California State Treasurer and candidate for Lieutenant Governor Fiona Ma joined KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala on California Politics 360 for a wide-ranging conversation about the challenges facing Californians and how she would approach the job of Lieutenant Governor.
Throughout the interview, Fiona returned to a principle that has guided her public service and her campaign: listen first.
“I travel to all 58 counties. I listen, I try to solve people’s problems, and that is my commitment,” Fiona told KCRA.
That commitment is at the heart of 58 Counties. 1 California., Fiona’s effort to visit communities across the state, hear directly from Californians and better understand the very different challenges facing different regions.
California is one state, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
From families struggling with affordability to small businesses navigating regulations, farmers facing changing markets and water challenges, students looking for affordable educational opportunities, and communities trying to build more housing, Fiona believes state leaders need to understand what is happening on the ground before deciding what Sacramento should do.
In the interview, Fiona discussed bringing ideas to state government from the “bottom up versus top down,” working directly with local communities and stakeholders to identify regulations and policies that may no longer be working as intended.
Making California More Affordable and Competitive
Fiona also discussed the economic pressures affecting Californians and California businesses.
She pointed to challenges she recently heard directly from wine grape growers in Lodi as an example of why statewide policymakers need to understand local economies. She discussed the impact of changing markets, regulations, water infrastructure and other pressures facing California agriculture.
Her goal is straightforward: bring the people affected by these policies to the table, listen to what is and is not working, and find practical solutions that help California remain competitive.
Housing is another major part of that work. As State Treasurer, Fiona has worked with programs that finance affordable housing throughout California. In her KCRA interview, she highlighted the importance of building more housing, including housing that can help California students afford to attend college.
Experience to Get Things Done
Fiona also spoke about the relationships she has built throughout her career in public service and her experience working with legislators, local elected officials and community leaders across party lines.
As Lieutenant Governor, she would bring that experience to the office while serving on some of California’s most important boards and commissions and working with the Governor and Legislature on issues affecting communities across the state.
For Fiona, it comes back to showing up.
Listening to farmers and small business owners.
Listening to students and working families.
Listening to veterans, seniors and local leaders.
And recognizing that the best solutions often begin with the people who understand their communities best.
58 Counties. 1 California.
Watch Fiona’s full interview with KCRA’s California Politics 360
