs critical to the long-term success of our state, we need to first fix the state budget. I want to work with all members of the Legislature to come up with effective solutions to California's ongoing budget crisis. Long-term solutions require serious structural changes. We need a balanced approach of targeted cuts and revenue increases that will provide more predictable income to the state. We need to close tax-loopholes that have allowed multi-national corporations to avoid paying their fair share. We also need to make the wealthiest Californians pay their fair share by restoring the upper income tax bracket. We must also seriously evaluate where we have top-heavy management structures that should be streamlined over the long run, identify and remove duplication and waste.  In addition to cutting waste and streamlining processes, we need to end tax loopholes that reward companies for taking jobs out our state.