Assembly hopefuls focus on education

"I support drastically reducing the size of the state government and decentralizing control of education," he said. "I would focus on reducing state control through the use of school vouchers, giving low-income students and their families first choice on how their money is spent."

Running unopposed for the Republican nomination in the heavily Democratic district is Agbaba, who was in favor of allowing illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition fees at California universities and community colleges.

"The federal government has failed us in immigration, so what are we going to do?" asked Agbaba. "If they live in this state and are residents here, their education fees should be those of residents of California."

Agbaba's comments on the illegal immigrant students were refreshing coming from a Republican, said Krekorian.

"Schools are not in the business of being immigration officials and our community college system should be open to all, regardless of citizenship," Krekorian said. But he drew the line at allowing illegal immigrant students to get a University of California education at the discounted, in-state rate.

Here Quintero disagreed, saying that if they have the competitive drive and the qualifications, illegal students living in California should not have to pay out-of-state university tuition.

"They deserve the same rights as every other student," Quintero said, adding he had met with 22 undocumented students at Glendale Community College last week and listened to their concerns.

All but Quintero supported the California Supreme Court's decision to reinstate the state's High School Exit Exam. Agbaba joined Myers in opposing Proposition 82, which would subsidize universal preschool education with a special tax on the wealthy; Quintero and Krekorian endorse the measure.

The 43rd Assembly District includes Glendale, Burbank, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Toluca Lake and North Hollywood.

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