SoCal Candidates Focus on Housing, Climate, AI

Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group and the Orange County Register have gathered responses from candidates addressing key issues such as housing, climate change, AI regulation, and minimum wage increases. Candidates emphasize the need for balanced development to meet housing demands while maintaining quality of life and propose community-involved planning and supportive environments for developers. Climate initiatives focus on developing climate action plans and increasing renewable energy use. On AI regulation, candidates advocate for sensible regulations that address bias and transparency, while promoting innovation and safeguarding privacy. The issue of increasing the minimum wage to $18 by 2026 sees mixed opinions, with some candidates supporting it to ensure fair wages, while others warn of potential negative economic impacts.