NOTES FROM INTERVIEW WITH SENATOR TONI ATKINS LWV Team Members: Myles Pomeroy, Vickie Riggs, Rose Van Oss, Gail Mackler, Janie Griswold, and Pam Hunter Question 1 – Funding of elections: What legislative measures would you support to ensure adequate and stable funding of election administration in California? Senator Atkins stated that with the increase in California’s population - now over 38 million - and increased voter registration, voter access is clearly an important issue to be addressed. The Secretary of State needs increased funding to improve voting infrastructure that includes the State’s web site and aging voter machines. Democrats (being in the majority) are in charge of the State budget, and they are pushing to provide funding for these needs. However, the Governor is holding the line on spending and there are numerous issues competing for State funding. Senator Atkins said, “we’re all committed to voting access.” One example is expanding voter access on college campuses. Senator Atkins said there continues to be discussion about voteby-mail, however, it is not yet a reality. Currently, efforts are focused on expanding the number of voter sites and drop off times. She noted that the Motor Voter Act was signed into law in October 2015, automatically registering eligible voters when they obtain or renew their drivers’ licenses. Senator Atkins went on to say that in terms of infrastructure, cyber-security is a growing concern and must be addressed in unison with upgrading our voting machines. Another important issue related to voting, according to Senator Atkins, is campaign transparency, identifying who is funding a referendum or initiative campaign. Prior to passing campaign public financing, it’s important that Congress pass the Disclosure Act that has been voted on previously, but has not yet passed. The Disclosure Act would require disclosure of who is really funding campaigns. Question 2 – Public Higher Education: How can California meet the challenge of enrolling more students, including students with greater needs at the UC and CSU? Where does this issue rank in your legislative priorities? When Senator Atkins was Assembly Speaker she served on the UC Board of Regents and CSU Board of Trustees. She stated that currently the Governor has a new fouryear formula for funding UC and CSU in an effort to invest in greater access to higher education. However, Senator Atkins does not believe the proposed funding is sufficient especially as it pertains to professor salaries. A greater financial commitment from the state is required. Primarily to support increased California student

enrollment, the senator is recommending that $71 million be added to the UC and CSU budgets. Out-of-state and out-of country student enrollment has exceeded the recommended 10 % level and is currently at 25%. These students pay higher fees to attend UC as well as CSU. As noted, the senator supports increased student enrollment incrementally over five years. However, UC Administration officials’ current position is to increase the student body by ten thousand at each campus all at once. This will put enormous financial pressure on UC’s infrastructure. The existing buildings are old and in need of repair, and with an increase in the student body additional housing is also required. Senator Atkins does not support an increase in tuition. When tuition goes up Cal Grant awards increase. She is also very concerned about the Governor’s attempt to eliminate scholarships for middle class students. Question 3 – Water Resources: What kinds of legislative proposals would you support to ensure that enough water of adequate quality is available for municipal and industrial uses, agriculture and the environment in the face of over stretched surface and ground water resources and climate conditions different than those California experienced in the last century? According to Senator Atkins, in the last five years California has accomplished a great deal in terms of water management. When she was Speaker of the Assembly she worked on a water bond, Proposition 1, funding water conservation practices. It is a statewide plan providing money for California watersheds and other conservation measures. Senator Atkins stated that one’s response to water management is regional and not based on party affiliation. She noted that San Diego has done a good job of conserving water and that it has a diversified approach. It is also true that San Diego has taken more than its share from the Colorado River and that has resulted in damage to the Salt and Sea. She did say that steps were currently being taken to rectify this damage. Senator Atkins stated that San Diego is fortunate that Scripps and UCSD are located here. They offer the region technical and innovative resources going forward in addressing water management. The Governor and Los Angeles County are in favor of constructing tunnels for the transport of water to Southern California. She stated that San Diego, however, favors conservation efforts. Los Angeles and surrounding areas are more dependent on Northern California for water than San Diego. The senator went on to say that water management in California is complicated further by senior water rights that cannot be easily undone legally. The owner of these rights can also sell them. Another issue of concern is infrastructure as recently evidenced by the Oroville Dam damage and flooding. There is a very large number of dams

throughout the state, many require repair; and therefore, significant financial resources. Question 4 – Do you think the bar should be raised to qualify a ballot initiative or referendum? Senator Atkins responded that people want the right to have the initiative process. She however, does not necessarily believe that it always leads to good government. She does believe the process for placing a measure on the ballot needs to be improved. She said there should be a self-correction in 2018. The number of signatures required for a ballot measure is based on voter turnout during the previous election. Because turnout during 2014 was low the number of signatures required for ballot measures in 2016 was low. Turnout in the 2016 election was much greater so the number of signatures required for initiatives placed on the 2018 ballot will be greater. Question 5 – What other major issues do you think the legislature must deal with in 2017? What are your personal priorities? Affordable housing is Senator Atkins’ passion. She was asked why the Governor’s proposal to allow housing that complied with certain pre-defined criteria to be approved without public hearings and without environmental review did not pass. Senator Atkins said that labor strongly opposed it because they would lose the opportunity to use CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act as leverage to negotiate project labor agreements.