Dave Jones served out his first two year term as a state assembly member last year. He ran virtually unopposed in the November election, and now that he’s back, Jones says he’s given himself an ambitious “to-do” list for the next two years:
 
 
My main priorities are going to be flood control, children’s poverty, dealing with sprawl, affordable housing and health care.
 
Jones has already introduced a flood control bill for the upcoming session – one that would require cities and counties to accept liability along with the state if they develop in flood prone areas.  On the issue of children’s poverty, Jones says the state could do one simple thing to make a difference.
 
We need to look at things like how can we improve our child support collections.  You know, the state of California ranks close to the bottom of all 50 states in how good a job we’re doing in collecting child support.
 
When it comes to sprawl and affordable housing, Jones proposes withholding transportation funds if cities and counties don’t deal with the issues:
 
Come up with land use plans that encourage walking and bicycling and public transit, that encourage mixing workplaces and places to shop and dine with housing, so people have a chance to walk and they don’t have to spend so much time in their cars.
 
As for health care, Jones says he’s anxious to see Governor Schwarzenegger’s plan for covering uninsured Californians, an idea Jones supports. In fact, Jones is looking forward to working with the Governor on a number of issues:
 
I think there’s some thing on which we disagree, some things on which we agree.  The goal is to try to identify as many of those things as we can and try and get things done.
 
 
Before his political life, Jones was a legal aide lawyer helping the poor.  He says that’s what drives him now.  Jones also says he got help from an unusual person last year with legislation to help save sea otters from extinction.  His son suggested that bill.  Jones says he’s open to more good ideas from anyone who contacts him.