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).
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