Jose Solorio For Assembly

Inspiration and invention have long grown like wild flowers in California. The result has been great bounty for the people of our great state. We have often been the envy of our country, with our scenic treasures and powerful economy. These days, however, our riches seem to be in jeopardy.

To re-energize our economy, we need to focus on creating jobs, improving our education system, maintaining public safety, and modernizing our state’s water and transportation infrastructure.

The most important thing we can do to grow the economy is to empower employers to create new jobs.

California residents prefer jobs over social services and handouts. Good jobs are valued by individuals and families, and they also serve as economic engines that provide meaningful financial resources that governments at all levels need to deliver essential services.

As an anchor for the American Dream, California’s economy depends on an education system that prepares our young people for high-skill jobs with high salaries.

Education secures the place of our workers in the global economy and helps individuals realize their dreams. California must improve its K-12 education system and continue to invest in its excellent higher education system to ensure a prosperous future.

The integrity of our neighborhoods and business districts, and the peace we enjoy, depends on public safety. Californians need to feel safe to thrive and invest in their communities. As general funds at local and state levels decline, it is important that we ensure public safety is not compromised. We need to prevent and fight crime and we must have enough resources to keep violent criminals behind bars.

Water is our most precious resource. We need it for human survival and many elements of our economy, especially our vital agricultural sector, require a cost-effective water delivery system to succeed. Prosperity for California seeks to ensure that all state residents and businesses have access to affordable, reliable water sources. Several statewide water bond measures are being considered for placement on a ballot in 2010 and Prosperity for California will definitely play a role.

Our quality of life in California also depends on the efficient movement of goods and people. We need safe, uncongested freeways, streets and rail systems to move people and products. One important transportation project under development right now is the high speed rail system that Californians approved in 2008 at the ballot box. This high speed rail project will create high-wage jobs, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and carry 86 million passengers across California each year. This proposed rail, modeled after ones in Europe, would allow passengers to travel from Anaheim to San Francisco in less than three hours for half the price of a plane ticket.