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: Tiffanie Tate
Current job title: OBGYN Physician-Retired; Author
Political party affiliation: Democratic
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: None
City where you reside: Riverside
Campaign website or social media: votedrtate.com
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.)
Balancing the state budget requires a responsible combination of spending discipline and thoughtful revenue strategies. We cannot address a deficit of this scale through cuts alone, especially when those cuts would impact essential services like healthcare, education, and support for working families.
As a physician, I have seen what happens when systems are underfunded. People delay care, outcomes worsen, and costs increase over time. That same principle applies to our state budget. We should take a close look at inefficiencies, reduce waste, and reevaluate programs that are not delivering results, while protecting the services Californians rely on every day. We should also consider fair, sustainable ways to raise revenue, including closing tax loopholes and making sure the tax system is working as intended.
We also need to strengthen the state’s long-term economic outlook by supporting small businesses, workforce development, and industries that create good-paying jobs. A stronger economy creates a healthier tax base and puts California on firmer footing in the years ahead. My approach is grounded in balance, accountability, and protecting the people of California while making responsible decisions for the future.
For you, what’s a non-starter when talking about budget cuts? Why? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
For me, the non-starters when it comes to budget cuts are healthcare, education, and the core services that keep people stable, because those are the areas where cuts cause the most immediate harm and lead to greater costs over time. When access to care is reduced, people do not stop needing it; they simply delay it until it becomes more serious and more expensive to treat. That puts pressure on hospitals, strains families, and ultimately costs the system more than it saves. The same is true when essential services are reduced for seniors, veterans, and working families who rely on that support to stay housed, fed, and secure. Cutting those programs may look like savings in the short term, but it creates instability that communities end up paying for in other ways.
Education is another area that cannot be treated as optional when balancing a budget. Public schools are a long-term investment in our workforce, our economy, and the strength of our communities. When funding is reduced, students lose access to resources, support systems, and opportunities that help them succeed. Those impacts do not disappear; they follow students into adulthood and affect the broader economy over time.
There is a responsible way to approach a budget deficit, and that starts with identifying inefficiencies, reducing waste, and making sure programs are actually delivering results. However, balancing the budget should never come at the expense of basic care, opportunity, and stability for the people who rely on these systems every day.
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 issues facing California are the cost of living, access to quality healthcare, and housing stability, because all three are directly connected to whether people can build and sustain a life in this state. Right now, too many families are working hard and still struggling to afford basic necessities, from groceries to rent. Addressing this requires a focus on economic stability, including supporting small businesses, investing in workforce development, and making sure policies are grounded in what working families are actually experiencing day to day.
Healthcare access and affordability continue to be a major concern, especially for seniors, women, and working families. Too many people are delaying care or going without it entirely because of cost. As a legislator, I would prioritize lowering out-of-pocket costs, expanding access to preventative care, and protecting programs that people rely on, while also addressing gaps in women’s health services and ensuring patients can make decisions in consultation with their doctors.
Housing is another critical issue that affects nearly every community in the state. We need to increase the supply of housing at all levels while also supporting solutions that address homelessness in a comprehensive way, including mental health services, recovery programs, and job training. Stabilizing housing and making it more accessible are essential to strengthening communities and creating long-term economic security. These issues are interconnected, and addressing them requires practical, balanced solutions that focus on long-term stability for California residents.
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.)
One policy I would champion is targeted relief on everyday essentials, paired with expanding support for working families through the tax system. For many households, the pressure is not abstract; it is felt every week at the grocery store, at the gas pump, and when bills are due. I would support reducing or eliminating state taxes on essential goods like groceries and hygiene products, while expanding the California Earned Income Tax Credit so that more working families can keep more of what they earn. I would also push for stronger oversight of prescription drug pricing and support policies that help bring down healthcare costs, because those expenses are a major driver of financial strain for families.
At the same time, we have to address the root causes of why California is so expensive. That includes increasing housing supply at all levels, especially workforce housing, and streamlining processes that delay construction and drive up costs. It also means supporting small businesses by cutting unnecessary red tape and investing in job training programs that connect people to stable, good-paying careers. When people have access to reliable income, and businesses can grow locally, it creates more stability across the board.
Some of these changes would have an immediate impact, particularly tax relief and expanded credits that put money back into people’s pockets right away. Others, like housing development and workforce investments, take more time but are critical to making sure the cost of living does not continue to spiral.
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.)
California has a responsibility to actively protect our immigrant communities from harmful and overreaching federal actions that undermine trust, separate families, and destabilize entire communities. Immigrants are a fundamental part of our state’s workforce, economy, and culture, and they deserve to live with dignity and without fear of being targeted in ways that feel indiscriminate or unjust. There are clear areas where the state can and should do more, including strengthening protections that limit cooperation between local agencies and federal immigration enforcement in civil matters, because local law enforcement should be focused on keeping communities safe, not acting as an extension of federal agencies. I also support increased investment in legal defense funds, “Know Your Rights” education, and community-based organizations so families are not left to navigate a complex system on their own.
Practices like masked enforcement operations and actions that create fear in schools, hospitals, or places of worship are deeply concerning and erode public trust. The state should set firm boundaries to ensure people can access essential services without fear of detention or intimidation. I do not believe California should be working more closely with federal immigration enforcement in ways that harm or intimidate law-abiding residents. Any coordination should be limited to serious criminal matters rather than broad or aggressive sweeps that target entire communities. As a state legislator, my role is to stand up for the people and communities I represent, protect their rights, and ensure California remains a place where families can live, work, and contribute.
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.)
Healthcare costs continue to rise because the system is not working efficiently for patients, and too many families are left paying the price through higher premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. One of the first areas I would focus on is prescription drug pricing by supporting policies that allow California to negotiate directly with manufacturers and expand bulk purchasing programs like CalRx, since lowering the cost of medications is one of the fastest ways to provide relief, especially for seniors and those managing chronic conditions. At the same time, we need stronger oversight of hospital and insurance pricing to increase transparency and prevent excessive rate increases from being passed on to consumers, because too often patients do not know what they will be charged until after they receive care.
In addition, expanding access to preventative and primary care is critical to lowering long-term expenses, including investing in community clinics and women’s health services so people can receive care earlier instead of relying on emergency rooms, which are far more expensive. I would also support policies that cap out-of-pocket costs for essential services and strengthen protections against surprise medical billing, which continues to put financial strain on families, while making sure insurers are held accountable for unjustified premium increases.
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 do support expanding access to healthcare so more residents, including those who are not citizens, can receive the care they need, because access to basic healthcare should not depend on immigration status. When people are uninsured, they are more likely to delay care until conditions become serious, which leads to worse outcomes and higher costs for the system overall. Ensuring broader coverage helps people stay healthier and reduces the strain on emergency rooms and public hospitals.
That said, expansion must be done responsibly and with a clear plan for sustainability. I would support a combination of funding strategies, including strengthening federal partnerships where available, improving efficiency within existing programs, and identifying areas of waste that can be redirected toward care. We should also look at long-term cost drivers, such as high prescription drug prices and administrative inefficiencies, because addressing those issues can help offset the cost of expanding coverage.
In addition, expanding access to community clinics and preventative care services is essential, especially in underserved areas, so people can receive treatment earlier and avoid more expensive interventions later. Healthcare is not just a line item in the budget; it is a foundational investment in the well-being of our communities, and when people have access to care, the entire system works better and more efficiently.
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.)
Preventing homelessness starts with making housing more affordable and stable before people reach a crisis point, and that requires both protecting renters and increasing the supply of housing across the state. I support expanding rental assistance programs, strengthening eviction protections, and providing short-term financial support for families facing unexpected hardships so they can stay in their homes. For homeowners, we should look at targeted property tax relief and programs that help people remain in their homes during periods of financial instability.
At the same time, we have to address the underlying shortage of housing by making it easier to build at all levels, especially workforce and middle-income housing. I would support streamlining permitting and environmental review processes where appropriate, reducing unnecessary delays that drive up costs, and incentivizing local governments to meet housing goals through funding and accountability measures. We should also expand incentives for developers to include affordable units in their projects and support public-private partnerships that can move projects forward more efficiently.
In addition, investing in infrastructure, such as transit and utilities, is critical to unlocking new areas for housing development. If we are serious about preventing homelessness, we have to take a comprehensive approach that keeps people housed while also building enough housing to meet demand and stabilize costs over the long term.
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.)
I understand why the commission chose to pause implementation, given the real concern about refinery closures and the impact that could have on gas prices, but I do not believe delaying accountability should become the default response. Californians are already paying some of the highest prices at the pump, and there needs to be consistent oversight to ensure consumers are not being taken advantage of during periods of volatility, while also recognizing the importance of maintaining a stable fuel supply in the short term.
As a state legislator, I would focus on a balanced approach that increases transparency, stabilizes supply, and accelerates the transition to more affordable alternatives. That includes strengthening reporting requirements so the state has real-time data on refinery operations and pricing, enforcing penalties for excessive profits when appropriate, and creating safeguards that prevent sudden refinery shutdowns from causing supply shocks. I would also support targeted, short-term relief such as temporary gas tax adjustments or rebates during price spikes, especially for working families who rely on their vehicles every day.
At the same time, we need to invest more aggressively in long-term solutions by expanding access to public transit, supporting infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles, and incentivizing cleaner energy development so consumers have viable alternatives. Our climate goals are important, but they must be implemented in a way that is predictable, coordinated, and protects Californians from sudden and unsustainable cost increases.
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.)
Yes, I would support increased funding for behavioral health treatment, because if we are going to expand penalties and create pathways into treatment, the system has to be equipped to actually deliver that care. Without adequate capacity, we risk cycling people through the justice system without addressing the underlying issues of addiction and mental health that are driving these challenges in the first place. Treatment has to be real, accessible, and timely, or the policy does not work as intended.
At the same time, increased funding must come with clear accountability. I would support tying funding to measurable outcomes, such as treatment completion rates, reductions in repeat offenses, and successful transitions into stable housing or employment. Programs receiving state dollars should be required to report consistent data, and that information should be transparent so we can evaluate what is working and what is not. I also believe funding should prioritize evidence-based programs and community providers with a track record of delivering effective care.
In addition, there should be regular audits and oversight to ensure funds are being used as intended, along with clear consequences when programs fail to meet established standards. As a legislator, my focus would be on making sure we are not just allocating more money, but investing it in a way that leads to better outcomes for individuals and safer, more stable communities overall.
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.)
The state has a clear role in ensuring that LGBTQ+ residents, including transgender individuals, have access to safe, evidence-based, and medically appropriate care. Gender affirming care is recognized as essential healthcare, and decisions about that care should be made between patients and their providers, not dictated by politics. The state should protect the ability of licensed providers to offer this care without fear of retaliation, while also ensuring that health plans cover medically necessary treatments so cost is not a barrier.
In addition, California can take a leadership role in setting standards that promote access and consistency across the healthcare system. That includes supporting provider training, expanding access in underserved areas, and ensuring that patients are treated with dignity and respect in every setting. Access should not depend on where someone lives or whether a provider feels uncertain about offering care.
When other states move to restrict gender affirming care, California has a responsibility to protect patients and providers within its borders. That includes safeguarding medical privacy, refusing to cooperate with out-of-state actions that seek to penalize lawful care provided here, and ensuring that individuals who come to California for care can do so safely. As a legislator, I would support policies that reinforce these protections and make clear that California remains committed to protecting the health, rights, and dignity of LGBTQ+ residents.
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.)
I do believe the state has a role to play in protecting young people online, especially as we see growing concerns around mental health, addiction, and exposure to harmful content. At the same time, I do not think the solution is a broad or blanket ban on social media use. These platforms are a part of daily life, and any policy we adopt has to be practical, enforceable, and respectful of individual rights.
As a state lawmaker, I would focus on targeted safeguards that put responsibility on the platforms themselves rather than placing the burden entirely on families. That includes requiring stronger age verification standards, default privacy protections for minors, and limits on features that are designed to be addictive, such as endless scrolling or late-night notifications. I would also support greater transparency so parents and users can better understand how content is being promoted and how personal data is being used.
In addition, we should invest in digital literacy and mental health resources so young people are better equipped to navigate these platforms in a healthy way. Parents should have access to clear tools that allow them to set boundaries, monitor usage, and make informed decisions for their children. This is an area where thoughtful regulation can make a real difference, but it has to be balanced, focused, and designed to protect young people without overreaching.
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 already reshaping how people work and how businesses operate, and California has an opportunity to lead in a way that encourages innovation while protecting workers and the public. I do not believe these goals are in conflict, but it does require thoughtful guardrails so people are not left behind as the technology advances. As a state legislator, I would support clear standards around transparency and accountability, including requiring disclosure when AI is used in high-impact decisions such as hiring, healthcare, lending, or public services, along with strong data privacy protections so personal information is not misused. I would also focus on protecting workers by investing in job training and workforce transition programs, partnering with community colleges and employers to create pathways into new careers as technology evolves.
At the same time, we need to address the environmental and infrastructure impacts of AI, particularly the strain that data centers place on water and energy resources. In a state like California, we cannot afford to draw from already limited groundwater supplies, so I would support policies that require data centers to use imported, treated water that is recycled through closed-loop systems, along with clear efficiency standards. We also need to ensure that the energy demands of these facilities do not drive up electricity costs for residents by requiring investment in new, dedicated clean energy and grid infrastructure so existing ratepayers are not subsidizing that growth.
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.)
Even though statistics may show that violent crime is declining, how people feel in their communities matters just as much, because a sense of safety is shaped by what residents see and experience every day. When people see open drug use, retail theft, or individuals struggling without access to help, it creates a perception that systems are not working. Addressing that gap requires a balanced approach that focuses on both accountability and prevention.
As a state legislator, my role is to make sure the state is funding and coordinating the right systems so local communities can respond effectively. That means prioritizing investments in behavioral health and substance use treatment, expanding crisis response teams that can respond to non-violent situations, and ensuring that diversion programs are actually connected to real treatment options, not just temporary solutions. I would also support targeted funding for local law enforcement to address repeat and organized retail theft, while strengthening data sharing between agencies so patterns of crime are addressed more proactively.
In addition, I would push for accountability measures to ensure that state dollars are being used effectively, including tracking outcomes for treatment programs and public safety initiatives. We also need to invest in prevention by supporting youth programs, job training, and reentry services so people have pathways away from crime. Restoring a sense of safety requires both visible action and long-term investment, and my role is to make sure those systems are working together and delivering results for the communities we serve.
What’s a hidden talent you have? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)
My hidden talents are baking, singing, and writing.
I love to sing, whether it is performing the national anthem at events, singing opera, or just making someone smile by singing them happy birthday. It is something I have always enjoyed as a fun way to connect with people and bring a little joy into everyday moments.
My baking and writing bring joy to people’s lives, too. I once participated in the “Favorite Chef” competition by Carla Hall, and am a published author who has written and published both books and plays. Baking allows me to fill people’s bellies with tasty, delicious treats. Writing gives me a creative outlet outside of my career. It lets me slow down, reflect, and share stories in a different way. I have published five books and have one play available on YouTube. My first book, “FloweTry: A Collection of 108 Poetic Flows on Life, Love, and Liturgical Issues” takes the reader on life’s emotional journeys. My four children’s books: “Bad Touching” teaches children how to speak up and protect themself from predators. “Little Engine Mia Sings” helps children to speak up, support each other, and stop bullying. “Money Matters” teaches children about saving, tithing, and investing. “Perfectly Perfect” teaches children about body image and eating. My play, “The Souls of Women,” is a gospel comedy about the women in the Bible. These creative outlets have shaped how I connect with people and express myself in my everyday life.