Michael Ortega

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Michael Ortega completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ortega's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-102169-2021-09-24\" id=\"heading-bio-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-102169-2021-09-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-102169-2021-09-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMike is a lifelong organizer that has worked on the ground to fight for his community, and in the lab to save lives as a biomedical engineer. Through his work, he has seen how low-income families are denied opportunities reserved for the wealthy and powerful few.\r\n<p>Mike, the youngest of 8, was born to immigrant parents from Ecuador and Puerto Rico. They struggled to get by, but his parents took care to provide him with every opportunity. From their perseverance and sacrifice, Mike learned how to fight for a better world in his schools, workplaces, and country.\r\n</p><p>Mike now lives in Anaheim with his wife and soon-to-be firstborn son. Through his organizing career, he has mentored underprivileged students, championed efforts to unionize, and led campaigns to protect our undocumented workers. He is running now to act on the issues that matter most to his community that can't wait for tomorrow: affordable housing, Medicare for All, protecting our immigrant neighbors, and enacting a Green New Deal.\r\n</p>\n</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-102169-2021-09-24\" id=\"heading-key-message-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-102169-2021-09-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-102169-2021-09-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Today, Lou Correa, the Democrat representing our district, fights to keep prescription drug prices high. Every year we send Lou to Washington to focus on the profits of the pharmaceutical industry that funds his campaigns...and every year more and more people are exploited by price gouging. It's clear to me that our district deserves better than this level of conservatism and self-serving opportunism.</li><li>There is no time to wait for a hero to save us. Impending crises like climate change will wait for no one. We have to work together in our communities, on the ground, to battle big monied interests. My district - the people of Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Orange - are ready for change, today. we need: Medicare for All, affordable housing, a strengthened education system, and to abolish ICE. We need a Green New Deal to bring sustainable union jobs to Orange County - making our district a hub where we can learn the skills necessary to protect our planet. We understand the stakes, and are ready to work to turn the tide right here in our hometowns. Because when we work together, we win.</li><li>Today, Lou Correa, the Democrat representing our district, fights to keep prescription drug prices high. Every year we send Lou to Washington to focus on the profits of the pharmaceutical industry that funds his campaigns...and every year more and more people are exploited by price gouging. It's clear to me that our district deserves better than this level of conservatism and self-serving opportunism.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-102169-2021-09-24\" id=\"heading1-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-102169-2021-09-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-102169-2021-09-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tSingle-payer healthcare to modernize a broken healthcare system that funnels working people's money into insurance corporations.<br/><br/>\n<p>A Green New Deal resolution and Civilian Climate Corps to combat the climate emergency before us. This includes union jobs and retraining programs to bolster the American working force with good-paying jobs. <br/><br/>\r\nAmnesty for all undocumented workers to stop deportations. Abolish ICE to stop the immoral cruelty towards our immigrant neighbors. Provide a path to citizenship with less red tape. <br/><br/>\r\nStrengthen our education system through federal programs to provide funding. We know our children and teachers deserve the best, so let's do everything we can do deliver. <br/><br/>\r\nCreate a federal program for students to attend college tuition-free, expand access to trade schools and apprenticeship programs.<br/><br/>\r\nStrengthen the American family through programs like Universal Child Care and Pre-K, <br/><br/>\r\nInstitute a federal National Rent Control program.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nStrengthen labor laws, tie the minimum wage to inflation, and set a fair tax rate similar to what our nation's Greatest Generation instituted.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-102169-2021-09-24\" id=\"heading2-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-102169-2021-09-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-102169-2021-09-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe Autobiography of Malcolm X\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-102169-2021-09-24\" id=\"heading3-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-102169-2021-09-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-102169-2021-09-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI was 15 years old when 9/11 happened. I was in high school in Newark, New Jersey. We could see the towers burning and subsequent dust cloud that lingered for weeks. The start of the War on Terror and the lies told to us by the federal government would impact my political education for the rest of my life.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-102169-2021-09-24\" id=\"heading4-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-102169-2021-09-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was the last song that got stuck in your head?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-102169-2021-09-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t“Father and Son” by Cat Stevens\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-102169-2021-09-24\" id=\"heading5-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-102169-2021-09-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-102169-2021-09-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI was raised by two immigrant parents in the city of Newark, New Jersey. I grew up in a life of urban poverty, no access to healthcare and regular harassment by law enforcement. Despite having every opportunity to fail in life - I went on to fight and become a community organizer and graduated from a prestigious university in engineering. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-102169-2021-09-24\" id=\"heading6-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-102169-2021-09-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-102169-2021-09-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe biggest crisis that faces the nation and the world is climate change. This past decade has seen record storms year over year. In California, wildfires and drought have been devastating people and our communities across the state. I fear we have only begun to see the worst if we do not take decisive action to eliminate carbon emissions and provide clean water for the population. The effects of climate change will, of course, disproportionally affect the working class and people of color in the United States. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-102169-2021-09-24\" id=\"heading7-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-102169-2021-09-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-102169-2021-09-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am strongly in favor of term limits in all political offices. Without term limits we get career politicians, career fundraisers, and career compromisers - none of whom create any fundamental change.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-102169-2021-09-24\" id=\"heading8-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-102169-2021-09-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tThe Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-102169-2021-09-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-102169-2021-09-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tTax the wealthy elites to enable single-payer, universal healthcare. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nMichael Ortega completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ortega's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Mike is a lifelong organizer that has worked on the ground to fight for his community, and in the lab to save lives as a biomedical engineer. Through his work, he has seen how low-income families are denied opportunities reserved for the wealthy and powerful few. Mike, the youngest of 8, was born to immigrant parents from Ecuador and Puerto Rico. They struggled to get by, but his parents took care to provide him with every opportunity. From their perseverance and sacrifice, Mike learned how to fight for a better world in his schools, workplaces, and country. Mike now lives in Anaheim with his wife and soon-to-be firstborn son. Through his organizing career, he has mentored underprivileged students, championed efforts to unionize, and led campaigns to protect our undocumented workers. He is running now to act on the issues that matter most to his community that can't wait for tomorrow: affordable housing, Medicare for All, protecting our immigrant neighbors, and enacting a Green New Deal. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Today, Lou Correa, the Democrat representing our district, fights to keep prescription drug prices high. Every year we send Lou to Washington to focus on the profits of the pharmaceutical industry that funds his campaigns...and every year more and more people are exploited by price gouging. It's clear to me that our district deserves better than this level of conservatism and self-serving opportunism. There is no time to wait for a hero to save us. Impending crises like climate change will wait for no one. We have to work together in our communities, on the ground, to battle big monied interests. My district - the people of Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Orange - are ready for change, today. we need: Medicare for All, affordable housing, a strengthened education system, and to abolish ICE. We need a Green New Deal to bring sustainable union jobs to Orange County - making our district a hub where we can learn the skills necessary to protect our planet. We understand the stakes, and are ready to work to turn the tide right here in our hometowns. Because when we work together, we win. Today, Lou Correa, the Democrat representing our district, fights to keep prescription drug prices high. Every year we send Lou to Washington to focus on the profits of the pharmaceutical industry that funds his campaigns...and every year more and more people are exploited by price gouging. It's clear to me that our district deserves better than this level of conservatism and self-serving opportunism. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Single-payer healthcare to modernize a broken healthcare system that funnels working people's money into insurance corporations. A Green New Deal resolution and Civilian Climate Corps to combat the climate emergency before us. This includes union jobs and retraining programs to bolster the American working force with good-paying jobs. Amnesty for all undocumented workers to stop deportations. Abolish ICE to stop the immoral cruelty towards our immigrant neighbors. Provide a path to citizenship with less red tape. Strengthen our education system through federal programs to provide funding. We know our children and teachers deserve the best, so let's do everything we can do deliver. Create a federal program for students to attend college tuition-free, expand access to trade schools and apprenticeship programs. Strengthen the American family through programs like Universal Child Care and Pre-K, Institute a federal National Rent Control program. Strengthen labor laws, tie the minimum wage to inflation, and set a fair tax rate similar to what our nation's Greatest Generation instituted. Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? The Autobiography of Malcolm X What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? I was 15 years old when 9/11 happened. I was in high school in Newark, New Jersey. We could see the towers burning and subsequent dust cloud that lingered for weeks. The start of the War on Terror and the lies told to us by the federal government would impact my political education for the rest of my life. What was the last song that got stuck in your head? “Father and Son” by Cat Stevens What is something that has been a struggle in your life? I was raised by two immigrant parents in the city of Newark, New Jersey. I grew up in a life of urban poverty, no access to healthcare and regular harassment by law enforcement. Despite having every opportunity to fail in life - I went on to fight and become a community organizer and graduated from a prestigious university in engineering. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? The biggest crisis that faces the nation and the world is climate change. This past decade has seen record storms year over year. In California, wildfires and drought have been devastating people and our communities across the state. I fear we have only begun to see the worst if we do not take decisive action to eliminate carbon emissions and provide clean water for the population. The effects of climate change will, of course, disproportionally affect the working class and people of color in the United States. What are your thoughts on term limits? I am strongly in favor of term limits in all political offices. Without term limits we get career politicians, career fundraisers, and career compromisers - none of whom create any fundamental change. The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected? Tax the wealthy elites to enable single-payer, universal healthcare.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Ortega's campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><b>Housing</b>\n</p><p>The majority of CA-46 rents their home - more than any surrounding district. Over 100,000 <u>households in our district</u>, or <b>nearly 1 in 3 of our neighbors</b> are severely rent burdened. If we’re going to provide the life we want for our families, we cannot task them to pay over 50% of monthly income just to keep a roof over their heads. We need to create a fair federal rent control program while expanding benefits for low-income housing. \n</p><p><br/>\n<b>Environment</b>\n</p><p>Southern California’s polluted air puts our children at risk, and our communities face increasingly severe wildfires every year. Our district’s current leadership argues that the cost is too high to do what is necessary for our homes and families. If elected, I will fight to ensure that our district leads the transition to sustainable, Green New Deal union jobs – making Orange County a beacon of learning new skills. \n</p><p><br/>\n<b>Immigrant Rights</b>\n</p><p><b>Amnesty Now</b> - families that come to America for security and prosperity should be treated with dignity and respect. We must put a stop to the criminalization of our undocumented neighbors wanting what’s best for their children. <b>Abolish ICE</b> - the department is focused on brutality towards our immigrant neighbors across the county, and I believe we’re better than as a nation. We must immediately protect DREAMers, strengthen immigrant labor rights, and expand access to public services. \n</p><p><br/>\n<b>Education</b>\n</p><p>The people of Orange County believe that we should do everything we can to ensure that our children attain the best education possible. Our state’s laws make it so only wealthier neighborhoods have access to a decent education, and growing up my family and I saw the effects of similar policies all over the country. I know what it’s like to attend schools in repurposed buildings that were crumbling. We need to make up for lost time and regressive federal policies by funding schools nationwide.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>Healthcare</b>\n</p><p>The United States leads the world in advancements in health technology, and I have seen my work in the field save lives. I have also seen this technology be available only to those that can afford it, while every year more and more Americans are afraid to go bankrupt in order to get basic care for their families. Hospital costs, premiums, and deductibles continue to go up, while wages stay the same. If we’re going to provide our families with the care they need while saving money for the future, we need Medicare for All. \n</p><p><br/>\n<b>Economic Prosperity</b>\n</p><p>Southern California has grown in the past several years, but CA-46 has not seen their piece of the pie. We need leadership that will fight for our share of California’s growth and prosperity, which requires political courage. By making our district the home of new jobs centered around cleaner air and sustainable energy, decreasing the costs of health care, and providing federal grants to small businesses, we will bring our communities the prosperity that we deserve. \n</p><p><br/>\n<b>Public Safety</b>\n</p><p>Having seen my family devastated by growing up in rough neighborhoods, I know the importance of keeping loved ones safe. We need to have universal standards that are safe and prevent discrimination so that all working people can exercise their right to self-defense. Still, too many families are ripped apart by gun violence, as well as unjust practices of law enforcement. I will fight for universal background checks on guns, and more robust public safety programs that include behavioral health services. In order to see the healthy and connected communities that we dream of, we need to root our intentions in compassion. \n</p><p><br/>\n<b>Foreign Policy</b>\n</p><p>Our campaign’s vision for America’s foreign policy prioritizes diplomacy over war. We have to repeal the AUMF. We must cease further funding of our war machine and audit the massive spending that is in place to reduce is over the next decade. The values of our district show that this money would be better served in our communities. Furthermore, we must end US support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, and support peace and security for all Palestinians. Our involvement in trade agreements worldwide must be focused on providing dignity for all people, not exploitation and disinvestment.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_3-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-3\">[3]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Michael Ortega's campaign website (2022)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-4\"><a href=\"#cite_note-4\">[4]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1548351761485-0\"><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(\"div-gpt-ad-1548351761485-0\"); });</script></div>", "answer_text": "Ortega's campaign website stated the following:\n“ Housing The majority of CA-46 rents their home - more than any surrounding district. Over 100,000 households in our district , or nearly 1 in 3 of our neighbors are severely rent burdened. If we’re going to provide the life we want for our families, we cannot task them to pay over 50% of monthly income just to keep a roof over their heads. We need to create a fair federal rent control program while expanding benefits for low-income housing. Environment Southern California’s polluted air puts our children at risk, and our communities face increasingly severe wildfires every year. Our district’s current leadership argues that the cost is too high to do what is necessary for our homes and families. If elected, I will fight to ensure that our district leads the transition to sustainable, Green New Deal union jobs – making Orange County a beacon of learning new skills. Immigrant Rights Amnesty Now - families that come to America for security and prosperity should be treated with dignity and respect. We must put a stop to the criminalization of our undocumented neighbors wanting what’s best for their children. Abolish ICE - the department is focused on brutality towards our immigrant neighbors across the county, and I believe we’re better than as a nation. We must immediately protect DREAMers, strengthen immigrant labor rights, and expand access to public services. Education The people of Orange County believe that we should do everything we can to ensure that our children attain the best education possible. Our state’s laws make it so only wealthier neighborhoods have access to a decent education, and growing up my family and I saw the effects of similar policies all over the country. I know what it’s like to attend schools in repurposed buildings that were crumbling. We need to make up for lost time and regressive federal policies by funding schools nationwide. Healthcare The United States leads the world in advancements in health technology, and I have seen my work in the field save lives. I have also seen this technology be available only to those that can afford it, while every year more and more Americans are afraid to go bankrupt in order to get basic care for their families. Hospital costs, premiums, and deductibles continue to go up, while wages stay the same. If we’re going to provide our families with the care they need while saving money for the future, we need Medicare for All. Economic Prosperity Southern California has grown in the past several years, but CA-46 has not seen their piece of the pie. We need leadership that will fight for our share of California’s growth and prosperity, which requires political courage. By making our district the home of new jobs centered around cleaner air and sustainable energy, decreasing the costs of health care, and providing federal grants to small businesses, we will bring our communities the prosperity that we deserve. Public Safety Having seen my family devastated by growing up in rough neighborhoods, I know the importance of keeping loved ones safe. We need to have universal standards that are safe and prevent discrimination so that all working people can exercise their right to self-defense. Still, too many families are ripped apart by gun violence, as well as unjust practices of law enforcement. I will fight for universal background checks on guns, and more robust public safety programs that include behavioral health services. In order to see the healthy and connected communities that we dream of, we need to root our intentions in compassion. Foreign Policy Our campaign’s vision for America’s foreign policy prioritizes diplomacy over war. We have to repeal the AUMF. We must cease further funding of our war machine and audit the massive spending that is in place to reduce is over the next decade. The values of our district show that this money would be better served in our communities. Furthermore, we must end US support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, and support peace and security for all Palestinians. Our involvement in trade agreements worldwide must be focused on providing dignity for all people, not exploitation and disinvestment. [3] ” —Michael Ortega's campaign website (2022) [4]"}]