When parents and law enforcement said there was a problem with gangs in our communities, I helped launch and run a gang prevention program. We did this without any government assistance. I believe people can do good things without asking the government for help.

In the legislature, I co-authored Chelsea’s Law, to make sure that serious sex offenders who harm children stay behind bars for good.

To combat drunk driving, I supported a law to take away the driver’s license of anyone convicted of a third DUI.

I’m proud that this common sense, no-nonsense approach to public safety earned me the California State Sheriff’s Association’s 2009 Legislator of the Year award.

California’s severe water crisis is hurting farmers, businesses and families. That’s why I played a key role in passing California’s historic water package. I am proud that Democrats and Republicans worked together to find ways to increase water supplies for Valley farmers and ensure clean and reliable drinking water for families.

I led the effort to finance new state reservoirs and canals to protect water supplies for our state’s farmers, and bring additional infrastructure jobs to our region.

I also authored several key water laws: The Safe Drinking Water and Water Supply Reliability Act of 2010 which protects supplies of safe and clean drinking water to our homes, farms and businesses; the Groundwater Reliability Taskforce Act, which protects and enhances the State's critically important groundwater resources; and AB 300, which promotes greater water-use efficiencies in new homes.

Preserving agricultural land protects jobs. When the Governor tried to cut Williamson Act funding – an important local financing resource that keeps land in agricultural production – l fought back. I worked with state agriculture leaders to support successful legislation to not only extend the program, but to also make it work better for counties and farmers.

Every child should be taught the basic skills necessary to obtain a meaningful job that supplies a middle-class living. I support early childhood education, advanced technology in the classroom and vocational education training.

I support shifting more authority and funding for our public schools back to the local level, where parents and taxpayers can see how their money is spent and where we can hold local officials accountable.

As your Senator I will fight for school funding and ensure that all of our children have the opportunity to succeed. We must strive to make California’s public education system number one in our country.

If we want to keep up the quality of life that makes the Valley such a great place to raise our families, we must keep the dream of home ownership accessible.

That’s why I led the way on the state’s $10,000 new homebuyer tax credit, helping first time and new homebuyers with the opportunity to own their own home and be an enriching part of our communities.