’16 election queries: J. Ervin
Author’s note: I am reaching out to our local, county, state, and congressional candidates to report their views. I selected a narrow set of concerns that I believe have the most dramatic impact on our daily lives here in the Santa Clarita Valley. They are: transparency in government, reform of the criminal justice system and social welfare programs.
Following The Signal’s publication of my piece on Scott Wilk running for the 21st California Senate seat (Aug. 9), I had hoped that Wilk’s opponent, Johnathon Ervin, would be the next in the article cycle so that our Signal readers could compare their views and cast thoughtful votes.
Just one day home from military reserve deployment in Korea, Master Sergeant Ervin, or as we know him candidate for state Senate Johnathon Ervin, was kind enough to interview with me to get this out on time.
Ervin, a Flint, Michigan, native, lives in the Antelope Valley and is employed in aerospace there.
When asked about transparency in government, Ervin described his disdain for virtually unlimited political contributions by the wealthy and expressed his concerns that there is unfair influence by lobbyists on public policy.
“I am a clean money guy. Addressing transparency in government starts with the money. America is frustrated with how money influences government. This has to end.” Ervin said.
He expressed his view that voters should be the decisionmakers in public policy, not special interests and lobbyists.
When asked specifically what measures he endorses, Ervin expressed support of SB215 (Leno) which gives authority of the California Public Utilities Commission over California public utilities. This measure is thought to improve government transparency and mandates the open reporting of expenditures.
SB215 would also disqualify commissioners from serving who have conflicts of interest.
Just like Wilk, Ervin supports Proposition 54, which requires public publication of the language of any proposed bill at least 72 hours prior to a vote in the state Senate or Assembly.
When it comes to our criminal justice system, Ervin explained his grandfather helped shape his views and how to address crime.
“I was raised as part of a neighborhood watch. My grandfather organized our neighbors to stay in close contact with law enforcement. He confronted drug dealers on our street and had the full support of our local police. I learned that community policing is effective and is the key to reducing crime and keeping neighborhoods safe for our families,” Ervin said.
Reducing crime, Ervin said, is contingent on four
(Johnathon Ervin) said a large homeless population needs to be addressed with comparable funding and not just rhetoric.
things: understanding the nature of crime, implementing an effective strategy to reduce crime, providing ample funding, and “putting enough boots on the ground.”
Ervin believes the 2014 ballot measure at Proposition 47, which was passed by voters, has failed. Some crimes that were reduced to misdemeanors, such as dispensing date rape drugs and carrying illegal firearms, should be restored as felonies, he said.
Shifting toward a discussion of government welfare programs, Ervin chose to focus on providing a diverse range of employment opportunities as key to reducing the cost of government subsidies.
“There is a need for more healthcare professionals. When my daughter broke her elbow while playing, we had to drive all the way down to Los Angeles for a children’s hospital. This shows the need for more trained folks here at home. Training for many other stable professions like engineering and software development are needed as we grow our local economy.”
When asked what he would do as a state senator to address social programs, Ervin said he would like to establish local four-year college programs to enhance ongoing education for health professionals at College of the Canyons, Antelope Valley College and Victor Valley College.
“Idle hands are the devil’s tools. Getting every ablebodied citizen to gain meaningful work and earn a mortgage-paying income is key to reducing both crime and welfare programs.
“Offering valuable education in the end will cut some of the $11 billion we spend a year on the justice system and the $13 billion we spend on social welfare programs,” Ervin said.
When asked about the local homeless crisis, Ervin pointed out one-third of California’s homeless are in Los Angeles County. He said a large homeless population needs to be addressed with comparable funding and not just rhetoric.
Ervin supports reallocating funds from Proposition 63, the 2004 voter-approved measure also known as the Mental Health Services Act, to address homelessness. He said he believes this would put money where it is needed without raising taxes.
I found Ervin to be sincere and passionate about service and making a difference.