FLASHREPORT

SENATOR LA MALFA RESIGNS TODAY -- FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

Lewis K. Uhler, President, National Tax Limitation Committee

[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 Lewis K. Uhler -  Flash]

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When a state legislator makes a personal sacrifice to do what’s right for taxpayers, he needs to be applauded.

Today after the State Senate finishes its session for the year, Senator Doug LaMalfa will resign from office, giving up several months of salary and benefits.  As we know, Doug is running for Congress and campaigning hard to make sure he wins.  But his decision is not due to hubris.  By resigning today, taxpayers in his district will be spared the cost of one, and possibly two, special elections. That’s $2 million to $4 million saved is his sprawling district that stretches from Placer to Del Norte County.

This all started early this year when our long-time friend and Republican stalwart, Congressman Wally Herger, announced his retirement, and asked Doug LaMalfa to consider running for Congress. Wally wanted to make sure his rural district continued to be represented by a strong conservative and taxpayer watchdog with a background in agriculture. Doug LaMalfa fit the bill perfectly.

Doug’s only concern was what would happen in his State Senate district, where he was midway through his first term. Now that the dates have been worked out, those concerns have evaporated. His decision will mean big savings for taxpayers and his district will not suffer from any interruption in representation. By the time the Senate goes back into session, a new Senator will be in place.

Another conservative, Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, made a similar decision to protect taxpayers this year when he decided to not even file for the Assembly in order to avoid a series of costly special elections in his district. Jim now runs in the consolidated election in November to fill Doug’s seat. If he had taken the personally expedient route and filed for Assembly anyway, taxpayers in Jim’s district could be facing a $2 million bill for special elections that did not need to happen. Jim Nielsen has been a forceful voice for taxpayers, property rights and conservative values in the Assembly and he’ll fill LaMalfa’s substantial boots very well in the Senate.

Both these North State conservatives, Doug LaMalfa and Jim Nielsen, are looking out for taxpayers. That’s the kind of thoughtful, solid representation we can expect from them in their new districts.
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Lewis K. Uhler is the President of the National Tax Limitation Committee.

You can e-mail Lew Uhler, via the FR, here.