Candidates’ Views on Issues

Antonio Villaraigosa and Bill Mabie, the front-runners in the 45th Assembly District’s June primary, both say that crime, education and economic development are the top three issues facing the area.

CRIME

* Both candidates oppose the recent “three strikes and you’re out” bill signed into law by Gov. Pete Wilson, which aims to put those convicted of three violent or serious felonies behind bars for life. The candidates say that the state cannot afford to build the prisons to house the additional inmates, and that the measure is likely to fill the prisons with nonviolent criminals.

“Don’t get me wrong, I think we need to put away violent criminals,” Villaraigosa said. He added that he supports a less-restrictive measure that would only target three-time violent offenders.

Mabie said he, too, would support a less-restrictive law. “I do believe that if you have committed three violent offenses, you should be removed from society,” he said.

Both also support boot camps for juvenile offenders, provided that the facilities have rehabilitation and education components. Both oppose legislation that would allow youths younger than 16 to be sentenced as adults if they are convicted of violent crimes.

One issue on which the two candidates differ is the death penalty. Villaraigosa is opposed; Mabie supports it.

EDUCATION

* The two candidates say more funding is needed for public schools to increase the amount California spends per student; the state currently ranks 42nd among the 50 states. But they differ on how that money should be raised.

Mabie says that he personally supports a 1% increase in the state income tax to help fund the gap, but adds that he would only vote in favor of higher taxes if residents in his district approve. He said he would hold community meetings to gauge residents’ sentiments.

Villaraigosa advocates limiting bureaucracy spending to 5% of a school district’s total expenditures to save money. He also favors closing tax loopholes for banks and oil corporations and diverting the revenue that would be generated to schools.

The candidates also differ on one of the most contentious education issues in the district--the proposed construction of a new high school in the Temple-Beaudry area. Villaraigosa supports the site proposed near Belmont High School, and Mabie favors a site in Mid-Wilshire.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

* Both candidates say they would try to lure more light manufacturing businesses to the area and increase public works projects.

“The best way to stimulate the economy and create jobs is to invest in public infrastructure,” Villaraigosa said.

If elected, Mabie said, he would introduce legislation mandating local hiring goals for the billions of dollars in public works projects financed by state bonds. “If a good chunk of that were directed for local hiring, we would see a lot of people get jobs,” he said.

Both candidates say they support investment in alternative-fuel technology as a way to spur the growth of local businesses that would develop to support the clean-air industry.