Candidate Campaign Website and Contact Information (optional):

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1 Candidate Name (as it appears on the ballot): Jerome E. Horton Office Seeking: California State Board of Equalization 3 rd District (BOE) District (Senate and Assembly): Not Applicable Hometown: Los Angeles County Candidate Campaign Website and Contact Information (optional): [email protected] 1. In which ways have you supported the disability community in the past, and how do you plan to continue your support in the future? As Chair of the California Democratic Assembly 51 st District and member of the Inglewood Democratic Club I was an advocate of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 including the legislative expansion of this Act, and every pro-disability legislation and policy. As an advocate for Individuals with Disabilities it has been my honor to continue to serve and protect the employment, housing, contracting, educational and civil rights of this community during my years on the Inglewood City Council from ; as a Member of the State Assembly from ; as a Member of the California Medical Assistance Commission, Workforce Investment Board, Cultural Endowment Board; and currently as Chairman of the State Board of Equalization from

2 2. Do you support the right of a person with a disability to live independently in the community? If so, what would your approach be the ensure people can transition from nursing homes to living independently? Yes. This past year I sponsored legislation and BOE regulations to protect affordable housing for Seniors and the Disabled. I also supported the Senior and Disability Property Tax postponement legislation to protect seniors and the disabled from foreclosure because of property tax assessments. People with disabilities should integrate fully into society, have equal opportunities, and maintain control of their lives. The entire community benefits when all citizens live with self-reliance and dignity. If we continue to effectively collect our state revenues, we can ensure there is adequate funding and resources available to support disability programs and networking organizations. Additional state, federal, and local housing funds should be used for transition services and independent living programs that will provide the support in the areas of affordable & accessible housing, transportation, education, employment, and healthcare. I am conducting an Affordable Housing Seminar on November 13th to educate and empower this community and others to live independently in the community. For more information go to 3. How will you support students with disabilities to receive an accessible and equitable quality education if you are elected? I recently co-sponsored the Board of Equalization 2014 Disability Employment Awareness conference to educate and empower disabled employees to promote equal opportunity for all.

3 I will continue to support and advocate for state legislation that ensures that students with disabilities have equitable access to quality education as a basic human right. One way is to ensure funding is available for future technology that would support much of the effort toward curriculum access, participation, and progress. Technological advances can increase independence, personal productivity, and empowerment. It can facilitate the classroom instruction, and it can transform current curriculum resources into future educational tools to assist disability students. 4. How would you propose to build the capacity of the In Home Supportive Services program to sustain opportunities for seniors and people with disabilities to live independently in their communities? I would advocate for and support legislation that ensures the In Home Supportive Services program has adequate resources and services for Seniors and Adults with Disabilities that promotes a quality system. This includes a system that promotes collaboration among Senior and Disability advocates; Workers and organized labor; the county IHSS administrative agencies; and the county boards of supervisors and county departments. 5. What would you do to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to have access to affordable, accessible, integrated housing? This year, I authored Board of Equalization regulations and sponsored legislation to protect the tax exemption status of Nonprofit Organizations participating in the development of Affordable Housing. This effort will increase opportunities for people with disabilities to have access to affordable, accessible, integrated housing.

4 In addition to legislative advocacy and activism, I have been effective through the Board of Equalization s sponsored outreach and educational events. For example, the above mentioned Affordable Housing outreach event scheduled for November 13, 2014 in the City of Hawthorne will bring together established leaders from corporate, government, and key partner organizations with the goal of building quality affordable housing and providing services for seniors and the disabled community. I have demonstrated in the past that through proper networking, education and outreach solutions can be achieved. 6. What will you do to ensure that people with disabilities are part of the planning and oversight systems for upgrading public transportation systems in California? I would support and advocate for disability advocacy organizations having a key oversight and planning role in public transportation system upgrades in California. The goals should include policies implemented that support the improvements to accessible taxis, buses, trains, and other transportation. Transit agencies need to coordinate with organizations in their communities that work with the disability community and provide for their needs. Examples include area agencies like disability centers, living and care facilities. Public transportation system upgrades should rely on a locally developed, coordinated public transit services planning with oversight that targets the needs of the disability community.

5 7. What would you do to increase job training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities? By working with the legislature and coordinating targeting job credits, workforce investment boards, and similar jobs programs we can increase training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. I believe a quality work force is critical to ensure successful independent living outcomes. It is important that people with disabilities receive competitive living wages, and provided adequate job training and technical assistance. These programs should be available throughout the state. 8. What would you do to protect the rights of people with disabilities to have access to elections and cast an independent and private vote? I would advocate on behalf of the disability community and work with the legislature and Secretary of State to ensure there is adequate access to elections and the ability to cast an independent and private vote. Every effort should be made to ensure there is election access for people with disabilities and they can vote privately and independently by using the latest voting technology equipment. 9. What would you do to ensure that upcoming changes in healthcare delivery for people with disabilities will maintain the integrity and consistency of care on which they have relied? Through networking and collaboration we can advocate and educate professional medical associations, medical educator organizations, healthcare leaders, and the public health community to promote the needs of people with disabilities. Access to quality, affordable health

6 care is the basis for an independent productive life. I support quality physical and mental health care that is accessible, affordable, selfdetermined, and responsive to individual needs. The passage of the Affordable Care Act has opened new opportunities for people with disabilities but we must continue to work together to ensure that new healthcare options meet all the needs of the disability community. 10. In your view, do you think California is spending too much, too little or just the right amount of its resources to support people with disabilities? Please explain. I believe we spend too little of our state resources to support people with disabilities. Services should be funded to the level that is responsive to the needs of the individual and their family members, rather than fitting people into available programs.