Monterey Herald - Election 2016: Panetta Stresses Local Involvement And His Record

Op-Ed

By Jimmy Panetta

Both Monterey and Santa Cruz counties struggle with homelessness. What role can Congress, and you specifically as a member of Congress, play in addressing the problem locally?

A As a board member of the Veterans Transition Center, I have seen how deeply homelessness can affect our veterans and our communities. This issue cannot be ignored, and there must be a comprehensive approach to provide sufficient housing and shelter, nutrition, counseling, mental health services and job training. Unlike my opponent, I believe that we need to address this challenge with a partnership at all levels of government -- local, state and federal. As a member of Congress, I would assist local agencies in obtaining the necessary funding so that our communities can implement wrap-around services to our most vulnerable.

Q Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties share borders but are distinct geographically, economically and politically. How will you become familiar with the needs of each county and prioritize federal assistance to each area?

A I grew up here and this is my home, so I am very familiar with this area and the people of the Central Coast. I attended public schools and Monterey Peninsula College, I am a prosecutor in Salinas, and I have served on numerous nonprofit boards and commissions throughout the region. I know and appreciate the diversity and beauty of our area. As a member of Congress, I will serve constituents and work to bring federal assistance to our district to help educate our children, protect our families, and provide the necessary jobs critical to our diverse economy.

Q Do you plan on establishing local offices? If so, where would they be and how much time would you spend in those offices?

A I have learned from experience that the most important duty of a member of Congress is to serve the individual needs of constituents. Working out of the district offices, I would ensure there is adequate outreach through the proper staffing to serve the constituents from every corner of the district. If I am fortunate enough to be elected, I will come home every possible weekend to be with my family and constituents. I will continue the tradition of holding regular constituent hours and making my offices accessible to anyone in need of congressional services.

Q If elected, what congressional committee would you seek appointment to and why?

A If elected, I believe it is important to represent the economic needs of the district -- agriculture, defense, tourism, and coastal protection. The Appropriations Committee would be my first choice, with the hope of serving on the Agricultural and Defense subcommittees. That would give me the chance to provide resources to every area critical to our local economy. I am particularly concerned about the possibility of another BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) round that would impact our key military installations. Being a member of the Appropriations Committee would give me the leverage to influence decisions in this area.

Q Rep. Sam Farr leaves a legacy of support for coastal protection and agriculture, two areas of immense importance to most Central Coast residents. What additional support do you feel you could provide?

A I will carry on the legacy of our past two congressional members in providing protection for our beautiful coastline and bay, and supporting our agriculture and tourism industries. That ongoing effort is necessary to maintain the uniqueness of this area and bolster the key economic engines of the Central Coast. Both agriculture and tourism depend upon the protection of the workforce, water, farmlands, and coastline, which in turn provide dollars and jobs to this region. My goals include finding a solution for comprehensive immigration reform, an adequate safe water supply, and the completion of the coastal trail along our sanctuary.

Q What do you think of the Obama administration's approach in the Middle East in regard to Syria and ISIS? What would you do differently?

A I believe the U.S. has set the right mission -- to defeat ISIS. We have deployed important elements to the fight -- air strikes, Special Forces, and advisers to support Iraqi and Kurdish ground forces. While I don't support my opponent's proposals for over 20,000 additional U.S. boots on the ground in the Middle East or the use of random patrols in our own country, I do believe we must energize diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and our military efforts must be in line with the recommendations of the Secretary of Defense to remove ISIS from Iraq and Syria.

Q Do you support the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement? Why or why not?

A I support trade agreements, but they must be transparent and provide adequate protection for U.S. employers and employees impacted by foreign goods. Other countries can manipulate their own currency, provide cheap labor, and not impose environmental protections and child labor laws. The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement does not take adequate steps to deal with those issues and, thus, does not do enough to protect the environment abroad and our jobs and workers at home.

Q What has been billed as a more efficient flight path above the Central Coast has drawn thousands of complaints from Santa Cruz County residents and others to the north, as well as a lawsuit filed against a number of the major airlines. Others, however, say the change has finally given them some peace overhead. Do you support the new NextGen routing? What should be done to reduce complaints?

A Federal air flight authorities should not arbitrarily change flight paths. The process should be transparent, with adequate information provided to the public through community involvement and hearings. These decisions affect the quality of life of thousands of citizens and should not be imposed on people without an open and fair process. I would hold public meetings to gain local input and take this feedback to Washington to work with the appropriate agencies to find a solution to meet the needs of all who are impacted. We need to work together, not against each other, in our democracy.

Q (Specific to Jimmy Panetta) Jimmy, this is a year when voters are calling for political change. How do you respond to the charge that you are essentially being handed a powerful political position because of the record of your father, not because of your own accomplishments?

A I am proud of my parents and their legacy of service, but I am running for Congress based on what I have done and what I will continue to do for this community that I have been fortunate enough to always call home. I trust in the good judgment of the people of this area to cast their vote for me because I have earned it -- by what I have achieved in our community and for our country, the values that we share, the principles I stand for, and what I will do as their representative in Congress.

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