FLASHREPORT

CALIFORNIANS FIRST: A CALL TO ACTION

State Senator Joel Anderson

Publisher's Note: As part of an ongoing effort to bring original, thoughtful commentary to you here at the FlashReport, I am pleased to present this column from longtime FR friend State Senator Joel Anderson - Flash]

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Senate Republicans are both focused and energized heading into this new year. Our caucus is unified and determined to confront the monumental challenges that face California in 2012. With serious challenges comes opportunity to make lasting changes.

The state budget deficit directly impacts every decision in Sacramento and throughout California. Therefore, getting our financial house in order must be priority number one. The silver lining of this prolonged recession is that we are finally pressed as a legislative body to address our state's overspending and the structural deficit. Transparency and sound fiscal planning go hand in hand. This combination is always the best, and now the last, solution to breaking the boom and bust budgeting in exchange for sound financial footing.

Governor Brown has indicated his willingness to help us clear a path to solvency in the area of public employee pensions. While this is a step in the right direction, there is much work to be done in order to make it a reality. Under Senator Bob Huff's promising new leadership, I am confident that Senate Republicans will be able to collaborate on a real solution for Californians.

In the future, our policy successes will only be enabled by growing our numbers in the legislature. The Republican Caucus has shown that a focused effort in fundraising and candidate recruitment can lead to victories in districts where Democrats greatly outnumber Republicans. {See Assemblyman David Valadao’s & Senator Anthony Canella’s districts}. The clear differences in direction between the two parties on a national level will only help the cause of California Republicans in 2012 that will be working to pick-up Senate seats and prevent Democrats from gaining a 2/3 majority. By remaining engaged on redistricting, and challenging for legislative seats up and down the state, we are poised to build our ranks and better engage in these historically vital deliberations in Sacramento.

Success will not come easily, but Republican solutions can lift our state from years of stagnation. I am optimistic that this can happen if we avoid letting perfection be the enemy of the good. Instead of focusing on our differences, California Republicans must remain united to do the necessary heavy lifting. We have the solutions to the problems that plague our state, and there is no better time to put those ideas to use to build a government that works for all Californians.

These changes may not be sweeping and grand but incremental and hard won. Our democracy was designed to be deliberate, even at the cost of taking time. Our hopes of renewing California rest on taking the time necessary, and getting more people involved with the process.

With your help, we'll achieve our goals and move California forward. Please get involved today by contacting us at CaliforniansFirst@gmail.com.
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State Senator Joel Anderson represents California's 36th Senate District, in San Diego and Riverside Counties

You can write to Senator Anderson, via the FR, here.