FLASHREPORT

BUILDING A STRONG REPUBLICAN FUTURE FOR CALIFORNIA

An exclusive column penned for the FlashReport by Assembly GOP Caucus Chairman Bob Huff.

On Friday, I was honored to have been selected Republican Caucus Chair by Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines. 

The Republican Caucus Chair is the second-highest ranking Republican in the State Assembly, and I look forward to playing an important part in supporting our Republican team's agenda for California’s future in my new role.  Working closely with Assemblyman Villines, I will join our leadership team in promoting legislation authored by Assembly Republicans, while taking our message to the people as a party spokesman. 

There are eleven new Republican members of the State Assembly taking office this year, each of them coming from a unique set of backgrounds and experiences, and representing distinct communities across the state.  I will work hard to bring my colleagues together, as a team, to advance our priorities like fiscal responsibility, government accountability and no new taxes.

Since his election, I believe that Assemblyman Villines has been an extraordinary leader for our party, and I am proud to stand by his side to help lead our team and shape the debate in our State Capitol. 

There are many important issues facing the State, but at the top of our Republican agenda for 2007 is taking the drawing of legislative district lines away from Sacramento politicians and restoring those powers to the people. Assemblyman Villines recently introduced Assembly Constitutional Amendment 4, a redistricting reform measure that would create an independent citizens’ commission charged with drawing compact districts that maximize competition at the ballot box, while keeping communities together where possible. 

I commend Governor Schwarzenegger for showing tremendous leadership on redistricting by advancing his own reform measure and holding lawmakers’ feet to the fire to get the job done.  Republicans will work closely with him and my Democrat colleagues to meet our shared goal – adopting bipartisan redistricting reform that restores a healthy democracy in California.

Additionally, California’s ongoing budget problems will continue to be a serious issue in 2007.  The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst recently forecast that our state faces a $5.5 billion budget shortfall next year and large deficits in future years.  Legislators must be fiscally responsible when crafting next year’s state budget, and finally get serious about eliminating the structural budget deficit.  Our caucus believes that we should better prioritize spending this year to meet people’s needs, resist the urge to create costly new programs that will break the bank and reject the irresponsible call to raise taxes on families and businesses.

In the months ahead, Republican Leader Villines stands ready to roll up his sleeves and work across party lines in the Big 5 negotiations with Governor Schwarzenegger and the Democratic leadership on the critical issues facing our state.  I will stand with him as we defend taxpayers during discussions on the state budget and health care, and fiercely advocate for Republican principles. 

Republicans have a tremendous opportunity to succeed this year by promoting common-sense reforms like redistricting and demanding fiscal responsibility to address our budget shortfall.  I am ready to assist every step of the way, as we work together to restore the Republican Party as the majority party in this state, and build a stronger California.