Archived Opinion-Editorial

Separating Fact from Fiction on New Gas and Car Taxes

April 25, 2017
As Governor Brown prepares to sign Senate Bill 1 into law that contains the largest gas tax increase in California’s history, Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) today pushed back on certain claims regarding the bill’s purported virtues. As a strong opponent of SB 1, Bates...

Sacramento Bee: Letters: A step to limit big money in politics

March 9, 2017
Re “Lawmakers raised big money for ballot measures – but didn’t spend much of it” (Data Tracker, March 3): The article by The Sacramento Bee’s Jim Miller highlights the need to close loopholes that allow politicians to skirt individual campaign-contribution limits. I authored Senate Bill 1467 last...

Orange County Register: Choose Cooperation over Confrontation

February 6, 2017
The 2016 presidential election is over. With a new president and a new Congress, California’s leaders now face a choice: be at the table or be on the menu. When I watched Gov. Jerry Brown deliver his State of the State speech in Sacramento recently, I agreed when he said, “When California does well...

Sacramento Bee: Letters: Bill targets fentanyl traffickers

January 5, 2017
Re “ Fentanyl is deadly drug du jour ” (Editorials, Jan. 3): The editorial correctly points out that reversing the tragic trend of fentanyl-related deaths “will take work on many fronts.” Last year, I introduced Senate Bill 1323 with Sen. Bob Huff that would have added fentanyl to the list of drugs...

Orange County Register: Letters: How is Prop. 63 money being spent?

October 5, 2016
Re: “Where has $17 billion in California mental-health funds gone?” [Opinion, Sept. 18]: I share the desire of the Register’s editorial board in ensuring that the $17 billion generated by California’s Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63) is spent effectively. Last month, the Legislature...

Orange County Register: Imprisoned felons could determine outcome of local elections

August 29, 2016
As a former social worker, I believe in giving people second chances. But allowing felons to vote while still behind bars? That makes no sense.

San Diego Union-Tribune: Letters: Close the loopholes on contribution limits

August 26, 2016
In response to the U-T’s editorial, “ The problem with California ballot measure committees ” (Aug. 24), the editorial board is right about the need to close loopholes that allow politicians to skirt individual contribution limits. I authored Senate Bill 1467 that would limit the use of ballot...

Orange County Register: Letters: Hit the brakes on term limit extension

July 26, 2016
The Orange County Board of Supervisors is considering placing a measure on this November’s ballot that would ostensibly “strengthen” term limits. The board should reject this self-serving reform proposal crafted “by, for, and on behalf of Supervisor Shawn Nelson” because it is deceptive.

Pat's Perspective: June 2016

June 16, 2016
In this Issue: A Message from Pat | Budget Update | Legislative Update | Sober Living Homes | PTSD Month Aims to Broaden Awareness | Small Business of the Year | National Scholars | Community Spotlight: Vista | Upcoming Events | 36th District Highlights | Connect on Social Media

San Diego Union-Tribune: The truth behind California's hidden gas tax

May 2, 2016
When Californians pay gas taxes at the pump, we expect that money to go toward California’s roads and bridges. Unfortunately, this is not entirely the case.

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