Leo Naranjo IV responses:

1. People with disabilities represent more than 20 percent of the California population. If elected, what would you do to make sure that disabled people have a voice in your administration? Would you appoint a senior advisor on disability issues to help you set goals, track progress, and integrate disability issues throughout your administration?

I would most certainly wish to be informed of events/actions/items that impact our disabled community. If possible, having an advisor is preferable but if that is not feasible, having contacts within an organization such as yours, would suffice as well.

2. Please describe how you have worked with disabled people and disability-led organizations in the leadership roles you have held to date.

My direct contacts with disabled individuals during my Military time was not present. Contact via the public was limited to having the access for said individuals, ensuring they had access to our facilities/meetings/conferences etc. Ensuring they could read and/or understand the materials being presented. When extreme situations arose, these individuals were handed to 'specialized' workers to assist with that particular disability.

3. HR 1 cuts $30 billion a year from Medi-Cal, which represents a significant threat to the disabled children and adults and older Californians who rely on Medi-Cal to live in the community. What would you do to mitigate the impact of these cuts on disabled Californians? Can you promise to protect home and community based (HCBS) services from cuts? How can California better include peers, who can support outreach to communities who may be fearful of participating in safety-net programs, as the first point of contact to build on inherent trust and connection with people in need?

There are 3 separate questions, and I'll try to respond in one answer/response. Certain Medi-Cal cuts, were the direct results of inappropriate findings within the program, and it's designee's who received Medi-Cal coverage. As Governor, my priority is with the Citizens of this State. It is NOT for those who are here illegally. Services provided for those individuals who are not here legally, may/may not be disabled, will be assisted as able, and remanded for removal back to their home of record. We will conduct reviews of our current Medi-Cal programs, ensure only LEGAL and ELIGIBLE recipients are being provided services they need/require. Compensation for those not legally here, will be charged to either the Country of Origin and/or Federal Authorities as appropriate. We'll help those as required, but we'll also ensure the integrity of the programs so as to mitigate/end fraud, waste and abuses within the system.

4. Our state has made immense progress in providing Medi-Cal to people regardless of immigration status, but the 2025 budget bill reversed most of this progress. How would you advance immigrant justice and disability rights through the Medi-Cal program? How would you raise needed revenue to ensure that cuts to federal funding are not borne primarily by people with disabilities and immigrants in the state?

Please see above for the response to Question #4. My first priority is with the Citizens of this State, not for the Citizens of other Nations here illegally. Cuts to Federal Funds due to the immigration nature of recipients will not be replaced by 'revenue enhancing' measures against our Citizens. Those with questionable/illegal status here in California should attempt to work with Federal Authorities to alleviate their issues, as quickly and humanely as possible to return to their country of origin.

5. Governor Newsom developed master plans for aging and for developmental services. What ideas do you have for leveraging these plans or updating them to reflect current priorities?

I will review any plans provided by Mr. Newsom. Negative impacts to our Citizens will be mitigated if not reversed/amended/changed/altered/ended.

6. What strategies would you use to improve outcomes for people who are currently unhoused and unsheltered, including the over 40% who qualify as people with disabilities?

Homelessness is a problem in California, in which 35 Billion dollars being already spent, has not resolved. My Goal, is to end the wastefulness of spending, demand results, and acquire achievements. My administration will work with groups/organizations to ensure steps are being conducted to ensure those with disabilities are assisted quickly as well as efficiently. My goal is to ensure those who CAN be aided for independent are provided with a fair and equal opportunity to be self sufficient as those who are not disabled.

7. How would you work to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in the State government and in the delivery of services funded by the government?

Those policies had/have been ended.

8. The representation of state workers with disabilities decreased significantly during Governor Newsom’s two terms. What ideas do you have to improve recruiting, retention, and career development for state workers with disabilities?

My administration will review all current policies regarding hiring, retention, training, opportunities for those employees with disabilities. My goal, is to ensure the highest of quality candidates are in roles best suited for their particular expertise, disable or not. With that, ALL employees in State employment will have a fair, equal opportunity for careers and employment during my administration. Any actions which negatively impact employees with disabilities will be reviewed to ensure there is no biased or discriminatory actions being taken in violation of laws, policies and/or my administrations directives.

9. In November, we marked the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). What ideas do you have for protecting adequate funds for special education and improving outcomes for students with disabilities in California? Do you have specific ideas for improving outcomes and equal access for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing? Or students with disabilities caught in the school-prison nexus and involved in the juvenile legal system?

My administration will review ALL reports from our Education Director, for his/her input to the effectiveness of the program(s), current funding levels, current enrollment levels, if there are rooms to improve and/or streamline as appropriate. Determinations will be based upon all available information provided to ensure the program is successful and successfully accomplishing it's mission. As to the 'juveniles' in the legal system? This would be reviewed on a case by case situation in accordance with any crimes associated with the offender's being held in the juvenile system.

10. Wildfires, earthquakes, flooding and other disasters have disproportionate impacts on people with disabilities and older adults. What ideas do you have for improving emergency preparedness and response for these populations?

Emergency responses are two fold: Communities must have emergency plans for ALL of it's citizens, and be able to provide said information to our State Emergency Services Division. Evacuations, as conditions allow, should prioritize those who are: Elderly, potentially immobile, and/or disabled, as a priority in removing from that emergency. Safety must be paramount in any decision for those providing the rescue/removal and those identified for rescue/removal. Further guidance will be forthcoming pending reviews for the Office of Emergency Services.

11. Transportation continues to be a major barrier to employment, access to healthcare and school, and community engagement for many Californians. What ideas do you have to improve transportation access, particularly in rural parts of the state?

My administration will first: Ascertain the need; verify the amount of support required, establish guidelines for such aid from communities; review potential vehicles for support; ensure an emplacement for specialized programs as able to be adequately funded and or aided. Reviews pending with appropriate staff/areas involved.

Stakeholder input will be essential in providing needed services, however STAKEHOLDER will mean, CITIZENS not unknown organizations/individuals.

12. California is home to the leading companies that develop new technologies for the world. How would you work with technology companies to improve technology accessibility and affordability for people with disabilities in California and beyond? Do you have a plan to address the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and ensure equitable measures to include diverse populations, including Californians with disabilities?

Thank you for this very question. We live in a unique timeframe of history with the development for new/newer technologies advancing near a daily if not yearly, rate. Disable individuals may be impacted as much as they may "develop" said technologies. My goal, is to insure Al can be successfully used for aid/advancement for the disabled communities. To inspire direct support from Private investors to their maximum potential but not maximum taxpayer input for undo costs/hardships for our Citizens. The field of Al has unlimited potential, and we want to ensure:

1. everyone can equally share in Al's abilities, impacts;
2. everyone can equally benefit from Al's abilities and impacts for the enjoyment and success of all.

13. Despite decades of state and federal legal requirements, both public and private sector entities continue to provide web content that is inaccessible to persons with disabilities, especially persons who are blind or have low vision. What commitments would you make to more stringent laws and increased enforcement of state law to ensure websites that are fully accessible to people with disabilities?

My administration will work with Information technology professionals in assuring all relevant information is easily accessable for anyone who seeks it. I will work with my selection for my IT Department Director, and will instruct said person to "ensure California's IT technologies are functionable and updated; that all available information can be accessed correctly and in accordance with State/Federal Laws addressing the same; and that any issues are quickly and efficiently corrected with maximum effort for minimal costs.

14. California’s mental health system is struggling to keep up with major policy and funding changes implemented in the past five years—including CARE Court, SB 43, and Proposition 1—while one in seven adults live with a mental illness and many Californians struggle to find providers who accept their insurance. What is your plan to improve mental health care in California? What role do you see for peer leaders with lived experience with mental illness and substance abuse to help shape your approach, and what is your plan to fund and support consumer-operated, peer-led services—such as wellness centers and peer support? How can California work with private insurers to be more responsive to the growing need for care?

My goal, is to provide assistance for those suffering with mental health issues. Mr. Newsom has provided space for support, pending expansion to our mental health care options. We will no longer wait for people to request assistance, but will now have to ensure they are 'identified for assistance' due to mental impairment/defect/health issues. Support will come from dedicated services employed too these centers as identified. My goal is to reach out to the Organization called, CODAC, to support Mental Health, Substance abuse issues on the size/scale of California. My goal is to see 4 regional support centers, staffed accordingly, reviewed often and operated within costs. Assistance is paramount, results required and ensuring patients are treated HUMANELY are paramount. The question of "private insurance" I will defer to the Insurance Commissioner of California to respond.

15. Many disabled Californians have been traumatized by the racial profiling and aggressive tactics being used by ICE employees in our State. How will you protect Californians from illegal harassment by the federal government and their contractors?

I am unaware of such actions by ICE targeting employees of State Agencies, and would need more information to make a determination of action(s) needed.

16. What ideas do you have to improve our state’s understanding and support for people with Long COVID?

Pending review for further information.

17. Access to healthcare is vitally important to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community who often face barriers to care. What ideas do you have to increase equal access to healthcare for people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing?

Reviews of current local Hospital procedures to ensure ALL State and Federal Requirements for assisting those who are Deaf/Hearing impaired have equal, fair and adequate access to health care facilities and officials. My administration will work with organizations and the Medical community on this topic to alleviate situations as they arise.

18. In 2024, California’s poverty rate tied (with Louisiana) for the highest in the United States. What ideas do you have for helping Californians get the resources they need to meet their basic needs, and be able to afford to live here?

My administration will work with organization to A) Identify the issues, B) determine the best method of action(s) C) work towards an achievable goal to mitigate the impacts of costs of living in California.

19. California incarcerates a higher percentage of its people than almost any democratic country, and Black Californians are nine times more likely to be imprisoned than white Californians. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, at least 40 percent of people in state prisons have a disability. As Governor, what would be your approach to public safety and racial equity as it relates to the criminal justice system?

Public safety is paramount for my administration. Those caught, tried and convicted for crimes, will be imprisoned as per the Courts sentencing.

20. In 2020, Governor Newsom signed SB 823 to close California’s youth prison system, which transferred the responsibility to care for young people charged with the most serious offenses from the state to the counties. Many young people who are currently detained in county-run juvenile detention facilities are disabled and reenter their communities with unaddressed and/or additional disabilities. There are also some juvenile detention facilities that the Board of State and Community Corrections have deemed unsuitable for housing young people, and yet they remain open. What ideas do you have to support young people with disabilities before and while they encounter the juvenile legal system?

Answer: Thank you for this question. My administration will work with those "stakeholder" groups that identify this issue, come with solutions and as applicable, gain support for/from State agencies to assist in alleviating the issue with young people before they enter our correctional system. WHILE they are in it? This will be case by case, pending further information to the topic.

21. With federal civil rights enforcement severely weakened, state agencies are now carrying more of the burden. What specific steps will you take to strengthen California’s civil rights enforcement agencies—through funding, staffing, authority, and coordination—so that rights violations are investigated and remedied promptly and effectively across the state, including violations that implicate AI developers and deployers?v

Thank you for this question. State Civil Rights agencies will be reviewed and under go a top-bottom correction as needed. My administration will work towards ensuring all Civil Rights of Citizens of this State are protected at all times. We will work in cooperation with our Federal Partners on topics of similar interests. Complaints are to be investigated thoroughly, and promptly remedied. This will not be, a rubber stamp processes. ALL complaints will be handled correctly, reviewed correctly and remedied in accordance with prevailing laws/regulations. Violators will be punished accordingly if violations are found.