Steve Garvey

We need to support our law enforcement to ensure they are able to effectively keep our communities safe. Additionally, we need to build and strengthen the relationship between federal law enforcement and state and local law enforcement so they can work together, not against each other. Prosecutors also need to support the law, not push a partisan agenda. Strengthening the southern border and giving additional support to border patrol to do their job should also be a priority.

While I support the right to bear arms, I acknowledge that some restrictions and common-sense measures, like background checks before purchasing guns, help ensure weapons are kept out of the hands of criminals. It is important that rather than just continuing to compound additional gun control restrictions, like we have seen at the state level here in California, we gauge how certain policies are working and adjust based on results. We can keep guns out of the hands of criminals while also protecting Second Amendment rights.

First, we need to strengthen our southern border to keep criminals out of our communities, stop drug and gun trafficking, and promote the legal path to citizenship in the United States. Second, we need to respect the citizenship process and ensure those who are trying to become citizens legally are at the front of the line. Lastly, I am a supporter of a merit-based immigration system that prioritizes skills, education, and contributions to the U.S. economy. We need to end the chaos at the border, streamline the immigration process, and reward those who are seeking citizenship legally.

We need to prioritize those who are seeking a path to citizenship legally. We also need to make the legal immigration process easier. Many have waited patiently in line for years to get their chance at becoming a U.S. citizen and we need to reward those individuals for following the law.

California has one of the highest minimum wage rates in the nation, much higher than the federal minimum wage. Each state and its voters have the ability to raise their minimum wage, as California has multiple times, beyond the federal minimum wage.

We need to stop businesses from fleeing California by creating a better business climate with lower corporate taxes. This will allow businesses to offer their employees better benefits and increased pay. Additionally, California needs to support the agriculture and tech industries, two key industries that are pivotal to California’s growth. Supporting these industries will lead to more jobs and income revenue for the state.

Unfortunately, drug and alcohol addiction, along with mental health issues are the biggest driving factors of homelessness. It is not compassionate to let these people suffer and die on the street and we need to do more to get them the help they need.

The housing affordability crisis is due to short supply. However, California makes it difficult for home builders to quickly construct new housing with burdensome regulations. We can tackle this by reducing regulations on new home construction, changing the zoning laws to allow for more types of housing to be built, and to increase the height of buildings to allow for more higher density housing in urban areas. The federal government can also establish financial incentives, such as tax credits or grants, for developers who focus on building affordable housing units.

The civilian casualties we are seeing on both sides of this conflict are heartbreaking and I hope to see an end to this conflict as soon as possible. However, Israel has the unequivocal right to defend itself from terrorists. Until Hamas is destroyed, Israel must be able to continue their anti-terrorist operations.

I believe in peace through strength. When the United States is at its strongest, both militarily and economically, we do not need to intervene in the affairs of other countries because our negotiating power and stability carry weight.

I support increasing the federal budget on defense and national security. Modernizing the United States military and ensuring our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to protect American interests is extremely important. Further, increasing the federal budget for defense and national security promotes more job creation across the United States. 

Climate change is real and is happening across the globe. Here in California, we see the effects of climate change with persistent drought, increased wildfires, and sea level rise. We must strike a balance between protecting our environment without destroying our economy and jobs. Increasing infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations is important, especially in rural areas. Additionally, we should increase federal investment in research and development of carbon capture and storage, as well as other innovative solutions. Lastly, the federal government should support sustainable land management practices, like reforestation, to sequester carbon and enhance ecosystem resilience.

I support energy policy that includes a diverse mix of energy resources. We cannot rely too heavily on just one method of energy, such as solar or wind energy, that is reliant on the weather. A mix of energy resources is the most prudent approach to reducing the likelihood of future power outages and rolling blackouts. As the nation works to transition to clean energy, we must ensure we have the infrastructure available before instituting any extreme mandates.