Recently, I submitted my proud endorsement of Mr. Peter Kuo for State Senator, District 10. I wrote of a great family man, one who has lived “The American Dream” and one who has built businesses from the ground up, creating jobs, managing budgets and having to live within means. California could take a few lessons from my friend Peter.
Today, I’m writing to discuss more practical reasons as to why I’m supporting Peter Kuo.
In the last few weeks, I’ve had the great opportunity to follow his campaign closer and see just how much Peter is really needed in Sacramento. He recognizes that small businesses are such an important mechanism for job creation, but sometimes in California, people feel you almost have to be wealthy just to start a new company.
Therefore Peter is proposing a moratorium on the franchise tax to start up a small business. New York State has done something similar and has seen an increase in small businesses in this once very unfriendly business environment.
Often maligned, larger companies like Tesla need help too. In September of 2014, Tesla announced that instead of building its new battery factory in California, perhaps even in our district, that it would build in Nevada. Nevada, already a much friendlier state for corporations if for no other reason than because it does not have the overbearing regulations that California has, sometimes causing a company years worth of delays in building.
Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk was quick to cite this. The $1.2 billion in tax breaks that Nevada offered Tesla will result in enhanced revenue for years to come that will help with public safety, education, and infrastructure.
Peter recognizes the intertwined issues of crime, poverty, and the economy along with education. He realizes we need a booming economy to bring in the much needed tax revenue to fund our schools. Kids living in poverty cannot possible get a good education, and many live in crime ridden neighborhoods.
Speaking of Crime, AB 109, championed by legislatures like Peter’s opponent Bob Wieckowski has allowed dangerous criminals back on the street and out of prison early. Crime statewide has gone up since the passing of AB 109. Peter will assure that any prison reform to ease the stress on overcrowded prisons will not included such drastic measures.
Peter will protect commuters who rely on BART from dangerous BART union strikes. BART is not just a convenient means of public transit, but an important way of protecting our environment, an important way for teachers and public safety workers to travel, and a necessary vehicle for those disabled to get to work or school. Peter will put commuters first.
Peter will assure that college admission is based on merit, not race and will fight any further attempt to bring back SCA-5, a bill that would drastically impact Asian and Indo-American college admissions to the UC and California State School system by punishing those over-performing groups.
Instead Peter will focus on making sure every kid graduates high school ready for college or their further career, so that such racial discrimination will not even be discussed. He will also fight against any of the future plans of the legislature to promote “Affirmative Action” in the work place. We need to keep Silicon Valley filled with the greatest talent on earth… ability is what should count, not race!
Finally, while Peter will most certainly promote an “all of the above” energy plan, he will not vote for added gas taxes as his opponent has. In January 2015, gas tax is expected to increase up to 40 cents per gallon.
Workers in SD-10 cannot afford that, and we need to be careful not to implement such measures while there is not a viable every day alternative for middle class workers. When electric cards, hybrids etc are more affordable, then we can talk about cutting down on gas.
A reminder, one half of a billion people voted for our new Prime Minister in India in the recent election. We need to take matters into our own hands and assure proper representation in Sacramento by a man who will truly represent every family in our district. Peter’s outreach to every community, every political affiliate in the district has been unprecedented. I urge you to vote for Peter Kuo for Senator, and give him the honor of representing your family in Sacramento.
Dr Romesh Japra
