Fiona Ma explains why she should be California's next Lieutenant Governor | CA Politics 360 – KCRA
Fiona Ma, California’s state treasurer, is running for lieutenant governor and shared her vision for addressing economic challenges, housing shortages, and regulatory issues across the state in an interview on California Politics 360.
"Right now, many Californians are struggling, whether their families, seniors, students, small businesses, the ag community, and understanding how difficult it is to do business,” Ma said. "Coming from a family where we started, my parents started with nothing, and having those opportunities for the California dream is why I’m excited to be running for lieutenant governor."
Ma emphasized her commitment to listening to communities across California.
"I travel to all 58 counties. I listen, I try to solve people’s problems, and that is my commitment—to continue to listen to the grassroots, 58 counties, one California. But we are not all the same, and it should not be a one-size-fits-all," she said.
She expressed concerns about outdated laws and regulations, noting their unintended consequences during difficult times.
"I want to be that person to work with our local communities, listen to them, and bring those ideas from bottom up versus top down, which is what a lot of people are complaining about right now," Ma said.
If elected, Ma plans to convene stakeholder meetings and develop solutions to address issues such as high regulations, lengthy permitting processes, and enforcement disparities. "Just being there to listen and learn and then hopefully bring those ideas to the legislature and the governor as well," she said.
Ma provided a real-life example of the challenges facing California’s agricultural sector, citing her recent meeting with Lodi wine grape growers.
"Lodi used to be the number one region for growing grapes in the country. Now they are not even able to pick the grapes because there is no market," she said. Ma explained that international sellers blending California grapes with others are undercutting local growers, and she called for equitable enforcement of rules to support small businesses and farmers.
She also emphasized the need to address broader agricultural challenges, including water storage projects and pesticide management. "California needs to do a better job looking at the rules and regulations we have in place, talking to the actual farmers and grape growers to see whether they’re working, and then figure out how to make California more competitive again,” Ma said.
As lieutenant governor, Ma plans to leverage her experience sponsoring legislation and working with lawmakers. "I have been a sponsor and working with the members of the legislature. All of the Democratic members have pretty much endorsed me, and so I have a good working relationship with them," she said.
Ma pointed to her legislative track record, including passing 60 laws during her time in the state Assembly, such as banning phthalates from baby products. “Because I was able to get that signed, Senator Feinstein at the time put it into a federal bill. And now there should be no products in this nation that has that toxic chemical,” she said.
On education, Ma advocated for paid internships to help students secure jobs after graduation. “Too many kids are going to school, doing the right thing, and they don’t have those entry-level jobs anymore,” she said. She also called for increased funding for Cal Grants and more scholarship opportunities to address high student loan debt.
When asked about funding for her initiatives, Ma said, "There’s always money that we can redistribute, reprioritize. As an accountant, I follow the money. We need to do a better job in terms of auditing and tracking where the money goes."
Ma expressed concerns about homelessness funding, saying, "It starts at one agency, goes to another, another one, another one, the local community, county, city. And then by the time it gets to the people, there’s very, very little left. And so, yes, I do think there are programs like that that should be audited."
She also highlighted her experience building housing units as state treasurer, citing a project at Santa Rosa Community College that helped increase enrollment. “I would like to build more housing. I am a real estate tax accountant by training. I have done it before,” Ma said.
Ma acknowledged the perception of the lieutenant governor’s office as a steppingstone but emphasized her focus on serving Californians.
"It is really about the opportunity that has opened and the voters have voted to elect me to four different positions. If they continue to elect me and keep me in public service, then I am able, willing, and willing to continue to serve," she said.
Addressing concerns about her long tenure in public office, Ma said, “Power can be used for good, and it could be used for bad purposes. I’d like to think that I use my power to help more people, to level the playing field, to listen to their problems and try to solve their problems.”
Ma also reiterated her support for having the governor and lieutenant governor run on the same ticket. “Good government would dictate that the lieutenant governor and the governor work together,” she said.
When asked about her opponent, Gloria Romero, Ma emphasized her experience and bipartisan relationships. "I have been building relationships as a bipartisan legislature during my time in the legislature, on the tax board, and even as state treasurer. I go to all 58 counties. I work with every elected official. Doesn’t matter the party," she said.
Ma concluded by highlighting her priorities for affordable housing, workforce development, and supporting veterans. "I’m going to continue to fight for the people to make their lives better," she said.
KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of "California Politics 360." Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.
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