Larry McCarthy, president of the California Taxpayers’ Association since 1989, died Saturday in Sacramento after a long struggle with cancer. He was 59 years old.

“California’s taxpayers have lost a friend and ally,” Cal-Tax Board of Directors Chair John Cmelak Cmelak said. “For more than 30 years, Larry provided an effective, articulate voice for lower taxes and greater government accountability, and he did so with unmatched integrity and grace.”

McCarthy participated in too many statewide ballot measure campaigns to mention, defending taxpayers against unnecessary tax hikes and speaking out for improved government efficiency.   In 2000, he signed the ballot argument for Proposition 35, which amended the state constitution to allow contracting out for engineering and architectural services for public works projects.

In the early 1980s, he was the lead advocate and strategist for two $300 million unemployment insurance tax reductions and a complete refinance of the California unemployment insurance system.  These efforts played a major role in strengthening the economy, helping businesses prosper and creating new employment opportunities for Californians.

McCarthy joined Cal-Tax as a legislative advocate in 1976, coming from Washington, where he had served as a government finance specialist for the Washington State Research Council.  Early in his career at Cal-Tax, he wrote two editions of the Citizens Guide to Local Government Budgeting, and as research director, he supervised extensive research projects on local government finance in California, winning a national award for research on the use of benefit assessments in California after passage of Proposition 13.

He was promoted to president in 1989, and served in that capacity until his death. From 1993 to 1995, he also served as chairman of the National Taxpayers Conference, a nationwide organization of state taxpayer associations.

In 2006, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer. Through much of his illness, he continued to work on behalf of taxpayers.

At a November tribute to McCarthy, friends and colleagues gathered at the Sterling Hotel to share stories and praise his commitment to taxpayers, his integrity, and his genuine concern for the people he worked with.  Several speakers noted that McCarthy was a deeply religious man who volunteered at a local assisted-living facility to ensure that residents would receive Holy Communion even if they could not travel to church.

“If you look up the term ‘class act’ in the dictionary, there’s a picture of Larry McCarthy,” Cal-Tax Acting President Teresa Casazza said. “He was more than just an outstanding advocate for taxpayers, he was an outstanding person who had an impact on everyone he met.”

He is survived by his wife, Sandy, and his children Steve, Michelle and Christine.  Steve is a policy consultant for the Senate Republican Caucus.

Cal-Tax has set up a tribute at www.caltax.org, along with an online guestbook for those who would like to share thoughts and memories.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at Divine Savior Catholic Church, 9079 Greenback Lane, Orangevale.  Rosary is at 10:30 a.m., with Mass at 11 a.m.  Burial will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Folsom, followed by reception at Divine Savior Church.

In lieu of flowers, the McCarthy family will be arranging for a charitable purpose where donations can be made. The Cal-Tax website will be updated when information becomes available.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 3rd, 2007 at 12:00 am and is filed under Blog Posts.