Diane Dixon, AD-72 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire

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: Diane Dixon

Current job title: Assemblymember, District 72

Political party affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: Yes

Other political positions held: Former Mayor of Newport Beach and Newport Beach Councilmember

City where you reside: Newport Beach

Campaign website or social media: www.dianedixonforassembly.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 technology presents a significant challenge to the world as advancements in AI are outpacing our understanding of them. We must take decisive action to ensure the security of the population is safeguarded while protecting the rights of individuals and businesses. The goal of any regulation is to find balance and the California Legislature hasn’t done that yet. SB 1047, for example, grants the attorney general broad litigation authority over AI developers. I am working with tech companies and my colleagues to find a balance that protects consumers.

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.)

Californians are facing tougher economic conditions with inflation rates not seen since the Great Depression. However, here’s the truth: Raising the minimum wage will result in consequences that will make matters worse. We have already seen the effects of raising the minimum wage with the implementation of the law that increased fast food workers’ wages earlier this year.

Here were the disastrous consequences: Reduced job opportunities as businesses have laid off employees in favor of lower-wage options, including computer automation; higher unemployment rates across the industry; shuttered businesses that can’t afford the higher costs; fewer consumer choices; employee benefits being cut to offset the higher wages; and increased prices.

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.)

Our tax base is fleeing California, and our spending is rising. We must replenish the state’s rainy day fund and avoid one-time funding gimmicks that offer short-term solutions to a structural problem. The fact of the matter is: The state’s budget is bloated and is in dire need of restructuring.

Recent IRS data shows that in a two-year span, California policies forced taxpayers to leave California resulting in a loss of $102 billion in taxpayer income throughout the state. Our state needs to protect its taxpayers and put their needs first. Over the last few years, our state has become increasingly difficult for business. Our focus needs to be on creating a business-friendly environment that retains those that we do have left and incentivizes others to return. Unfortunately, California over-litigates, overregulates and over taxes its individual and business taxpayers.

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.)

I have little confidence in the state’s record of implementing capital projects funded by the taxpayers. I do support voter-approved bonds for local school districts as these measures allow the funds to be allocated directly to the school districts.

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.)

We need to cut the gas tax which is inexplicably two times our neighbors of Nevada and Arizona, and reform the California Air Resource Board from enacting policy that will raise gas prices of $.47 a gallon in the next year. I have introduced legislation targeting the neverending annual rise of our gas prices. Gas prices affect the price of goods and services across the board, making inflation worse and hitting working families the hardest.

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 of California’s role is not to atone for racism in the past, and it is certainly not the role of the taxpayers.

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.)

When Gov. Gavin Newsom was mayor of San Francisco, he famously proclaimed he would end homelessness in 10 years. We just marked the 20-year anniversary of that plan’s inception. In fact, over the past decade, despite billions in state expenditures, California’s homeless population has surged by 53%.

Earlier this year, a bipartisan coalition of legislators requested an audit of the state’s homelessness spending. The findings were shocking: State agencies could not account for the $23 billion of the funding, and there was a significant lack of verification regarding both failures and successes. Shockingly, very little information was documented on where the money was spent. No transparency. No accountability. Unacceptable.

The governor’s warning to withhold additional funding unless local governments took stronger action against homelessness is long overdue, but I’m afraid it is more lip service than actual policy.

To effectively tackle homelessness, our approach must begin with accountability and transparency. We need a comprehensive plan that addresses the underlying causes of homelessness and helps individuals transition off the streets and we need swift action.

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.)

There are more than enough funds and resources. The state needs to end its stranglehold on resources that could be better distributed at the local level. The bipartisan audit of California’s homeless program proved that the state shouldn’t be trusted in creating a statewide program.

What’s the No. 1 song on your playlist while you’re on the campaign trail?

“California Dreamin,’” by The Beach Boys.