Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
Name: Avelino Valencia
Current job title: State Assemblymember
Political party affiliation: Democratic
Incumbent: Yes
Other political positions held: Anaheim City Council
City where you reside: Anaheim
Campaign website or social media: AvelinoValencia.com
Do you believe balancing the state budget should rely more on spending cuts, new revenue streams or a combination? Tell us how you would propose tackling California’s projected budget deficit. (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Both, while recognizing that this undertaking will be a multi-year effort. We need to increase government efficiency and modernize our systems, including exploring how the state can incorporate blockchain and cryptocurrency into existing systems. We need to reduce spending on one-time projects, get creative with new revenue streams, and save for the future.
I am authoring ACA 1, which would increase our budget reserves by raising the reserve cap, so that when we have challenging budget years, we can use those savings. I am also authoring AB 2335, which will create a digital asset reserve fund to strategically invest digital assets and generate new returns for the state.
For you, what’s a non-starter when talking about budget cuts? Why? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Raising taxes and expending all of our reserves in our budget stabilization account (rainy day fund). Californians are facing an affordability crisis; we cannot add fiscal pressure with any new taxes. While our budget reserve is designed for years of budget shortfalls, our deficit is expected to last for years. We spent years building up our reserves; we cannot spend them all in one year.
What are the top three most pressing issues facing the state, and what would you propose, as a state legislator, to address them? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Affordability, housing and homelessness, and challenges with the federal government related to immigration are three of the most pressing issues facing our state.
To address rising costs, the legislature needs to pause proposals that would lead to higher costs, such as new climate mandates that can increase utility costs or new taxes on businesses, which can be passed down to consumers. To address housing and homelessness, the state must streamline housing production to bolster the housing stock, creating opportunities for homeownership and preventing families from falling into homelessness. To mitigate immigration impacts, the state should continue to provide legal services to undocumented individuals, so they avoid possible deportation, apply for citizenship, and remain a part of the workforce.
What specific policy would you champion in the statehouse to improve the cost of living for residents? Would you see this having an immediate impact on Californians or would it take some time? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I’m actively supporting policies designed to increase housing production so rent prices can decrease and more Californians can buy a home, while creating more high-quality jobs in construction. By addressing the housing crisis, we can also address transportation and climate issues, since individuals would not have to commute as far, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, owning a home creates generational wealth and incentivizes Californians to stay here and not relocate to another state.
There have been numerous efforts made in the state legislature to curtail federal immigration enforcement in California, from prohibitions on agents wearing masks to banning federal officers from future employment in a public agency. Do you see any area where the state could better protect its residents from the federal government’s widespread immigration crackdown? Would you prefer the state work more hand-in-hand with the federal government on immigration? Where does the role as a state legislator fall into your beliefs here? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
The federal government is overstepping when it comes to immigration. They are illegally holding U.S. citizens, deporting children with cancer who are receiving treatment, and deporting veterans who have fought to defend our nation. Until the federal government is willing to have an honest conversation about immigration reform, our state legislature will do everything in our power to protect the rights of immigrants.
Health care costs — like in many other areas — are continuing to rise. What policies, specifically, would you support or like to champion that could lower premiums or out-of-pocket expenses? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
We need to continue working with our state’s healthcare providers to craft policies that expand access to care, invest in preventive care, and lead to better health outcomes.
Would you support expanding state health care programs to ensure more residents — including those who are not citizens — are covered? How would you propose the state fund such an expansion? Or, how would you propose the people who cannot afford health care still get the necessary care they need without expanding state programs? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I believe strongly that every Californian deserves access to quality healthcare, and I’m proud of the work our state has done to expand coverage. This work is more critical than ever, given the cuts we’ve seen from the federal government. We need to address our doctor and nurse shortages, invest in healthcare infrastructure, and ensure that hospitals and clinics in rural communities have the resources they need to remain open.
As part of combating homelessness, elected officials often talk about the need to prevent people from losing their homes in the first place. What policies or programs should the state adopt to make housing more affordable for renters and homeowners? What do you propose the state do to incentivize housing development and expedite such projects? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
The homelessness crisis is compounded by the lack of available housing stock. The demand for housing continues to outpace supply, causing home prices to soar. The state needs to increase the supply of all types of housing, from affordable housing units to duplexes, condominiums, and single-family homes. In addition, expanding programs like the First Time Homebuyers Program will help in achieving homeownership for Californians. To incentivize development, the state must invest in housing tax credits for developers, streamline the rezoning process, and provide exemptions or flexibility for new homes and electrification requirements.
I’m proud to support the upcoming ballot measure to reform CEQA, an important step toward making it easier and faster to build new housing.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law in 2023 authorizing state energy regulators to penalize oil companies making excessive profits. But the California Energy Commission put off imposing the penalties last year after two oil refineries, which represent nearly a fifth of California’s refining capacity, said they would shut down operations. Those announcements prompted many to be concerned about soaring gas prices. What do you think of the commission’s decision? And how would you, as a state legislator, propose balancing California’s climate goals with protecting consumers from high gas prices at the pump? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Californians are extremely vulnerable to gas price fluctuations. The declining availability of refineries in the state concentrates cost pressures. For years, the industry has expressed challenges with operating in the state, from strict clean fuel standards to lengthy permitting; these regulations, layered with the reality that so few refineries remain in the state, lead to higher gas prices at the pump.
When it comes to the state’s climate goals, a key consideration for legislators and regulators is the impact on consumers, especially before additional regulations are mandated. The Legislature should exercise its oversight of current climate and transportation policies and conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine which policy changes could provide relief for consumers.
In 2024, voters approved Proposition 36 to increase penalties for certain drug and retail theft crimes and make available a drug treatment option for some who plead guilty to felony drug possession. Would you, as a legislator, demand that more funding for behavioral health treatments be included in the budget? How would you ensure that money is used properly? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Voters overwhelmingly approved Prop. 36, signaling a desire to hold offenders accountable for their actions. Implementing Prop. 36 requires an investment in our courts, county jails, and behavioral health treatment. I support finding the funding needed to implement this measure.
What role should the state play in ensuring hospitals and doctors are providing gender-affirming care to LGBTQ+ residents? Similarly, what role do you believe the state could play should other states adopt policies that restrict that care? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
California has consistently reaffirmed its support for LGBTQ+ residents and will continue to do so. The state can exercise its oversight authority to ensure that hospitals and doctors comply with care standards and laws.
Governments around the world are increasingly considering an age ban or other restrictions on social media use among young people, citing mental health and other concerns. Do you believe it’s the state’s responsibility to regulate social media use? Why or why not? And what specific restrictions or safeguards would you propose as a state lawmaker? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
There is a delicate balance to regulating social media use. Our youth, and particularly our young men, are experiencing a crisis like never before. Young men account for 80% of all suicides, and without assistance, social media can exacerbate mental health issues. The state has a responsibility to address this health crisis, and part of that conversation needs to include potential guardrails for social media use, along with other issues such as a lack of community, purpose, and mentorship.
Artificial intelligence has become a ubiquitous part of our lives. Yet public concerns remain that there aren’t enough regulations governing when or how AI should be used, and that the technology would replace jobs and leave too many Californians unemployed. How specifically would you balance such concerns with the desire to foster innovation and have California remain a leader in this space? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
Like any new technology, the advancement of AI creates both opportunities and challenges. I think the legislature’s priority should be to ensure AI is used to help businesses, workers, and industries in ways that enhance jobs rather than replace workers. We also need to guard against the spread of misinformation and ensure that AI isn’t being used to mislead the public.
I believe that innovation is key to future economic growth, so I’m hopeful that AI technologies, used correctly, can help California’s businesses and workforce succeed.
Statistically, violent crime rates in California is on the decline, but still, residents are not feeling safe or at ease in their communities. How do you see your role in the state legislature in addressing the underlying issues that make Californians feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
The state has to implement Prop. 36, which voters overwhelmingly approved. We also need to continue to reduce homelessness through investments in mental health and addiction treatment.
What’s a hidden talent you have? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
I can hold my own pretty well on a grill. My ribeye never disappoints!