Lieber promised to fight for more investment in education, earning cheers from the crowd of more than 30 residents at the Jan. 8 meeting in Cupertino's new community hall.

Gov. Schwarzenegger's recent budget proposal axed $2.3 billion originally allotted to education, and it proposed suspending Prop. 98, a voter-approved measure that calls for an increase in K-12 and community college spending. Lieber, a Democrat representing District 22, promised to do battle for more investment in education.

"California is ranked 44th in educational spending out of the 50 states, so we need more resources and not, for example, merit pay," she said.

"The 2003­04 year was dominated by concerns over the budget," she said. "You are going to see a lot of bills on this theme in the next fiscal year. In my opinion borrowing will not get us out of these difficulties."

According to the budget proposal recently submitted by Gov. Schwarzenegger, a minimum of $3 billion in borrowing will be needed to overcome the $9 billion budget shortfall.

Across the board, Lieber said, "we have to buckle down and look at how we can do things more efficiently. Rather than cut 10 percent of everything, we have to be more efficient and cut the wasteful programs."

Lieber also promised to fight for more state investment in higher education, pointing out the rising fees at schools such as De Anza College. "It is really a problem that the state is not investing in higher education, and that is something we have got to look at."

Resident John Bartas asked for Lieber's thoughts on Stevens Creek Elementary School. The school was recently thrust into the international spotlight when fifth-grade teacher Stephen Williams filed a lawsuit against the school and the distrct, claiming they discriminated against him for his faith.

Bartas and other parents are concerned that the school has gotten a poor reputation for all the publicity over this case. "We want to know what Lieber can do to help us set the record straight," he asked Lieber in a written question.

"I'm willing to go to the schools and meet with individuals," Lieber said in response. "I'm looking forward to the district being able to clear its name and devote more resources to the students. "

Lieber outlined four areas of specific concern to her:

*increasing opportunities for youth, particularly through making higher education more available;

*improving public health in areas such as air quality and worker safety;

*protecting the environment in such areas as air and water;

*and increasing programs for social justice such as reducing human trafficking.

Ramaswamy Vishwanatha, a Cupertino resident since 1994, said he was glad he took the time to hear Lieber speak. He also encouraged others to attend such meetings in the future. "It's a politically charged environment right now and I'd like to contribute," he said after the meeting.

"I am the only Indian here," he added. "There needs to be more involvement in local issues and the public process."