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: Pilar Schiavo
Current job title: Assemblywoman
Political party affiliation: Democrat
Incumbent: Yes
Other political positions held: n/a
City where you reside: Chatsworth
Campaign website or social media: www.pilar4ca.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.)
Artificial intelligence is already being used across many sectors of the economy, and so when we talk about regulation, we need to talk about use cases and outcomes. One area of concern for me is AI algorithm bias in healthcare, which can lead to mismanaged care. AI sends people down a certain path without giving them all the options, simply because of assumptions based on very basic and simple information about people. And, since so much medical research has been done on white men, there’s a big concern about the data that is being fed into AI and questions around if it’s able to make decisions that reflect our whole community. That’s one of the reasons I supported both AB 3030 and SB 1120, which would create important guardrails around AI use in the healthcare industry. Not only should a patient know if the information they’re receiving from a provider was generated by AI, but they should also have the confidence that an insurance company’s decision to cover a treatment based on an AI’s assessment has a human making the final call, especially if that decision can be the difference between life or death.
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.)
It’s important to find a balance between cost of living, wages, and what businesses can afford, especially small businesses’ ability to handle the increase. Growing up, my parents were small business owners. Oftentimes when money was tight, it was because my dad would pay workers more than he got paid, or pay them and not get paid. So he instilled in me the value of workers and their role in making a business successful. Studies show that when wages don’t keep up with inflation, there are clear impacts – increases in homelessness, food insecurity and dependence on public assistance. It’s clear based on the research, and my 20 years working in the labor movement where I saw firsthand the impacts of making less than a living wage, that when workers are paid a wage that allows them to live, not just survive or struggle, it benefits the economy.
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 address budget shortfalls, we made a big effort this year around transparency and accountability, which must double our efforts to increase. We need to make sure our dollars are well spent and have the outcomes intended. That’s why I introduced AB 2086, which is currently awaiting the Governor’s signature. The legislation would require Caltrans to have greater transparency and review a number of its programs on a regular basis to make sure the money is being well spent and advancing the specified goals of statewide plans and that the public can inspect the progress. During better economic times, we also must continue to put money away in our Rainy Day Fund, which was a key part of the softer landing we were able to have this year, helping to balance the budget.
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.)
When we have budget shortfalls, bonds are a really important tool for us to use to continue to make critical infrastructure investments for the future. When it comes to the bond measures on the ballot this year, they are for two key issues: education and climate. When schools across our state are falling apart, and communities are deeply impacted by wildfires, these are issues that simply can not wait.
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.)
I have authored a number of bills in my first term that received bipartisan support which would reduce construction costs and help address housing affordability, but the one bill I authored this year – which is now on the way to the Governor’s desk – is our “Click to Cancel” bill, which also received bipartisan support. This legislation would immediately put money back in people’s pockets by simplifying the cancellation process for subscription services. This bill will help people keep the approximately $133 they spend each month on subscriptions they don’t use, giving them much needed money for everyday expenses that are already so challenging to afford.
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.)
Educating folks on the real and current impact racism has had over decades is an ongoing conversation that was started this year, which I was glad to see it was initiated by an apology, as that is always the first step to righting a wrong. What we know is that institutional racism and wrongs from the past have led to discrimination, fewer opportunities, worse health outcomes, less generational wealth, higher rates of poverty and homelessness, lower home ownership rates, and more, and those impacts must be addressed and corrected as best we can through a broad conversation in the legislature, with input and direction from the people of California.
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.)
Prior to running for office, I co-founded a non-profit that fought for veteran permanent supportive housing and has worked throughout the west San Fernando Valley. Bringing real solutions to homelessness has always been a top priority of our office and one of the 3 H’s I prioritize – housing, homelessness and healthcare.While this is the first time in years we’ve seen a reduction of those experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles, there is so much more we need to do to ensure people get into permanent housing with the services needed to keep them off the streets, as well as to ensure people struggling with housing costs don’t fall into homelessness.
While interim housing is part of the solution, we need permanent housing if we are to solve this crisis. We have done a lot to tackle both of these issues in my first term, both through legislation that removes red tape and streamlines the state process to get housing built more quickly, and funding and supporting Bridge to Home, Project Room Key and permanent housing.
Unfortunately, homelessness will not be solved overnight – there’s so much more to do, and this work will remain a top priority of mine when re-elected.
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.)
It is clear that, despite billions being invested by the state in the last few years (which is still being distributed), we still don’t have enough treatment facilities or resources to serve those who need mental health treatment and support. This effort will take a joint effort by the state, counties, and cities to work together to find creative solutions. So while the state has invested billions and also through care courts and legislation to solve this issue, we need an all-hands-on-deck approach to make the difference needed.
What’s the No. 1 song on your playlist while you’re on the campaign trail?
“California Love” – 2Pac featuring Dr Dre
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