With the Special Election to fill the vacant 7th Senate District seat in full swing, EastCountyToday spoke with Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla to discuss issues facing East Contra Costa County.
Bonilla, who is vying for the job, finished in the top 2 in the March Primary carrying 24.9% of the vote. Her opponent, Steve Glazer won the primary with 32.8% of the vote.
Bonilla and Glazer look to replace Mark DeSaulnier, who won a seat in Congress replacing George Miller. The special election will be held on May 19, however, absentee ballots have already been mailed out.
In our interview, Bonilla clears the air on false information being put out against her, her stance on Prop 13, crime, the delta and jobs. She also says her opponent has been given $3 million from a Southern California mega developer and other special interest to elect her opponent.
Bonilla noted that her money comes from people she represents which are everyday people such as teachers, police officers, firefighters, and blue collar workers.
Why do you want to be our next State Senator?
I have dedicated my life to public service as an educator, Mayor, County Supervisor, and now State Assemblymember. Service to one’s community is a value I hold dear and one that I have passed on to my daughters, two of which are classroom teachers.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve my community and accomplish so much positive change on issues ranging from education to the economy, the environment, and public safety. Those accomplishments are the direct result of bringing people together and building consensus to solve problems. That is the type of leadership that Sacramento needs and the type of leadership that delivers results.
I am the only candidate with a proven record of building bipartisan consensus to get results, both on the state and local level, from balancing budgets, creating jobs, improving schools, fighting crime, opposing the twin tunnels, and protecting our water and the Delta. It would be an honor to continue that work in the State Senate.
What bills are some of your proudest you have had pass while in the Assembly?
I helped pass Governor Jerry Brown’s historic pension reform to save billions by capping benefits, increasing the retirement age, and ending abuse in the system.
Helping turn our state’s budget around. When I first came to Sacramento, I inherited a budget deficit and fiscal crisis of historic proportions. I’m proud to have helped deliver the first on time balanced budget in a decade and a rainy day reserve fund that helps save for the future.
Providing the funding to implement the new Common Core standards that modernized the curriculum in our public schools to better prepare students for college as well as give them the skills in areas like math and the sciences needed to compete for jobs in the global economy. I was able to provide over $10 million to East County students and teachers, for new instructional materials and professional development. I will continue to advocate for more funding for our local schools.
And I eliminated the outsourcing of taxpayer-funded jobs from going overseas and ensured that over 200 jobs were created locally, by ensuring Contra Costa was named as the host of the health insurance exchange call center.
How will you work in the Senate to help provide tools for local police departments in East County to fight crime?
As a mother of four daughters, grandmother, and as an educator, I have always put the safety of our families, children, and seniors as a top priority. By building bipartisan coalitions, I have built a proven record of keeping prisoners behind bars, cracking down on child predators, fighting back against gangs and drugs, and protecting seniors from abuse.
For example, I have worked with Democrats and Republicans to ensure that local law enforcement would have the resources to ensure each officer carries a mobile fingerprint device to keep criminals off our streets.
My bipartisan approach is why I have earned the trust and support from law enforcement leaders in Contra Costa County: from Sheriff David Livingston and from District Attorney Mark Peterson, and Attorney General Kamala Harris, as well as local police officers, sheriffs, and firefighters who put their lives on the line to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe.
What are your thoughts on Prop 47? Should it be repealed and replaced?
Prop. 47 was passed by California voters on the November ballot, so the key question is how will Prop. 47 be implemented. It’s critical that we bring Legislators, peace officers, public safety leaders, and other key stakeholders together to ensure that Prop 47 implementation is done in such a way to minimize any risk to public safety, while diligently working to ensure that those released are effectively integrated back into our communities as productive citizens.
Just like any other policy, its important that we find legislative solutions to problems with this proposition. The bottom line is that keeping our neighborhoods safe is priority number one.
Where do you stand on the Delta Tunnels Project?
I have a long history of strongly opposing the Delta Tunnels project not just in my words, but with my actions. As a County Supervisor and State Assemblymember, I have partnered with state, local, and federal leaders, to stop construction of the twin tunnels. I stand with the thousands of East County residents, businesses, and elected leaders who believe that the project will not only jeopardize our local water supply, but also be damaging to our local economy and the long-term environmental health of the Delta.
Are the drought restrictions by the Governor fair to Northern California who has conserved water but are now forced to make up for Southern California lack of reductions?
The drought is a serious and real, and I have real concerns that a Southern California billionaire, who the press has called a “real estate mogul”, has spent over $1.3 million dollars to elect my opponent and attack me with false information.
I am the only candidate with a proven history and a public record, stepping up to address the water crisis through landmark emergency legislation in 2013-14, and again this year.
Everyone needs to do their part to conserve, but we need to hold Southern California accountable for their water usage and ensure that Northern California is not making these sacrifices in vain.
What can be done better at the State level to help bring better paying jobs to East County as well as Contra Costa?
I have a unique understanding and experience as a public both on the local level as Mayor and County Supervisor and also at the state level as a State Legislator and put those experiences to action to problem solve and deliver for our region. To be most successful, we need to bring stakeholders together and build consensus with a holistic approach that includes improving our schools, job and workforce training, small business tax relief, streamlining regulations and cutting red tape to make it easier for small businesses to grow, investment in infrastructure, public safety, and incentives for businesses to relocate. The State Legislature has enormous impact over all these areas and as State Senator I will bring together the stakeholders at the local and state levels and the business community to find real solutions.
In the State Assembly, I have consistently made economic growth a top priority.
I led the successful effort to modernize the curriculum in our public schools by passing the Common Core standards. Now, a greater focus will be put on math and the sciences, and students will be better prepared with the skills needed to compete in the global economy.
As a County Supervisor and State Legislator, I have helped expand, create, and protect job-training programs that give workers the skills for good jobs in growing fields like health care and technology.
I’ve delivered funding to improve East County infrastructure including the work on ebart, the expansion of Highway 4, and other construction funding for our roads and highways.
As Chair of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee, I have passed critical legislation that provides small businesses that create and keep jobs in our region with tax incentives, streamlined regulations to promote new business growth, and created incentives for businesses to relocate to our region.
In the State Senate, I will continue to be a leader on all of these issues. I am the only candidate with a proven record of creating jobs and bringing together state, federal, and local leaders to create meaningful solutions that move our community forward.
What have you done to help support our veterans? What else would you like to see done to further assist them?
I have done more to help veterans and make a positive impact on more veterans than my opponent, that’s why so many veterans are supporting my campaign — because I take action and get results. Some examples include my legislation that was signed into law that guarantees funding to the Veterans Service Officer Fund, to support county veterans’ services that play a vital role in connecting veterans with critical resources.
Another example is through the passage of the Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Act that cut red tape and bureaucracy to free up $800 million in bonds that had previously been approved by voters but were not being utilized. Now, over $800 million in bond funds can go to help California veterans at the local level.
These are two examples of how we can achieve positive results impacted tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands of lives by bringing together stakeholders at the state and local level to focus on solutions
Can you clear the air on rumors about your stance on Prop 13?
Prop 13 provides homeowners with vital protection from rising property taxes. I am 100% committed to protecting homeowners under Prop 13.
The false attack ads are funded by the Southern California mega developer and other special interests that have spent nearly $3 million in total so far to elect my opponent. They’re deceiving voters and using scare tactics to hide their true intent, and will say and do anything to achieve their special interest agenda.
East Contra Costa Fire Protection District has a funding problem based on Prop 13. Should the state look at Prop 13 re-allocations for rural fire districts across the state to get updated funding since they are no longer rural?
Yes – we must look for careful technical solutions that protect local taxpayers while ensuring public safety.
In this campaign, there are a number of false rumors being said about your by your opponents campaign. Is there any that really sticks out to you that are untrue? Care to set the record straight?
I’ve tried to keep focused on the issues that effect Contra Costa and Alameda families, and I ran a 100% positive campaign in the primary, even though I was attacked repeatedly and voters were bombarded with misinformation about me. Because the stakes in this election are too high, I had to set the record straight and not let Los Angeles billionaires and mega developers dictate who should represent our community.
For example, these developers and my opponent himself have attacked me falsely on pay raises: to be clear, I have never voted for a pay raise for myself. In fact, the opposite – I took a voluntary pay cut as a County Supervisor and took another pay cut in the State Assembly.
I am one of the hardest working legislators in California, and have always been a hard-worker – as a working mom back when I was a teacher, and now as a Legislator where I work 7 days a week, splitting my time between my legislative responsibilities when I work 10-16 hour days in Sacramento, and when I work even harder in the district. I am paid approximately $90,000 a year – no state car, no pension. Just like all the other Legislators in the Senate and the Assembly from the Bay Area, and like the Members from the Central Valley and Southern California, I take a per diem that helps to pay for my housing and cost of living in Sacramento. I could not afford to represent our community without a per diem, and this per diem pay was established generations ago so that we would have diversity in Sacramento and not have a Capitol filled with only the rich. Allowing more diversity in our representative government is a hallmark of our democracy, and I think it is shameful that my opponent has attacked me over this because he isn’t just attacking me in doing so, but rather he is perpetuating the culture of corruption in the past when our legislature was controlled by the rail road industry and land barons.
I can understand why someone who’s made himself rich by representing mega-developers and polluters would be able to afford to refuse these per diem reimbursements for living expenses – but I am confident that Contra Costa and Alameda families see right through this attack.
For more on Susan Bonilla, visit her website at www.susanbonilla.com
East County Endorsements
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson
Congressman Jerry McNerney
Assemblyman Jim Frazier
Antioch: Wade Harper, Lori Ogorchock, Mary Rocha, Tony Tiscareno, Monica Wilson
Antioch Unified School District: Barbara Cowan, Diane Gibson-Gray, and Joy Motts (ret.)
Brentwood: Bob Taylor
Oakley: Sue Higgins, Vanessa Perry
Pittsburg: Pete Longmire, Sal Evola, Ben Johnson, Nancy Parent, Will Casey
East Bay Regional Park District Board Member Diane Burgis.
Antioch Police Officer’s Association
Brentwood Police Officers Association
Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs Association
Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney’s Association
United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230
10 comments
She has my vote, I don’t need someone backed by Southern California money representing me. She is not my favorite, but at least I know she will work on behalf of the area.
Bonilla’s record speaks for itself-you don’t have to look very far (or very deep). She is bought and paid for by the unions. It’s beyond obvious. That’s why I voted for Steve Glazer.
She also gave her word early on in this race that she would not go negative. It took less than a week into the run off for her to go back on her word. Just can’t trust her.
She has been caught red handed “ghost voting” (voting for other assembly members when they are absent-a practice which is deemed illegal). One of the major news stations in the bay area broke the story last year and caught her on video doing it. Just can’t trust her.
I have met Susan, watched her in action and followed her record. She is exactly what we don’t need. The people of Concord cannot stand her. Check out the local blogs, even her home town citizens don’t trust her.
She claims she is protecting the delta, yet her record doesn’t reflect any of that. In fact she has done the least to protect our delta. Just can’t trust her.
She is owned by special interests and has a horrible record.
Vote Steve Glazer for a better representative that will stand up for us and not cave in to special interests, namely unions.
Does Steve Glazer even know where East Contra Costa County is? I’ve never seen him out this way. I find it hard to believe a man living in Ordinda can understand what its like to be a working family.
At this point, I support Bonilla, but I may end up voting for the candidate who I receive the least amount of campaign mail from.
Mr Glazer has in fact been here in East County to speak. I was at the meeting and will be voting for him. I too know Susan Bonilla personally and will not vote for her. Anonymous is correct in every word he wrote.
“I ran a 100% positive campaign in the primary, even though I was attacked repeatedly and voters were bombarded with misinformation about me.”
Really Susan, because I received ANOTHER negative campaign mailer today (one of many) that was put out by YOU, (paid for by Susan Bonilla for Senate 2015). So much for sticking to your morals of running 100% positive campaign. So much for “100 percent” and being truthful or did your own pledge conveniently expire?
“Bonilla noted that her money comes from people she represents which are everyday people such as teachers, police officers, firefighters, and blue collar workers.”
Again with the deceit Susan? How gullible do you think us east county voters are? The “Teachers, police officers, firefighters, and blue collar workers” translates to UNION money. You know as well as we do that you are trying to make it sound like individuals from these professions jumped on your bandwagon while the truth is you grabbed the union money and endorsements of these groups-a decision that is made by a few UNION board members.
“I am one of the hardest working legislators in California, and have always been a hard-worker”.
Nice self analysis Susan, but those that know you know different. Why don’t you let the voters decide and provide comment. Afraid you might actually be described by many as one of the worst working legislators in California? Not so long ago Bonilla suggested; “I’m perfectly in touch with my constituents”. Not only did that line immediately produce roars of heckles, but it has been laughed about ever since. Google it!
I could go on and on, but I’ll end it with this. When asked about the troubled East County Fire district and possible solutions, this was Susan’s reply: “Yes – we must look for careful technical solutions that protect local taxpayers while ensuring public safety.” Wait, what did she say??? Thanks Susan for telling us what we already knew, skirting the issues, and leaving out any details on how you would resolve the issue. Spoken like a true, do nothing politician. I guess that is why she is the only one that proclaims she is the hardest working legislators in California. Yeah Susan like you said, you are a real problem solver.
Jerry, have you seen Susan out this way? I never have, even with all of her self promotion. The senate district is all working families and many of them live in Orinda. Before you jump to conclusions you might want to check out what Glazer is all about.
Interesting that you would hold residency against a candidate who actually lives in the district, over issues that affect our everyday lives. So tell us Jerry, why do you support Susan at this point? What has she done for you? Have you met with her? Can you name even one single thing? Most importantly, Have YOU seen her in East Contra Costa County? Just a simple question.
I find it funny that you ask if Glazer even knows where East Contra Costa is, and then go on to complain about receiving campaign mail. Obviously both candidates know how important east county is to the 7th Senate district.
If you are part of a working family, then you would most likely support Steve Glazer since he is not bought and paid for. Unlike Susan, he actually works for free and is running on a record of reform.
Did you like it when Bart went on strike?
Do you think legislators should be paid for not going to work?
Do you think legislators should be allowed to have multiple votes on the same issue/law?
Do you think it is ok for confused kids to enter and use the bathrooms of the opposite sex in our high schools?
If you answered NO to any of these questions, then you should be voting for Glazer.
Can’t wait for the land fill material to stop “glossy f, liers”
Bonilla is not the person the people want or need. When she became a supervisor in Contra Costa taking over from Desaulnier the first thing she did was gift herself with a new office and $250,000 worth of new furniture. As if Desaulnier office didn’t exist or function. She continues with the same bad selfish habits that make politicians look like crooks. We need to weed people like Bonilla out as soon as possible. America, the State and the County voters need to dump self servant politicians. My vote goes to Glazer.
So what are her “technical solutions” for the state created problems in tax allocation under AB 8 following proposition 13’s implementation? East county fire protection is not alone in this state with this problem. Back in 2006 eastern San Diego county found that 75% of their property taxes were going to schools. They were ill prepared to handle the wildfires that destroyed their county that year. Sacramento almost stepped in to adjust the funding but then something happened and everyone got quiet on the subject.
Susan Bonilla’s answer about fire protection funding was the shortest of all of her answers in this interview. I doubt she has the political will to even look into the subject further.
I doubt Steve Glazer does either. Since term limits came all politicians in Sacramento seem to just want to introduce softball legislation to insure they will survive until they are elected to their next political office. Have some balls and do something that may for once fix a broken system.
Start a ten year census that adjusts tax distribution based on population changes and services needed. There is no reason that east contra costa residents should be paying taxes to irrigation districts just because their home sits on land that used to be an orchard. Those same irrigation districts turn around and sell unlimited water to the cities of Brentwood and Antioch because they fall under 1918 water rights which means they are exempt from DWR restrictions.
There is no reason for every property owner to pay taxes towards a cemetery district that most will never even use. If you do you will still have to pay $8000 plus just to be buried there.
Finally there is no reason for there to be so many school districts out here. Two at most should be the rule. One for elementary and one for high school. Imagine the overhead of Brentwood, Oakley, Byron and Knightsen Elementary school districts? Each has a superintendent, business directors, school boards, etc. Hats off to Mary Piepho for trying to bring up the subject a few years ago even though she got told that they liked their little kingdoms the way they were. Sometimes I think we need a benevolent dictator who could just fix things.
The heck with Union backed candidates. Unions destroyed my generation. As a 22 year old voter, I will choose somone who will take a stand for MY future and not be a union puppet in Sacramento.
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