"Policy Statement"

The application for the Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellowship, one of three California Capitol Fellowships I have applied for (see previous post) requires applicants to respond to the following in a one page, double-spaced, minimum 12 pt. font policy statement.

"California is facing three major demographic changes in the coming decades: significant population growth, especially in rural areas; increasing diversity, particularly in younger age groups; and a rapidly aging populace as a whole. These population shifts have important implications for the kinds of investments the state needs to make in infrastructure and services. If you were elected to the State Assembly, how would you allocate the state's limited resources to meet California's growing and evolving needs?"

That is a lot to tackle in one double-spaced 12 pt. page. Here is my response:

Policy Statement

Given the demographic changes California faces in the coming years, the state’s limited resources must be allocated very carefully in order to meet the demands of a growing and evolving populace. This growth will be concentrated in rural areas, among a more diverse and younger age group and in an aging population overall. To meet the needs of these major areas of population growth there are three general areas in which investment would not only help to alleviate the specific issues those groups face, but also benefit the state as a whole.

The State Assembly must find a means to establish some kind of healthcare reform. Although Medicare and Medi-Cal are currently available, it is notoriously inadequate. Healthcare reform that brings everyone into the coverage pool will reduce costs and allow for improved preventative care helping all Californians live longer, healthier lives. A comprehensive medical care reform package would ultimately save the state untold dollars in reduced medical care costs from a healthier and more productive population.

California used to boast the best public education system in the world. As a result, California can claim to be the leader in so many other areas: A leader of industry and innovation; one of the world’s largest economies; the nation’s leader in agriculture and a host of other accolades. All can be credited to a public education system that was second to none. It’s time California returned to a commitment to public education that is inclusive and comprehensive. If California school children have the best education available, California will have the best educated adults.

To address the needs of a growing rural population, transportation must be given the closest scrutiny. Although many of these needs can be financed by developers and the like, the state must be very clear on the planning of current and future needs in regards to roads, making public transportation a key element. Prioritizing the transportation needs of an expanding rural population will help all Californians in regards to cleaner air and less congestion on our roads.