Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

Name: Scott Houston

Current job title: Small Business Owner

Political party affiliation: Democratic

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: Director, West Basin Municipal Water District; Commissioner: Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults

City where you reside: El Segundo

Campaign website or social media: scotthouston.org

Do you believe balancing the state budget should rely more on spending cuts, new revenue streams or a combination? Tell us how you would propose tackling California’s projected budget deficit. (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Additional taxes almost always end up making things more expensive for everyday Californians. Right now, with our affordability crisis, we need to find ways to reduce the burden, not raise it up. I think cuts are necessary, and secondarily, any taxes would have to be targeted away from those who can least afford them.

For you, what’s a non-starter when talking about budget cuts? Why? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I will oppose any cuts that harm older adults, people with disabilities, or young people, and I will stand against reductions in education funding. When budgets are tight, protecting our most vulnerable and continuing to invest in education are not optional; they are fundamental to a fair society and a strong, competitive economy.

What are the top three most pressing issues facing the state, and what would you propose, as a state legislator, to address them? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The three most pressing challenges we face are housing affordability, homelessness and deteriorating infrastructure. For decades, California has failed to build enough housing to match population growth, leading to sky-high home prices, reduced buying power for families, and barriers to economic growth. We need practical, commonsense solutions that increase housing production, streamline approvals, and reduce construction and development costs.

Homelessness remains a crisis across our state. Addressing it requires both compassion and accountability. We must help get people off the streets, support mental health needs, and ensure that service providers are delivering the results they have promised. Public dollars must be tied to clear metrics and measurable outcomes. The time for excuses and waste is over.

Lastly, our infrastructure is aging and in urgent need of repair and rehabilitation. Investing in roads, bridges, water systems, airports and ports is essential if California is to remain competitive in the global economy, and I will make this a priority in the legislature.

What specific policy would you champion in the statehouse to improve the cost of living for residents? Would you see this having an immediate impact on Californians or would it take some time? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

If I had to pick one high-impact, realistic policy to champion in the legislature, it would be large-scale zoning reform tied to housing. Production incentives—basically, making it much easier and faster to build more housing in the places that are compatible for growth and where people actually want to live.

There have been numerous efforts made in the state legislature to curtail federal immigration enforcement in California, from prohibitions on agents wearing masks to banning federal officers from future employment in a public agency. Do you see any area where the state could better protect its residents from the federal government’s widespread immigration crackdown? Would you prefer the state work more hand-in-hand with the federal government on immigration? Where does the role as a state legislator fall into your beliefs here? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The state must do all it can to protect its residents and maintain its sovereignty against overreach. Ideally, the state would work cooperatively with the federal government on immigration enforcement, but these are not normal times. We face an antagonistic federal government that has taken a heavy-handed approach to immigration enforcement, creating a chilling effect on public safety, morale, our sense of security, and our state’s economy that is not acceptable. President Trump has claimed that his administration’s crackdown on illegal immigrants would target the “worst of the worst” and “dangerous criminals,” but the facts do not match the rhetoric. Instead, policies appear to be whimsical and arbitrary. As a state lawmaker, I believe it is imperative that residents are treated with respect, are not forced to live in fear, and receive the due process guaranteed by the Constitution.

Health care costs — like in many other areas — are continuing to rise. What policies, specifically, would you support or like to champion that could lower premiums or out-of-pocket expenses? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I believe the public option through Covered California has significantly improved health care coverage in our state, allowing nearly 1.8 million Californians to access care who previously could not. Expanding Medi-Cal eligibility has further improved access, ensuring more residents receive essential health services.

With the passage of H.R. 1, providers and counties face serious financial impacts, and millions of Californians could be at risk of losing their health coverage. As a legislator, my goal is not to add unnecessary complexity or regulation, but to work collaboratively with my colleagues and the medical community to improve how health care is delivered in California.

That means supporting higher Medi-Cal reimbursement rates so providers can continue to participate in the program, streamlining administrative barriers to reduce delays, and improving access to care. It also means supporting a budget that protects our most vulnerable populations and makes every effort to provide counties and the state with the resources needed to keep as many people enrolled in coverage as possible.

Would you support expanding state health care programs to ensure more residents — including those who are not citizens — are covered? How would you propose the state fund such an expansion? Or, how would you propose the people who cannot afford health care still get the necessary care they need without expanding state programs? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I support efforts, where financially feasible, to expand state health care programs, including coverage for non-citizens. The alternative is overcrowded emergency rooms for those with no other access to health care and a greater threat of diseases spreading throughout the entire population. We must do everything we can to maintain and expand Covered California, and I would support strengthening Medi-Cal to better meet the needs of those who are eligible.

As part of combating homelessness, elected officials often talk about the need to prevent people from losing their homes in the first place. What policies or programs should the state adopt to make housing more affordable for renters and homeowners? What do you propose the state do to incentivize housing development and expedite such projects? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

We are woefully behind on housing production, which is impacting affordability and California’s economic vitality. I support minimizing barriers and streamlining approval processes so housing can be built more quickly and at lower cost. This includes reviewing local fees and charges that add to housing production costs and discourage builders, as well as accelerating entitlements and approvals. We must be nimble and provide more housing options at reduced costs to alleviate our state’s housing crisis.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law in 2023 authorizing state energy regulators to penalize oil companies making excessive profits. But the California Energy Commission put off imposing the penalties last year after two oil refineries, which represent nearly a fifth of California’s refining capacity, said they would shut down operations. Those announcements prompted many to be concerned about soaring gas prices. What do you think of the commission’s decision? And how would you, as a state legislator, propose balancing California’s climate goals with protecting consumers from high gas prices at the pump? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

With fewer refineries and limited competition, Californians are facing higher fuel prices. We must do everything possible to prevent the loss of another refinery in our state, without lowering our standards for emissions, clean air, or environmental protection. At the same time, we should continue developing a diverse portfolio of efficient vehicle options, including hybrid and electric vehicles. The state must also set realistic goals and manageable timetables for implementing regulations that ensure certainty for consumers and industry alike.

In 2024, voters approved Proposition 36 to increase penalties for certain drug and retail theft crimes and make available a drug treatment option for some who plead guilty to felony drug possession. Would you, as a legislator, demand that more funding for behavioral health treatments be included in the budget? How would you ensure that money is used properly? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Voters overwhelmingly approved, and I supported, Proposition 36, and the state must fund its implementation as voters have made clear. I will demand that additional funding for behavioral health treatment be included in the budget and will also call for strong oversight of the state departments charged with managing its implementation.

What role should the state play in ensuring hospitals and doctors are providing gender-affirming care to LGBTQ+ residents? Similarly, what role do you believe the state could play should other states adopt policies that restrict that care? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

California law strongly protects access to gender-affirming care, and I support defending and enforcing these laws that protect the hospitals and doctors who provide these services. As other states restrict or even criminalize such care, it is all the more important that California continues to safeguard both residents who rely on these services and the providers who deliver them.

Governments around the world are increasingly considering an age ban or other restrictions on social media use among young people, citing mental health and other concerns. Do you believe it’s the state’s responsibility to regulate social media use? Why or why not? And what specific restrictions or safeguards would you propose as a state lawmaker? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

If Congress will not act to create regulations and guardrails to protect our youth, then it is the state’s responsibility to craft policies of its own. There should be clearly defined regulations designed to protect youth from the perils of social media, but I do not support outright bans. We must take a balanced approach that allows kids to be kids while educating them on the responsible use of social media tools and apps.

Artificial intelligence has become a ubiquitous part of our lives. Yet public concerns remain that there aren’t enough regulations governing when or how AI should be used, and that the technology would replace jobs and leave too many Californians unemployed. How specifically would you balance such concerns with the desire to foster innovation and have California remain a leader in this space? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Artificial intelligence is now a part of our daily lives and will increasingly be a part of society moving forward. We must take a balanced approach to regulating its use, while ensuring we can harness it to increase productivity and support learning. Clear rules of the road are needed for companies, while still fostering innovation and ensuring California and the United States remain competitive globally. As policies are developed, I will always take into account the concerns of residents and constituents.

Statistically, violent crime rates in California is on the decline, but still, residents are not feeling safe or at ease in their communities. How do you see your role in the state legislature in addressing the underlying issues that make Californians feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

A major contributor to this feeling of being unsafe is the visible homelessness crisis in our communities. As a state legislator, it’s my duty not only to help local governments get people off the streets, but also to make people feel safe and secure in their neighborhoods. Compassion and public safety are not competing values; they are obligations we owe to all Californians.

What’s a hidden talent you have? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

My talent may not always be loud or flashy, but it is essential: listening carefully, learning continuously, exercising discernment, and collaborating to deliver real solutions and strong outcomes. That’s the kind of leadership Sacramento needs, and it’s what the people of Assembly District 66 expect and deserve.