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: Kipp Mueller
Current job title: Workers’ Rights Attorney
Political party affiliation: Democrat
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: N/A
City where you reside: Canyon Country
Campaign website or social media: www.kippforsenate.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.)
California’s leadership in AI development presents a unique opportunity to set the standard for ethical and transparent innovation. One way the legislature can address concerns about bias in AI is by establishing a regulatory framework that mandates transparency in AI algorithms. This could involve requiring companies to provide clear documentation on how their AI systems are trained, tested, and evaluated to ensure that they are free from discriminatory biases. Such a framework could also incentivize regular audits of AI systems, particularly those used in hiring, criminal justice, and healthcare, to prevent harmful outcomes from biased algorithms.
At the same time, the legislature should encourage innovation by offering tax incentives and grants to start-ups focused on ethical AI development. Creating an innovation hub where businesses can collaborate with universities and research institutions will drive growth while ensuring accountability. By striking a balance between regulation and support, we can foster a thriving AI ecosystem that benefits everyone in California. Finally, and importantly, it is both a national security and economic imperative that we allow our AI companies to be in the lead globally.
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.)
Doing everything we can to make our economy work for middle-class families is my top priority. Raising the wage will help workers keep up with the rising cost of living in California, providing them with the means to afford basic necessities like housing, healthcare, and education. It also boosts local economies by increasing consumer spending, which benefits small businesses. While we must remain mindful of the potential challenges for employers, especially small businesses, this increase can lead to a more stable and equitable workforce. Phasing in the wage hike gradually allows businesses time to adjust and plan for the change.
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.)
To avoid large deficits in the future, California should focus on investing heavily in our rainy day fund during flush years. We have to go into good budget years knowing the bad years are around the corner and plan accordingly. That means that when we have a huge surplus, our first inclination has to be setting money aside. We should also evaluate which programs are economically efficient and where we can find waste and inefficiencies. We cannot spend money without tracking whether the spend was worth it. Accountability and transparency are critically important.
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.)
Issuing bonds for state programs and infrastructure projects can be a smart move under the right circumstances, but it requires careful consideration of the state’s current financial health and priorities. California should focus on critical infrastructure projects like water conservation, wildfire prevention, and housing people can afford, which addresses both immediate needs and long-term challenges. These investments not only enhance quality of life but also protect the state’s economy in the face of climate change and population growth. Issuing new bonds must be balanced against the state’s debt obligations and budget stability. It’s essential that we prioritize projects that provide the greatest return on investment, such as those that create jobs, stimulate local economies, and ensure the state’s resilience to future crises. Before approving new bonds, we need to assess whether we can service them responsibly without worsening budget deficits.
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.)
One bipartisan proposal to address California’s high cost of living is expanding initiatives related to housing affordability through public-private partnerships. By streamlining regulations and permitting processes, we can encourage private developers to build more units, while state and local governments focus on reducing red tape and offering tax incentives for housing projects. This approach would make it easier and quicker to build housing that meets the needs of middle- and lower-income residents.
Additionally, creating workforce housing programs near transit hubs and employment centers would reduce commuting costs and improve quality of life. Encouraging mixed-income housing projects ensures the development of diverse, thriving communities while helping to stabilize housing prices. This balanced approach benefits both younger Californians looking for affordable options and businesses in need of a stable workforce. Expanding housing that people can afford must be a top priority to lower the overall cost of living.
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 role in addressing and atoning for the past racism and discrimination. This begins with acknowledging the systemic injustices that have shaped disparities in education, housing, healthcare, and economic opportunity. The legacy of these injustices continues to affect Black communities, and the government can and should work toward repairing that harm.
One approach is through targeted investments in education, job training, housing access, and healthcare specifically aimed at closing these gaps. Another is providing robust support for Black-owned businesses and ensuring fair access to capital.
Atonement involves addressing these issues, as well as ensuring that future generations do not face the same structural barriers.
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.)
To effectively address homelessness, the state must adopt a comprehensive approach that tackles both immediate needs and long-term solutions. We need to significantly increase the availability of housing people can afford, especially for low-income individuals and families. Expanding housing programs and incentivizing private developers to build more housing units through tax credits or subsidies would help reduce the pressure on the housing market.
We must enhance access to mental health and substance abuse services. Many individuals experiencing homelessness often struggle with these issues, and providing them with accessible, high-quality care is crucial to helping them transition off the streets and into stable environments.
Finally, we need to bring down housing costs, including taxes and insurance premiums. That means building far more housing in this state.
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.)
The legislature can play a crucial role in supporting local communities by allocating more targeted funding for mental health infrastructure and staffing. This includes expanding grant programs to help counties build and upgrade mental health facilities and provide the necessary resources to hire and train mental health professionals. Additionally, the state should work with local governments to streamline the approval process for new facilities, reducing red tape that can delay much-needed services. The state could also allow for more commercial spaces to be converted to mental health support facilities.
Beyond funding, the legislature could also explore creating regional mental health hubs, allowing smaller counties to share resources and provide comprehensive care more efficiently. This collaborative approach would ease the burden on individual counties that may lack the resources to fully address the issue alone.
By focusing on both funding and workforce development, the legislature can ensure that local communities have the support they need to implement effective mental health conservatorships and reduce homelessness.
What’s the No. 1 song on your playlist while you’re on the campaign trail?
Mr. Brightside, The Killers.
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