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Loni Hancock and Dave Brown, candidates for the 14th District state Assembly seat, criticized rival Charles Ramsey for accepting a $3,000 PG&E campaign contribution and took him to task on his school board record during a Thursday night debate at UC Berkeley. 

Ramsey, who serves on the West Contra Costa Unified School Board, downplayed the PG&E contribution and talked of the school district’s “exemplary” financial record since he took office. 

Hancock, former Berkeley mayor, suggested that it is improper to take a PG&E campaign contribution while the utility company pursues a controversial bankruptcy settlement in the courts. 

Hancock raised particular concerns about PG&E’s effort, as part of the settlement, to transfer $8 billion worth of assets, including hydro-electric dams, to its federally-regulated parent corporation, escaping the reach of state regulators. 

Dave Brown, former chief of staff for Alameda County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker, also in the running for the Assembly seat, said he was approached by PG&E, but turned down the contribution. 

“I understand that people can take a donation and say ‘no,’ ” he said, “but I don’t want the appearance there.” 

“PG&E represents 1 percent of the contributions,” said Ramsey, who has raised a total of $300,000 according to his latest filings. The candidate added that he is willing to vote against the utility if elected to the state legislature. 

Dan Borenstein, political editor of the Contra Costa Times, and debate panelist, stirred up more controversy when he raised concerns about alleged financial mismanagement of a construction bond by the West Contra Costa Unified School District, and asked why voters should approve a new $300 million construction bond on the ballot in the next election. 

“We have not mismanaged any money,” Ramsey said, in a vigorous defense of the district, citing an audit by the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, a state agency, which approved the district’s handling of its bond program. 

The candidate added that the district has balanced its budget nine years in a row, avoided the financial troubles plaguing local districts like Berkeley and Emeryville and has an A- bond rating from Standard & Poor’s. 

Both of Ramsey’s rivals declined to comment on the fiscal health of the school district and Hancock voiced support for the new bond measure.  

But Hancock and Brown said the public schools in Richmond, one of the municipalities in the West Contra Costa Unified School District, are low-performing and need more attention. 

“I think it’s unfair that the other two are blasting me,” Ramsey responded, noting that the Richmond schools serve many children who come from difficult circumstances. “Instead of attacking and harassing, let’s help each other.” 

When the debate shifted from Ramsey’s record, candidates took time to lay out some of their legislative priorities. Ramsey said he would push for universal health care and Section 8 housing vouchers for college students. 

Brown said he would focus on education and transportation. He said extending BART service in the East Bay and breaking ground on new lanes for the Caldecott Tunnel connecting Oakland and Orinda would be top priorities. Brown said he wouldn’t seek higher office if the state failed to break ground on the Caldecott Tunnel during his term as a state Assemblymember.  

Hancock said her campaign is focused on the “three e’s,” education, the environment and the economy. Hancock said she would work to expand the state’s university system and improve public transportation to reduce pollution. She said there should be one pass that works for all modes of local public transportation.