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SEIU CALIFORNIA STATE COUNCIL

2004 QUESTIONNAIRE

STATE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for taking time to fill out this questionnaire. In order to better inform our membership about where the candidates we support stand on the issues, the SEIU California State Council Executive Board has voted to require all candidates seeking our endorsement for the State Senate and Assembly to respond to this questionnaire.

SEIU is California's largest and most diverse union. With over 500,000 members, we are the largest union in state and local government, home care, health care, social services, courts, building services and the horse racing industry. We also represent classified school employees, law enforcement, corrections, probation, and a variety of small industry employees.

Unions like SEIU are the economic backbone of California’s middle class. Our mission is to empower workers to provide economic security and economic opportunity for themselves and their families. SEIU fights for jobs with decent wages, health care, pensions and working conditions, and with opportunity for advancement. We also work in coalition with the consumers of the services our members provide to enhance economic opportunity and the quality of life in our state by advocating for and improving those services.

CAMPAIGN PROFILE

Candidate Name:

Campaign Address:

Campaign Phone:

e-mail:

FPPC #:

Party Affiliation:

Occupation:

William ( Bill ) Winter

PO Box 59

Oxnard, CA 93032

805-276-3629

oxnardjo@ verizon.net

Forthcoming

Republican

Freelance Journalist

Proposed Ballot Designation:________________________________________________________

Elected offices currently/ previously held: ______________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Other campaigns for elected office: Mayor of Oxnard 1998 & Oxnard City Council in 1996-94-92

_______________________________________________________________________________

Appointed offices currently/ previously held: Appointed to Oxnard Charter Committee (1994), elected Chair of Wilson Historic Neighborhood and current Chair of the Oxnard Inter-Neighborhood Council Forum (INCF).

NAME PHONE / FAX

Labor Consultant ___________________________ ________________________

Campaign Consultant: ___________________________ _______________________

Media Consultant*: ___________________________ _______________________

Mail Consultant*: ___________________________ _______________________

Fundraising Consultant*: ___________________________ _______________________

Field Consultant*: ___________________________ _______________________

Pollster: ___________________________ _______________________

Campaign Manager: Mr. Alejandro Rivera 487-1776

Scheduler: ___________________________ _______________________

Other Campaign Staff: Ms. Betty Payne, Mr. Phil Cummings

* if applicable

Anticipated Budget: $15 – 20 K

Funds Raised to Date: $1,350

Current/Prior union membership: None

Other organizations you belong to:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please attach your biography, a list of current endorsements and any campaign literature you have printed as of yet.

CANDIDATE PLEDGE –

SUPPORTING THE RIGHT OF WORKERS TO CHOOSE A UNION

Section 923 of California’s Labor Code states it is the public policy of this state that ”It is necessary that the individual workman have full freedom of association, self-organization, and designation of representatives of his own choosing, to negotiate the terms and conditions of his employment, and that he shall be free from the interference, restraint, or coercion of employers of labor, or their agents, in the designation of such representatives....”

Employers have the power to fire, promote, change work assignments and other wise reward and punish their workers. There are many responsible employers who respect the rights of their workers and obey the law. Unfortunately, many employers abuse their power in the workplace to deny their workers the right to freely choose a voice on the job by joining a union and bargaining contracts determining the terms and conditions of their employment.

Each year workers seeking to organize a union in their workplace are fired although the law says this is illegal. After years of litigation, employers are required to rehire these workers and pay back wages minus any income the worker earned after being fired. Employers pay no other penalty. Workers receive no compensation for the harm done to their lives and careers. And unions receive no compensation for the impact of such illegal activities on their organizing drives.

Even after workers overcome employer interference and vote for a union many employers then refuse to bargain a contract in good faith.

SEIU asks you as a candidate and elected official to exert moral leadership and to actively support public policies that protect the right of workers to freely choose a voice on the job by participating in a union and to bargaining with their employers.

As a candidate and elected official I hereby pledge:

1.

To publicly support and actively encourage workers who are organizing a union with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

2.

To publicly support and actively encourage the position that workers should be able to freely choose for themselves whether they want to gain a voice on the job by unionizing without the intimidating effects of any employer interference. This includes publicly supporting and encouraging employers to remain neutral on the question of unionization.

3.

To publicly support and actively encourage the position that no taxpayer money should be spent interfering with the right of workers to freely choose a union.

4.

To publicly support and actively encourage a fair and fast process for determining worker support for unionization including secret ballot election or card check recognition.

5.

To publicly support and actively encourage employers to negotiate an agreement with the union within 90 days after the majority of workers express their choice in favor of forming a union.

6.

To publicly support and actively encourage employers to negotiate good faith collective bargaining agreements with their workers and to abide by the terms of those agreements.

Signature:__/s/ Bill Winter _______________________________ Date:__30 June 2004

Print Name: William Clifford Winter

WORKING WITH SEIU MEMBERS

1.

If elected, will you commit to the following actions to support workers engaged in union activity such as bargaining and organizing:

A.        Walk picket lines?

B.         Mediate with employers?

C.         Write letters of support?

D.        Fight for proper enforcement of current labor law?

E.         Hold a press conference?

F.         Speak at rallies?

Yes to ALL   A – thru F

2.

If elected, will you commit to:

G.         Call for and welcome SEIU input on policy matters that affect the industries that our members work in?

H.        Attend SEIU leadership and worksite meetings?

I.          Work with SEIU to develop legislative proposals?

J.          Ensure direct access to you and your staff?

K.        Work to appoint qualified union members to appropriate Boards and Commissions?

Yes to G – H – I –and J --- for “K “I would highly regard Union affiliation in my selection, but my recommendation would be based on total qualities and Union support would rank highly.

3.

Briefly explain what actions you have taken as a public official or private citizen that demonstrate your commitment to helping workers achieve a voice on the job and in the political process.

I was instrumental to get a Union (NAGE) to come to my federal workplace when the office climate and treatment of staff demanded that a Union come to help. I did this at great personal detriment as I was black listed by management and not afforded promotional opportunities or assisted in my professional development.

I would to this day, do the same actions again to get a Union into this Federal workplace and even though it hurt me professionally and economically, I would not turn my back on the Union, nor confound the efforts of workers to organize.

QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICES

Budget Accountability

California’s budget process is mired in partisan gridlock. The failure of the Legislature and Governor to adopt a responsible budget will result in deep cuts to many essential services that Californians depend on. SEIU has joined with a broad coalition of community, religious and labor organizations to qualify the Budget Accountability Act for the state ballot in 2004. The Act requires the Legislature and Governor to forfeit pay and allowances for each day past the constitutional deadline until the budget is signed into law; requires the Legislature to remain in session when the deadline is missed and prohibits acting on other legislation until the budget is adopted; reduces the two-thirds vote to pass the state budget and related tax legislation to 55%; requires the official voter pamphlet to include a summary of how the state spends the funds it receives; and requires the state to establish a “rainy day” fund of 5% in years when revenues exceed the amount needed to fund existing services.

1.

Did you support or oppose the Budget Accountability Act? Why? / Why not?

I support all efforts to afford a balanced, timely, and properly submitted budget. The Budget Accountability Act – (as voted on last March) was simplistic and punitive. The promise to do something about the budget was a good start, however, accountability begins with each member of the legislature and a Governor who fosters co-operation between paid state staff the elected representatives.

2.

What steps did you take to publicly support your position on the Budget Accountability Act?

Oxnard’s budget is healthy and I would expect nothing less from the County, State and Federal regulators.

Public Service Revenues

Tax policy, set both legislatively and through the initiative process, continues to have a major negative impact on public services in the state. A series of initiatives, beginning with Proposition 13 in 1978 and including Proposition 4 (1979), Proposition 62 (1986) and Proposition 218 (1996) have severely restricted the ability of state and local government to raise revenues to improve and expand public services.

Throughout the 1990's state legislators passed and Governors signed billions of dollars worth of tax breaks and loopholes for business, further restricting public revenues.

1.

California remains deeply in debt and face a more than $8 billion structural deficit that future legislators will be forced to confront. Some people believe that California has a spending problem, and the best way to resolve the budget crisis is to cut spending, reduce regulation, and put severe caps on future growth in government spending. Other people believe that California needs to invest in quality schools, expanded access to health care, infrastructure, public safety and other essential services and must raise additional revenues to do so in bad economic times. Which of these two views is closest to your own?

On the local level we can do our part to make things better. Giving businesses breaks to improve the commercial climate is good as long as hiring and pay increases with the incentives. With more money flowing in the local economy, schools, and public safety assets can be improved along with it.

2.

In 1979 voters approved Proposition 4, setting constitutional caps on state and local government spending. Members of the current Legislature have introduced measures to impose more severe constitutional spending limits. Do you support or oppose efforts to implement constitutional spending limits that are more restrictive than those currently in place?

I am against spending limits within local jurisdictions. Limits slow growth. I would be vocal against the imposition of any further limits on municipal spending and allotment of funds.

3.

Corporate tax preferences and rate reductions adopted since 1985 have lowered taxes on corporate profits by 45%, forcing California to rely increasingly on income and sales taxes to fund schools, health care, public safety and other services. While corporate tax breaks can be passed with a majority vote, it takes a two-thirds vote to repeal them. There is also no review process to evaluate the effectiveness of corporate tax breaks as vehicles to create jobs and improve California’s economy. SEIU has joined with a broad coalition to support the Corporate Tax Accountability Act. The Act would allow the Legislature to repeal or reduce corporate tax preferences based on the same vote requirement that applies to their enactment; require annual review to determine the cost, purpose, effectiveness and fairness of corporate tax preferences; limit the duration of preferences to no more than five years and require reenactment thereafter; and require that any additional revenues from the repeal or reduction of corporate tax preferences be placed in a “rainy day fund” to be used only when State revenues fall below current service levels.

A.     Do you support or oppose the Corporate Tax Accountability Act?

        Current laws in place need to be enforced.

B.     What steps will you take to publicly support your position on the Corporate Tax Accountability Act?

Congressman’s Doggett’s (D-TX) Corporate Accountability Tax Gap Act is a measure I would support to open the corporate books and make tax payments a mater of public record.

4.

In 2000 voters approved Proposition 39, lowering the voter approval margin for school bonds to 55% from two-thirds. Do you support or oppose a similar standard to approve local government bond measures, specific targeted local tax increases and parcel tax increases for schools?

I favor two thirds approval vice 55% on all legislative voting.

5.

Commercial property tax rates under Proposition 13 have lagged significantly behind those for private homeowners. Do you support or oppose a change to Proposition 13 to more fairly tax commercial property by reassessing on a regular basis rather than the current change of ownership standard?

Prop 13 will diminish thru attrition. I support no change or modification which threatens the spirit or effect of Prop 13.

6.

Voters have enacted a series of measures including Proposition 98 in 1988, and Propositions 42 and 49 in 2002 that dedicate existing taxes to specific purposes, schools, road and highway maintenance, and after-school child care, respectively, further restricting the ability of the Legislature and Governor to set and fund priorities. Do you support or oppose efforts to dedicate revenues to specific purposes and restrict fiscal flexibility?

I would support the rescinding of Prop 98 --- however the laws affecting allocation may change between now and 2006….Stand-by!

7.

Please describe briefly any actions you have taken as a public official or private citizen that demonstrate your support for your positions on public service revenues.

My support for Police and Fire has been steady and will grow more apparent during the campaign.

State and Local Government Services

1.

Realignment is the shifting of fiscal responsibility for providing services from the state to local government. The Governor proposed shifting $8.3 billion of fiscal responsibility for nursing homes, homecare and other health and human services from the state to counties as part of his initial 2003-04 budget proposal. Although the proposals included funding sources, those sources are inadequate to provide these crucial high-growth programs and services with the stability and resources they require. Further, individual counties would have no control over important policy decisions that affect California’s ability to deliver these valued services under realignment.

A.     What criteria would you use to determine whether or not realignment of services makes sense?

State decisions are beyond my control. I would work with County officials should such transfers happen. Criteria would initially be to provide the most for those who cannot provide for themselves.

B.     What services, if any, do you believe should be considered for realignment?

Too early to tell. Home care would be one I would favor if home health care were better funded especially for round-the-clock care.

2.

The State of California requires that specific standards be met before contracting-out state work, including a showing of actual savings, and requiring a private contractor providing public services to offer its employees wages and benefits comparable to public sector workers. In 2002 the state standards were applied to school district contracting-out.

Would you support or oppose legislation requiring that these same standards be applied as a minimum for cities, counties and special districts?

I would approve of prevailing wage minimums for the district where the contract services are performed.

3.

Contingent and involuntary part-time workers are increasingly used in the public sector in lieu of filling permanent positions. These workers are typically denied access to health care and other benefits.   Public services suffer due to the high turnover of workers.

Would you support or oppose legislation to restrain state and local government from using contingent workers in lieu of filling permanent positions?

I am 100% against using part-time and seasonal workers in areas where typically vested and full-time employees are used.

4.

Please briefly describe any actions you have taken as a public official or private citizen that demonstrate your support for quality public services.

I have been vocal regarding the quality of life issues that affect my Neighborhood and have supported more public workers to do the basic jobs that are needed in City our size.

Education

1.

Do you support or oppose school vouchers?

I support School Vouchers. Public Schools would eventually benefit from increased funding due to smaller enrollment (if private schools absorb some of the children in the district) making public schools more attractive to parents who may select private education. Sen. Kerry’s proposal to increase school funding would fit well in benefiting public schools. The pie is large enough for public and private schools to co-exist.

2.

After school care programs have become an important resource for California’s working families. After school care is funded through a combination of federal and state funds. While there has been a great deal of interest in expanding access to after school care, growth in funding has been extremely limited.

A. Do you support or oppose efforts to increase state funding for after school care programs?

Highly support state funding and would (if elected) seek to support Oxnard School District in gaining other more creative funding sources and means to increase the many after-school and pre-school programs which we currently provide.

B. Do you support increasing after school programs that employ classified school workers at public schools or would you look to the private sector to fill the gap?

I see the best market for after-school programs in the public school sector. Surprisingly, families who send their children to private schools also use and support programs provided by the public school sector.

3.

A college educated workforce is increasingly important to the state’s economic future, but funding cuts and fee increases at community colleges, CSU and the UC system put a college education out of reach to more and more Californians. Would you support or oppose making public higher education a priority for state funding?

If you support increased funding, how would you propose to pay for it?

I propose that Californians look closer at public-funded educations in other states. California by far is the best buy for the buck in education and even with our fee increases, our education is still a bargain compared to states such as Massachusetts, New York, Virginia or even Arkansas. In answer to your question, YES, I would support increased funding, simply to make our Universities better.

4.

Please briefly describe any actions you have taken as a public official or private citizen that demonstrate your support for schools, community colleges and state universities.

I have worked with publicity representatives of the new Channel Islands State University to highlight special programs on my web site: www.oxnard-journal.com during the first years of the University’s operation. I also submitted ideas to Oxnard School Superintendent for creative means of gaining funding for school programs.

5.

Economic Development and Public Investment

Strong, well directed, broadly inclusive economic growth is vital to the health of the California economy. But in California, as in the rest of the nation, the income gap between rich and poor is continually widening. Economic development programs must be structured to create access to jobs and a wage structure that does not widen the economic gap. Public investment policy must focus on restoring California’s crumbling, antiquated infrastructure including schools, transportation systems, parks, telecommunications, drinking water systems and public buildings, and on creating new public resources.

5A. What priorities would you set for state economic development, and how you would seek to ensure that economic strategies benefit workers in a community? (If you are currently or formerly an elected official, explain how have you worked to ensure that working families benefits from economic development programs in your community.)

Priorities for economic improvement would focus on bringing more businesses into Oxnard and revitalizing the Downtown and South Oxnard districts. For construction trades, I would look to improve un-used property.

5B. The California Dept. of Finance estimates that the state must spend at least $90 billion in public investment over the next ten years to restore the quality of our public infrastructure and meet growing needs. Do you support public investment in infrastructure? If not, why not?

I fully support the improvement of infra-structure.

Please indicate your level of support for each of the following categories of public investment: (1 – strongly oppose, 2 – slightly oppose, 3 – slightly support, 4 – moderately support, 5 – strongly support)

5C. __5___ Renovation and new construction for K-12 schools.

5D. __5___ Renovation and new construction for colleges and universities.

5E. __5___ Renewal and upgrading of urban transit systems.

5F. __5___ Construct high-speed statewide passenger rail systems. ( Specifically Mono-Rail)

5G. __5___ Renovate the state highway system.

5H. __5___ Pursue construction of “smart” highways.

5I. ___5__ Upgrade water supply systems.

5J. ___5__ Devote more resources to water conservation. ( Support Desalinization )

5K. __5___ Refurbishment of state parks.

5L. __5___ Ensure low-cost access to telecommunications and Internet systems.

5M. Would you support legislation requiring that companies which take tax breaks from California to create an appropriate number of secure, good paying jobs, and to provide adequate warning of relation? If not, why not?

Yes ---

5N. Would you support sunset dates and required legislative review for all special tax preferences, with renewal being tied to the entire budget process? If not, why not?

Yes – as long as budget reporting procedures are frequent,

Please indicate your level of support for each of the following curbs on corporate welfare (1 – strongly oppose, 2 – slightly oppose, 3 – slightly support, 4 – moderately support, 5 – strongly support):

5O. __4__ No subsidies for low-end jobs.

5P. __5__ Subsidies and tax breaks should be directly tied to private investment levels and creation of good jobs.

5Q. _5___ Businesses receiving incentives must uphold their end of the bargain or be required to return the incentives.

5R. _5___ Subsidies and incentives must be coordinated to avoid bidding wars between localities, between California and other states.

5S. Would you make an active effort to put clear standards into law ensuring that public funds for economic development and public contracts are directed to responsible companies that pay at least a living wage, provide good benefits to workers, obey all laws and agree to card check neutrality? If not, why not?

For Municipal contracts, I would eagerly encourage and stand for the implementation of “prevailing wages” for workers and support used in completion of contracted work for the City.

5T. Would you support legislation that would increase penalties to companies that participate in the underground economy by failing to pay required overtime, ignoring minimum wage laws, or paying cash under the table? If not, why not?

Oh Yes!

5U. Do you agree that creation of community development strategies must include significant input from labor, community interests and academics? If not, why not?

Yes ---- all three elements are vital.

5V. Do you agree that businesses that violate labor law should be ineligible for state and local public contracts, tax abatements or public subsidies for job creation? If not, why not?

I would blacklist any company that violated labor law – as long as judicial or criminal proof exists of the violation.

5W. Do you agree that companies with more than three OSHA health and safety violations, or one willful serious violation should be barred from bidding on public contracts or receiving public dollars until the violations are satisfactorily abated? If not, why not?

I would review the company’s safety record, the frequency of offense, and how recent the violations were before barring the business.

5X. Would you support a requirement that government establish a reporting and hearing process for community input on large tax incentive packages for attracting business? If not, why not?

Yes – the biggest problem is getting the public more interested, involved, and aware of the process.

5Y. Do you support legislation requiring that enterprise zone district creation be accompanied by support services & training to provide long-term job creation for local residents? If not, why not?

I would support EDD and local vocational involvement in hiring and training.

6.

Privatization and Contracting Out

6A. What is your position on privatization or contracting out of public services? Under what conditions would you support privatization?

The City contracts out for many services – I would not increase the area of private contractors, and would not support removing any city employees for private contractors.

6B. How would you bring contracted-out or privatized services back into public administration?

I would do a study of contracted services and the cost incurred by the City for such services. A cost-benefit analysis would prove out if services could be done cheaper and more efficiently in-house. I would then move to integrate such services into the City.

6C. Would you support legislation requiring that privatization be subject to public hearings, to provide full disclosure of cost comparisons, and quality of services. If not, why not?

Such a move would be good for the public interest, but business owners and contractors may object to their RFB and bid information becoming public knowledge.

6D. Would you support legislation requiring local government, schools and local agencies to adopt contracting provisions similar to those in the Government Code affecting state workers? These provisions restrict contracting out to those urgent circumstances or special situations where public workers cannot do the work. If not, why not?

Yes.

Human Services

1.

County social workers are currently carrying caseloads that are double the state standard. Would you support or oppose legislation to mandate adherence to caseload standards defined and recommended in reports mandated by previous legislation?

Support.

2.

Mental health services in California are under-funded and access is limited. For many Californians mental health care is a privilege denied. Would you support or oppose legislation to provide Californians with a right to mental health care?

Support – this would affect our Veterans and homeless.

3.

State facilities for the developmentally disabled are being downsized with treatment moving to the community-based care model. While developmental disabilities services are publicly funded, wages and benefits for workers in private sector community care settings lag significantly behind those of public workers.

Would you support legislation creating Workforce Service Centers that would serve as employers of record for developmental disabilities workers in community care settings and would work to attract additional funding, stabilize the workforce through training and wage and benefit improvements, and support independent living in California’s community based developmental services system?

Anything to assist our developmentally disabled residents, I would wholeheartedly support.

4.

IHSS – What is your position on this program?

I fully support In-Home Support Services for elderly and disabled.

HEALTH CARE

Access to Health Care

1

California’s health care system is in crisis. More than 7 million Californians have no health insurance coverage. State budget cuts will swell the ranks of the uninsured and underinsured, the majority of whom are in working families. Premiums for those with insurance are rising rapidly and many employers are attempting to pass those costs on to workers who cannot afford them.

The Legislature is currently considering broad-based solutions to California’s health care crisis. Do you support or oppose:

A. “Pay or play” legislation, requiring all employers to either provide employees and their families with health insurance or pay into a purchasing pool to buy health coverage for their workers?

1.

B. A single payer system, which would shift funding for health care from an employer-

based to a tax-based system?

C. What other solutions, if any, would you support to provide all Californians with universal access to health care?

2.

Most people without health insurance are low-wage workers – or other working people who want insurance but cannot attain it on their own because of pre-existing conditions or lack of affordability. When the uninsured a forced to seek medical care, hospitals often charge them premium prices, far above those rates charged for Medi-Cal or private insurance patients, and refer them to collection agencies in a matter of weeks, resulting in financial ruin. Would you support or oppose legislation that limits the amount that uninsured patients below a certain income level will pay for hospital services, requires hospitals to work with patients to find all available sources of funding for their care, and gives uninsured patients more time to pay their hospital bills?

I would highly support a cap on charges or a lowest tier rate plan for un-insured and under-insured. I am also a proponent of universal health-care – even if the pattern for this universal care is designed after the HMO Model.

3.

Health care premiums are increasing by 20% - 25% per year but no one knows where the premium dollars go. Would you support legislation that requires hospital systems and medical groups to fully disclose how premium dollars are being spent?

The maze in which this money travels is convoluted. I would support Point-of-Service cost maximums based on procedure and DSM-IV Codes. Monitoring and maintaining cost at the beginning stages of medical procedure will have a reverberating effect on how and where the money is allocated within the medical groups, the insurance companies, and state insurance agencies.

4.

Please briefly describe any actions you have taken as a public official or private citizen that demonstrate your support for expanded access to health care services.

On a personal level, I have advised people who don’t have coverage, what resources are available.

I have also been a supporter of small private clinic and medical offices that provide care to low-income and immigrant populations. As a Chair for my Neighborhood, I have assisted a downtown medical training school with their expansion plans and permit process with the City of Oxnard.

Acute Care

1.

The State Department of Health Services will soon adopt nurse to patient staffing ratios in hospitals. However, hospitals currently get up to six months notice of inspections, and current law does not require DHS to enforce nurse to patient ratios as part of hospital inspections or require follow-up to ensure that deficiencies are corrected. Would you support or oppose legislation that required DHS to conduct unannounced inspections, enforce nurse to patient ratios, follow-up to ensure that deficiencies are corrected, and provide DHS with effective sanctions to deal with violators?

Unannounced inspections by DHS and JACHO are the best means to capture “moment-in-time” status reviews. There is always an element for this procedure to fail, based on persons within the regulatory agencies notifying personal acquaintances of upcoming inspections, but on the whole, this is something I would strongly support.

2.

Would you support or oppose legislation to prevent delays in hospital seismic safety deadlines except in cases of financial exigency or clear public health benefit, and to ensure that state financial assistance is prioritized for facilities that serve the public interest?

Support.

3.

Would you support or oppose an expanded public process and stronger regulatory standards to govern the projected wave of hospital mergers, acquisitions, and consolidations?

Each merger would have to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. In general, the larger the firm, the less personal and attentive they are to the individual. However, a merger, if approved or sought, may have saved the Santa Paula Memorial Hospital from closing.

Nursing Homes

1.

Proposals to resolve the 2003-04 state budget crisis included a 15% cut in MediCal reimbursements to nursing homes. According to nursing home owners and workers, cuts of this magnitude would force many homes to close and would create unsafe conditions for patients in those that do stay open.

Do you support or oppose cuts in nursing home reimbursement rates?

Nursing homes, rehabilitation, and elder-care facilities are becoming increasingly more valuable and needed in our state. I strongly oppose any cuts to state funding to these facilities. As we saw during the time of Governor Reagan’s administration, his actions in cutting funding to the state mental health hospitals have had a lasting effect that are still visible to this very day. Cutting in these areas of state funding is dangerous and not at all beneficial to the total population of the state.

2.

California currently reimburses nursing homes on a flat daily base rate without regard to the level of staffing or the level of wages and benefits provided to caregivers, creating incentives for nursing home owners to cut costs at the expense of quality care. Would you support or oppose reforming the state’s nursing home system to provide higher Medi-Cal base payments to nursing homes that have higher staffing levels and provide caregivers with better wages and benefits?

Support. Increasing the level and nature of care is something that I seek.

* I have personal experience with operations of nursing homes as I was a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) from 1992-1996.

Homecare (In Home Supportive Services)

1.

The Homecare (IHSS) program allows hundreds of thousands of seniors and people with disabilities to live independently and with dignity in their own homes rather than being forced into more expensive nursing homes. The IHSS program is funded with a combination of federal Medicaid, state and county funds. Federal and state “matching” funds are currently capped at 200% of the minimum wage. Would you support or oppose efforts to lift the state and federal funding caps to make improvements for homecare workers and consumers?

Again, we have a case of examining how funds are allocated. In principal, I support raising the current limits. I would be mindful of how the state handles its workmen’s compensation and the insurance rates that California employers pay. Anything to increase dignity and allow disabled people to remain in their homes is strongly supported by me.

2.

Existing law only provides for the state to share in the cost of wages and individual health benefits for homecare workers. Would you support or oppose a change to require the state to share in the costs of other benefits, such as dependent health coverage, vision, life insurance, vacation and sick time, etc.

Support – if the state could develop a means to fund such compensation in a manner that would not impact taxes, or assessments currently in place.

BUILDING SERVICES

1.

Would you be willing to encourage building owners, who control the building services economy, to provide livable wages and family health care benefits to the janitors who clean their buildings?

Yes, I would. The building trades provide critical services and pay and compensation is directly related to the quality of craft by the builders.

2.

Would you support or oppose legislation requiring the licensing of janitorial companies to control the growth of the underground economy in building services contracting?

Control and regulation of underground janitorial services can be managed at a municipal level. My biggest concern would be whether companies are paying under-the-table for janitorial services and especially if the service owner is not reporting income or paying taxes or providing workers compensation in the form of state fees and insurance. This is the greatest problem.

I would support legislation to regulate or license janitorial service providers.

3.

Would you support or oppose legislation that gave the Department of Industrial Relations authority to revoke the license of private security companies who repeatedly violate labor laws?

Support.

4.

Would you support or oppose legislation that would hold building businesses liable if they contract for labor at rates below wages required by law to do the work?

Any business who pays for labor below federal, state, or local minimum wage regulations should be fined and barred from operating within the jurisdiction violated.

OTHER ISSUES

1.

Did you support or oppose the attempt to recall Governor Davis?

I feel that the best method of recall is the regular perennial ballot. Recalls are dangerous because they set a precedent that undermines not only the person being recalled, but the potential effectiveness of the person who replaces the recalled official.

What public actions did you take to support your position on the recall?

I performed no public actions in regards to the recent gubernatorial recall.

2.

Did you support or oppose SB60, legislation that removes immigration restrictions for eligibility for a driver's license while maintaining current security standards?

SB60 wsa repealed by our current Governor. Monitoring of our borders belongs to the Federal sector. As a state, we have to provide for our population. I would favor driver license privileges for undocumented immigrants as long as Motor Voter status is controlled, and passage to and from countries to our South is allowed. Many undocumented workers migrate from state to state and across the borders and many do not maintain year-round residence in California. When I obtained my license, I did not have to prove I was a US citizen. State Senator Gil Zedillo is re-working the legislation to address security issues. In the initial offering, I did not support SB60 as it was written.

3.

Did you support or oppose Proposition 54 on the October 7, 2003 ballot?

Prop 54 was racially-charged. I did not vote in support of it.

4.

Did you support or oppose Proposition 53 on the October 7, 2003 ballot?

Prop 53 was aimed to improve our infrastructure. I voted in favor of the measure.

5.

Do you support or oppose AB 16, a $12 billion dollar school construction bond measure placed on the 2004 primary election ballot by the legislature?

I supported AB 16.

6.

Do you support or oppose the general legalization of immigrants currently living in this country?

I support legal immigration. My wife followed the rules, it took us two years, but now we are “Street legal” and I support anyone following the current laws. In the case of people who are already here, the Federal government will have to devise a plan to grant illegal immigrants a process to apply gain the legal status, which has been and is the norm for all other immigrants into the US. I support a process to integrate current residents who do not have legal status.

7.

To what extent do you believe that employment discrimination continues to deny equal opportunity to minorities and women?

Optional surveys on employment applications that inquire as to race, and sex should be done away with. The excuse of using the data for survey purposes is not always true. To the counter, I would ad that white males are sometimes discriminated against in an effort to hire persons who do not appear to be white males. Hiring should be based on qualifications not quotas.

8.

Reliable, accessible, environmentally friendly transportation is a key issue for working families. What will you do to improve California’s transportation systems?

I would support Monorail and magnetic rail technology. Monorails could be constructed along our major freeways. I would also support the City of Oxnard looking into purchasing smaller buses and vans and increase the routes taken by SCAT to provide better and more effective service to bus passengers.

9.

There is a housing crisis in many areas of the state. Many working families spend more than half of their income on housing. What role do you believe the state should play in providing affordable housing?

Housing is market-driven. I would favor the state creating more cities in rural areas to offset the overflow and offer affordable housing and community living to persons who would want this opportunity.

10.

Do you support SB2?

SB2 may drive away businesses from California. The State needs to provide an option for a tie-in for businesses that cannot afford the coverage minimums, a means to support and use Medi-cal network providers.

CANDIDATE INTERESTS

1A.

Briefly describe your top priorities and the policy areas that will be of most interest to you as a Municipal Mayor.

-- Traffic – this is the number one quality of life issue affecting all of Oxnard.

-- Water -- work with water district providers to maintain quality and quantity – and support a desalinization plant in Oxnard.

-- Housing – work with city planners at in-filling and increasing affordable housing especially in the downtown area. Work with County to build new farm-worker housing.

-- The Downtown. Work with local business owners to improve storefronts, implement visionary approach to attracting more business to the Downtown.

-- Sectioning the City, work with local community leaders to ensure that ALL parts of Oxnard are treated fairly. Support the Council District measure if approved by the voters.

1B.

What qualifies or distinguishes you from other candidates for this office?

I have a long history of supporting the individual and being open and communicative about issues. I am a full supporter of open government and as Mayor, I would be strong in advocating that the City clear up any problems such as the recent Brown Act violation. I would have not gone to court and would have asked the City Manager to perform a public re-hearing of the Downtown Theater project thereby maintaining an appearance of openness and keeping the city from the embarrassment of being cited by a County Superior Courts Judge.

I am a supporter of neighborhood involvement and would strive do increase the presence of city staff at neighborhood meetings and support current programs that involve the City and community such as the Satellite City Hall program.

I know I would be a greater advocate for the individual citizen. I know I would be more responsive to the concerns --- especially those voiced at City Council meetings. I have a history of involvement and a strong desire to improve the image of Oxnard.

1C.

Briefly state why you are seeking Labor’s endorsement.

Labor’s endorsement carries a lot or weight with the voters. Labor unions maintain the living wage and improve the quality of life. Unions stand for the individual and with globalization and out-sourcing the mode, Unions are becoming more and more important. Labor’s endorsement would also validate my candidacy as I am seeking to get my message out that Oxnard needs a change. I am the one candidate for Mayor who is not a polished politician and am the one candidate who is more representative of the people in this coming election.

1D.

If SEIU Local 998 endorses you, will you carry the endorsement on your materials?

Yes --- I am holding up printing in order to carry the endorsement and the ‘Union Bug’.

2.

What actions have you taken as a private citizen or elected official to support workers’ rights or freely join, participate in a union?

As stated in item #3 (Page 4) - I worked fervently to get a union at my former worksite due to over-bearing and unfair management practices.

3.

Is there anything else you believe is important for the members of SEIU to know about you and your campaign as they evaluate candidates for this office?

Just – that I will be an advocate for the Union, will support the Union and be a fair minded representative for all issues that come to me that involve or affect the Union.

BIOGRAPHY:

Bill Winter was raised in suburban New Jersey where he graduated high school and immediately joined the navy.

He served in the navy as a journalist aboard the aircraft carrier USS America. The carrier operated in the Mediterranean where Bill toured Europe, studying art and architecture while on leave around the continent.

After the navy, he attended the University of Maine, where he earned an Associates in Graphic Arts. He came to California after touring universities on the eastern seaboard, New Orleans, Texas, Arizona and eventually California.

He completed his Bachelors in Radio TV Communications from San Francisco State University. After working in some media-related positions, he opted to re-join the navy and came to Port Hueneme to serve as the battalion journalist for NMCB-40. After being honorably discharged, Bill decided to remain in Oxnard as he had enjoyed the area since first arriving in 1987. Since then, he has been active in local politics, first running for Council in 1992.

While assigned to the Seabees, Bill became a pen-pal with former President Reagan. In 1993, he and his wife were invited to meet the President in his Century City office. This meeting was an encouragement for Bill to seek service as a representative in local government. Currently, Bill is in his second term as Neighborhood Chair for the Wilson Neighborhood Council and he rose to Chair of the city-wide Inter-Neighborhood Council (INCF) for the City of Oxnard.

Public service is important to Bill and he sees his running for Mayor as the best way he can serve Oxnard.

Thank you for completing this questionnaire. Please sign below and return the questionnaire as indicated in the cover letter.

Signed _/s/ William Clifford Winter ______ City _____Oxnard, Calif. ________

Date: 30 June 2004