Mike's Issue Priorities

Jobs / Economy:

We have a big job to do. Our county’s jobless rate is 11.3 percent and climbing. A record 28,000 people are looking for work. And if we include the under-employed, the rate goes up to more than 20 percent. Behind these statistics are real families with children or aging parents who suddenly don’t know how they’re going to make ends meet.

We need leaders who are doing everything possible to create jobs and keep our economy growing. And we need to do it in one of the toughest budget environments in modern memory. That’s why I am offering the following proposals to keep Sonoma County working.

My plan, Getting the Job Done for Sonoma County, has six steps:

1) Adopt a “Sonoma County First” policy that steers jobs and projects funded by our tax dollars to qualified Sonoma County workers and their families first.

2) Create a goal to steer at least 25 percent of all county funds spent on green initiatives to local workers and businesses – to create green jobs here at home and encourage local environmental innovation.

3) Work collaboratively to enhance our county’s Economic Development Board with a specific target of attracting or helping to create 100 new businesses in Sonoma County that employ between 10 and 20 residents.

4) Step up job training for high school students who may not go to college (up to 70 percent of all high school students in California will not obtain a 4-year degree).
 
5) Focus on partnerships, not partisanship, by bringing all sides to the table. I am proud that the leaders of our county’s largest business and labor organizations have endorsed my plan.

6) Work with local businesses to increase access to broadband and cellular service in the rural areas in the county.

I have always said it will take all of us to solve the tough problems ahead. That’s why I will work hand-in-hand with my colleagues on the board and community stakeholders to take the bold steps we need to accomplish these goals.

Click here to read the full plan.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the full plan.

 

Education:

Tough times bring opportunities to innovate and focus on what matters most.
 
That’s why I am proposing a Common-Sense Contract with Kids – an education plan to focus county government on doing everything it can today to make sure our kids are prepared to compete for the jobs of tomorrow.
 
Our contract focuses on three key areas:
 
1) Creating a sustainable workforce by giving job skills and opportunities to kids who may not go to college – up to 70 percent of California high school students.

2) Freeing up money for classroom education through the use of innovative joint purchasing and joint use agreements that work to pool county and school district resources to save money.

3) Prioritizing student safety by making a more proactive committment to the successful Safe Routes to School Program.

Click here to read the full plan.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the full plan.

 

Environment:

As the grandson of Alexander Valley farmers, I spent my youth working the rich soils of Northern Sonoma County.  It’s from these roots that my fierce commitment to environmental stewardship, conservation and smart water policy grew.  As a member of the Healdsburg City Council, I have a successful track record of protecting our open spaces and waterways and proactively implementing smart growth principles. As a member of the Board of Supervisors, I will make the environment a priority once again in Northern Sonoma County. I earned Sonoma County Conservation Action’s “Upstream Swimmer Award” for environmental achievement in 2008 and the Healdsburg City Council was recently awarded the distinguished “Friend of the River Award” by the Russian Riverkeeper organization for our work on restoring and protecting the Russian River and Foss Creek.  As a member of the newly formed Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority, I am working on proactive policies that will combat climate change. I will ensure that our communities and county will continue to be leaders in Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction standards.

 

Agriculture:

My grandparents were prune growers and grape growers in the Alexander Valley for almost a half century. I understand, first hand, the needs of our local farmers, and that agriculture is one of the largest segments of our County’s economy. As a member of the Board of Supervisors, I will work with our agriculture community to ensure they have the tools needed to succeed and to ensure we are working together on sustainable farming practices. The Board of Supervisors needs to proactively protect and enhance our agricultural heritage. Sonoma County is blessed to have such a robust agricultural community that provides not just world class wines, but food for our tables and jobs for our residents.

 

Healthcare:

In Sonoma County over 60,000 people currently do not have healthcare coverage (over 3,000 of them are children) and thousands more are dangerously under-insured.  We need a system that makes it possible for everyone to have a "medical home" so people are not using our local emergency rooms as their primary care facilities.  Using ER's as primary care centers is a pattern that continues to drive up costs and is an extremely inefficient way to care for our citizens.  The County can and should partner with our local district hospitals and clinics, along with our larger health care institutions, to help ensure healthcare providers have the tools they need to remain patient focused and can continue to serve our communities. We have some of the best healthcare minds right here in Sonoma County, and I will be tapping them, as well as others, to find a way to make quality healthcare, including mental health, affordable and accessible in Sonoma County. 

 

Transportation:

As a councilmember and member of the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, I have fought to save public transit from budget cuts. In addition, I have long supported and worked to keep Sonoma County moving through widening Highway 101 and expanding pedestrian and bicycle-friendly corridors.

I have also worked to establish and promote the construction of the SMART train that will soon become an important part of our County's transportation solutions. In Healdsburg, I have been a strong advocate of the rebuilding of our SMART train station which will break ground in the spring of 2010.  Having a commuter rail system will help alleviate traffic on 101 and be a core part of the foundation of building a stronger local economy.

 

Communication:

The Board of Supervisor’s own "Strategic Plan" documents very specifically state that there is a vast lack of communication between the Board and the people who implement policy and spend money for the county.  It is impossible to create a responsible, balanced budget without cross department communication and engagement from the residents and leaders of our local communities.


We need greater communication and understanding between County departments and County residents, and the Board of Supervisors MUST lead this effort.  I have spent a large part of my time in local office bringing parties together and creating an understanding and public awareness of the government process.  Communication must become a larger part of the Board of Supervisors’ mission. I will continue my track record of bringing transparency to local government as well as sitting down one-on-one with the residents of Northern Sonoma County.