Ahead of the November general 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.
MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide
Name: Efren Martinez
Current job title: Business-owner
Political party affiliation: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: Chair of Planning Commission, City of Huntington Park; Chair of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education Compensation Review Committee
City where you reside: Los Angeles
Campaign website or social media: www.EfrenMartinez.com
It’s no secret that California will play an outsized role in AI development and regulation. That was a big topic for the legislature this year, but what is one way you’d like to see the legislature tackle concerns about bias or transparency in the AI space or encourage innovation and start-ups? (Please be specific in your response, and keep your answer to 200 words or less.)
In my opinion an effective approach is to implement a comprehensive framework for ethical AI guidelines. The framework should require technology companies to conduct regular bias audits while making sure they provide clear disclosures about their AI systems, including their decision-making processes and the data sets used for training.
Additionally, we can encourage innovation by establishing a state-funded AI innovation incubator program for startups. It would provide resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities for emerging companies focused on developing transparent and equitable AI technologies. Collaborating with universities and research institutions can also foster a talent pipeline that emphasizes ethics in AI development.
Before California voters this year is a proposition to increase the state’s minimum wage to $18 per hour, the nation’s highest, by 2026. Do you support increasing the minimum wage in this way? Why or why not? (Please keep your answer to 150 words or less.)
I absolutely support the economic well-being of our communities, and understand the importance of ensuring that workers are paid fairly to include minimum wage increases. However, before we move forward with increasing the minimum wage, we must urgently address the root causes of economic hardship in communities like mine in South LA, particularly the rising costs of basic needs such as rent, food, utilities, gas, etc.
These inflationary pressures are significant barriers for many families in my community, making it challenging to meet their everyday expenses. Wage increases without tackling these fundamental issues will not provide the relief our community desperately needs.Therefore, while I recognize the need for higher wages, I will advocate to implement measures to control the cost of living. This will help ensure that our community benefits from real meaningful economic improvements that truly enhance their quality of life.
This year, California faced a large budget deficit that put a strain on lawmakers’ ability to fund certain programs and projects going forward. What is one thing you believe the state should do to avoid such large deficits in the future? (Please be specific in your answer, and limit it to 150 words or less.)
Just like every resident of California, our state must learn to live within its means and not spend beyond its budget. For example, a single mother in South Central LA may wish to buy steak and lobster for her family daily, but her limited income forces her to make humble choices, like chicken, rice and beans. Similarly, the state should not overextend itself financially; we need to stop placing the burden of mismanagement on the hardworking families of our State.
To avoid future budget deficits, the legislature must treat taxpayer money with the same care as that single mother would with her budget. This requires prioritizing essential services and making difficult choices. Instead of creating new programs without sustainable funding, we should focus on developing new revenue streams that do not overtax our communities. In essence, we should not spend what we don’t have and learn to maximize what we do.
Speaking of the budget, there are multiple proposed bond measures before voters this year. Is the state in a good place to issue bonds for state programs and infrastructure projects? Should certain programs or projects be prioritized over others? (Please be specific in your response, and keep your answer to 200 words or less.)
As we consider issuing bonds, it’s crucial to evaluate our current fiscal health and overall priorities. While bonds can be a valuable tool for funding essential initiatives, we must ensure that our state’s budget is stable enough to handle the debt service without jeopardizing our core services.
I believe it’s important to prioritize projects that offer long-term benefits and address pressing needs. Infrastructure improvements, such as upgrading transportation networks and modernizing water systems, should be top priorities, as they enhance economic growth and public safety. Additionally, investing in our education and healthcare infrastructure can be provide significant return on investment in terms of workforce development and overall community well-being.
Cost of living is high on the list of concerns among voters, particularly among younger people. What is one bipartisan proposal you have to alleviate concerns about high prices or the cost of living in California? (Please be specific in your response, and limit it to 200 words.)
To address the high cost of living in communities like South LA, we need to tackle the root causes of economic hardship, particularly the rising costs of rent, food, utilities, and gas. A key bipartisan proposal I advocate for is increasing the supply of affordable housing and reducing gas prices.
On affordable housing, we should streamline zoning regulations and incentivize the construction of low- and middle-income housing. By making it easier and more appealing for developers to build affordable units, we can increase the supply of available homes, thereby lowering rents and improving accessibility for residents.
Regarding gas prices, we need to focus on boosting supply. Supporting policies that promote energy independence and investment in alternative energy sources can help improve supply and reduce prices at the pump.
Finding common ground on these issues involves working collaboratively across party lines to implement practical solutions that address both housing and energy costs. By focusing on these strategies, we can make meaningful progress in reducing the overall cost of living and enhancing economic stability for our communities.
The legislature this year considered recommendations from a first-in-the-nation task force that considered how California could atone for past racism and discrimination against Black people, including potential compensation. What do you believe is the role of the state in atoning for the atrocities committed against Black people? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
The state has a crucial role in addressing past injustices and working towards equity for Black and Brown communities. Given that my community is comprised mostly of black and brown constituency, I will champion several key initiatives.
First, I support reparations legislation aimed at addressing the historical and ongoing harms caused by racial inequality. This includes financial reparations meant for creating programs to uplift affected individuals and communities.
Second, investing in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) is vital. Ensuring that the next generation of Black leaders has equal access to quality education will help level the playing field.
Third, we must work to eradicate systemic racism and inequity in our schools and workplaces. This involves implementing comprehensive reforms to ensure fair treatment and opportunities.
Finally, bridging the digital divide is essential. I will work on legislation to make high-speed internet affordable and accessible, particularly for our youth, to provide equal opportunities for education and advancement.
My goal is to build a community that stands for freedom, justice, dignity, and opportunity for all. These steps are crucial in making meaningful progress towards equity and atonement.
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently ordered state agencies to remove homeless encampments on state property and urged cities to follow through. What else do you propose the state do to help eradicate homelessness? (Please limit your response to 200 words or less.)
Having experienced housing insecurity myself, I am profoundly committed to ensuring that everyone has a stable place to call home and access to basic necessities like three meals a day. While removing encampments is an important step to maintain safety and cleanliness, it is crucial that we also address the root causes of homelessness to achieve lasting solutions.
We must expand affordable housing and enhance support services, such as mental health care and job training, to help individuals transition out of homelessness. Simultaneously, we need to take a proactive approach to clearing encampments to restore safety and accessibility for our community—ensuring our streets, schools, parks, and public spaces are secure and welcoming for all, including our children and families. This balanced approach will help us address immediate needs while working toward long-term stability and opportunity for everyone.
Similarly, Gov. Gavin Newsom has urged county leaders to take advantage more of a new state law that makes it easier to place someone with severe mental health or substance abuse issues into conservatorships, an effort to keep more people out of homelessness. But local leaders in Southern California have said they need more time and resources to build, fund and staff more mental health facilities. Is there anything the legislature could — or should — do to aid communities struggling to find the resources to properly provide this type of mental health support? (Please be specific in your answer, and limit the response to 200 words or less.)
When elected, I intend to propose improvements to the new state conservatorship law to make the process smoother for families looking to help their loved ones while providing the metal health professionals more autonomy with layers of accountability rails and resources to prevent abuse by families seeking conservatorship. I believe there is a need for adequate mental health facilities with staff and funding; but, I also believe that some of the challenges being cited serve as excuses by elected officials to not clean-up encampments and our communities. The legislature can play a crucial role by streamlining the process for obtaining and allocating funds specifically for mental health infrastructure. Additionally, we should focus on incentivizing the rapid development of facilities through public-private partnerships and innovative funding models. Training and support for local agencies can also be enhanced to ensure effective implementation of conservatorships. It’s essential to balance these practical steps with a commitment to improving mental health services and preventing homelessness, but we must also hold ourselves accountable for overcoming obstacles and not letting them become barriers to progress or excuses.
What’s the No. 1 song on your playlist while you’re on the campaign trail?
On a Sunday Afternoon – Lighter Shade of Brown
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