Candidates Draw Sharp Contrast in Forum

In a packed forum for candidates in the 21st Senate District, Assemblyman Jack Scott (D-Altadena) clashed Thursday with South Pasadena City Councilman Paul Zee over education reform and state finances.

With the Nov. 7 election just a month away, the two contenders faced off at Glendale Community College in front of more than 100 people, mostly students and teachers.

Given the audience, the two hit hard on their differences on educational reform, including disagreement over Proposition 39, which would reduce the vote required for passage of school bonds from two-thirds to 55%.

Scott, who is former president of Pasadena City College, said he supports the change as a reasonable step to deal with the problem of overcrowded schools.

“There is a tremendous need for facilities and equipment in our schools,” Scott said. Requiring a two-thirds vote, he noted, means one “no” vote is equal to two “yes” votes.

Zee, a Republican, opposes Proposition 39, saying school districts have been able to win a two-thirds vote when they make a good case for bonds.

“I don’t think it’s fair to all the taxpayers, so I do not support Proposition 39,” Zee said.

Both candidates said they oppose Proposition 38, the voucher initiative, but Zee criticized Sacramento for not providing adequate funding for education. He said the $16-billion state surplus should be returned to taxpayers and local communities, including lower fees for community colleges and tax credits for college costs.

Scott said he wrote legislation, signed into law this year, that reduced community college fees from $13 to $12 per unit.

“That is making college affordable,” he said.

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The assemblyman also said he played a role in the state’s allocating $1.8 billion this year for grants to help students with financial needs pay for college.

When Scott boasted that he has had the most bills signed into law during the last four years--47--Zee countered that Sacramento too often approves laws that are meaningless and unenforceable.

“We don’t need quantity. We need quality,” Zee said.

Scott replied that he has already shown he is an effective leader, both in his success rate in getting legislation passed and through his leadership of a committee that played a key role in the ouster of Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush.

“I’ve been in Sacramento. I understand how to get things done there,” Scott said.

Both candidates also called for more education to reduce racial tensions and tougher enforcement of hate-crime laws.

Zee noted he has a historic opportunity to become the first Asian immigrant elected to the Senate seat.

However, Democrats have a big edge in voter registration in the district, and Scott has raised $1.8 million this year, compared with $838,783 raised by Zee.