Selecting our FlashReport State Senator of the year for 2007 was not an easy task. There are a great group of conservatives in the California State Senate, and many of those are deserving of much praise. When we look back at 2007, there was one most-defining event for the State Senate – the budget battle of last summer. Senate Republicans demonstrated solidarity in holding out on voting for a bloated budget, with their actions ultimately, predictably, and unfortunately having been proven to have been right on the mark. Ultimately, Senate Republicans should have held out for more extensive and meaningful spending reductions – but, hind sight is 20/20. During the budget standoff, I had the opportunity to dialogue directly with many of the Senate Republicans, and as such have what I believe is a pretty accurate of the machinations that take place “behind closed doors” during that kind of stressful and epic showdown.
While the budget situation last year was perhaps the pinnacle moment for conservatives in the Senate to show their commitment, we also look for a Senator who maintains a solid record against bills that grow the size and scope of state government, and against bills that impose more “nanny state” regulations on the rest of us. Other factors to consider include whether the Senator works hard to elect other conservatives, and participates as a “part” of an overall conservative movement in the state.
Let me add that I received over 30 very well articulated e-mails from FlashReport readers in essence “nominating” a total of 10 members of the Senate Republican Caucus (and one poor soul who made the case for why Don Perata should get our highest Senate honors – LOL).
After careful consideration and consultation, we are awarding the FlashReport 2007 State Senator of the Year Award to Republican Jim Battin, who represents Riverside County in the upper chamber.
There is no doubt that Jim Battin played an absolutely critical role within the Senate Republican Caucus in last summer’s budget show-down. He played a leadership role in unifying the caucus behind what we call a “Three Muskateers” mentality – all for one, and one for all. At a time when incredible pressure was being placed on Senate Republicans to fold, Jim Battin was a constant voice in his caucus, fighting back with the power of facts and figures, and reminding his colleagues of the importance of the principles upon which they were all elected. Frankly, and this not intended to take away from any of Battin’s colleagues who stood in solidarity against the big, fat, bloated ’07 budget, I believe that were it not for Battin’s leadership, the budget would have been approved that much sooner and we would have been that much worse off. I will close on the state budget by saying that if it seemed at the time like Battin’s role was more subdued, it’s because he truly was operating behind the scenes, within the tight circle of his colleagues, desiring no “credit” and accepting none. Of course, to the end, Battin opposed the decision of his own caucus to ultimately have Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman provide the final needed vote. Looking back, he was right. The budget passed in ’07 has made the financial situation going into this year much, much worse.
In 2007, the California Republican Assembly produced their Legislative Scorecard, rating legislators on their votes on a number of key bills. Only a few legislators earned a coveted 100% score from the CRA, and one of those was Jim Battin. This underscored that his resolute position on the high-profile budget was actually indicative of his application of conservative principles to a myriad of key issues before him in the 2007 legislative session. Jim has consistently received high ratings from groups like the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the California Taxpayers Association, and the Chamber of Commerce. Perhaps equally notable, and commendable, is the poor rankings that he receives from those left-wing groups that rate a legislators worth based on how much they raise taxes and curtain individual freedoms.
Of course, and perhaps this gave Battin an extra leg up on the other finalists – but we think it is significant that he has volunteer untold hours personally blogging for this website. Whether bringing us insights during the budget fight (always careful never to break the confidences of his colleagues) and highlighting waste in state government (over and over and over), Battin’s commitment to blogging is demonstration that he is in this for the long term, caring about the battles in the context of the overall war against an ever-expanding government.
It is also worthy of a mention that Battin ran unsuccessfully to be the leader of his caucus – twice. I mention this not to pour salt on old wounds, but to point out that it is a statement of someone’s character that they continue to provide leadership, and play a key role, despite not having been successful in those bids. I think that speaks highly of the Senator.
In assessing Senator Battin and the 2007 session, we can’t say that we support every decision he has made. But legislators are all part of the human race and as such, no one is perfect. Lord knows we here at the FlashReport are not. But these were relatively minor issues, when taken in the totality of Battin’s tremendous positive contributions.
But when you look at the commitment, and the leadership exhibited by Jim Battin last year, it is easy to honor him with FlashReport’s top honors for the State Senate. Congratulations, Senator Battin!
P.S. Winners of our 2007 State Senate, State Assemblymember, and U.S. Representative of the Year honors all get a special gift (that falls within the legal limits of course) – though nothing from Louis Vuitton, and no fancy French wine. Look for our Assemblymember of the Year Award later this week, and we’ll present honors to a member of the California Congressional Delegation next week.
Care to read comments, or make your own about our selection of Senator Battin for this award?
Just click here to go to the FR Weblog, where this Commentary has its own blog post, and where you can read and make comments.