Karen Mitchoff

Education During the pandemic, California’s school children fell behind in learning.  Every dollar invested in our children’s education will prepare our students for the opportunities of tomorrow.  This includes expansion of early education, improvements in 3rd-grade literacy, and other efforts to boost student achievement.  For graduates, Karen supports investment in career technical secondary education and ensuring college students have the opportunity to earn a degree in four years. Economy California has untapped potential to attract and develop jobs in new sectors of our economy.  Karen will invest in new entrepreneurs and small businesses and expand access to specialized training for workers, including career technical education. Guns Karen lost her brother to gun violence and believes gun violence is a public health crisis.  She supports investment in poverty-stricken neighborhoods to improve the social and economic factors that contribute to cycles of violence.  She supports restricting firearm advertising to minors, restrictions on ghost guns and allowing victims to sue gun manufacturers. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Safe neighborhoods start with well-trained officers who reflect the communities they serve.  This includes shifting mental health crises away from the police and providing funding to the A3 (Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime) program. Environment / Energy Climate change is a serious threat to our quality of life, our economy and our environment.  We must act now to environmental changes -- like drought, sea level rise, wildfires, and air and water pollutants – if we are to maintain our way of life today and for future generations. Environment / Energy Karen has been a leader in the fight to protect our main water supply – the Delta.  She opposes transfer of our water south through underground tunnels.  Karen supports efforts to improve the Delta ecosystem to keep our water clean and investment in surface and underground storage to combat shortages during drought. Housing Karen understands that a holistic approach is needed to end homelessness. Housing California, and the Bay Area, are well-known for high housing costs.  As the cost-of-living increases, including utilities, child care, food, and gas, Californians are feeling the squeeze.  Karen supports increasing the supply of housing at all income levels to reduce the upward pressure on housing costs. Social Services The senior population is expected to double in the next 20 years and California is not well-equipped to assist our aging residents.  Karen supports investment in services that allows a senior to maintain independence close to their support systems.  Studies show this model of care has better health outcomes and costs less. Healthcare Everyone should have access to health care, and no one should go into debt to get treatment.