Conservative Group Grades Lawmakers
Sacramento, CA — The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association issued its annual report card rating California lawmakers.
The organization is one of the leading conservative groups in the state, and has made headlines over the past year for its efforts to fight the state’s $150 fire tax in court.
Grades were issued similar to a school report card, and lawmakers could receive an A, B, C, D or F. 25 Republican lawmakers received A grades, and 79 Democrats received F grades.
District Five Republican Frank Bigelow and former Mother Lode Representative Kristen Olsen both received C grades on their report cards. HJTA Legislative Director David Wolfe says the lower grades primarily stemmed from their support of a $2.3 billion vehicle tax extension, AB 8. The money provides funding for alternative energy vehicle rebates and programs.
District 14 Republican Tom Berryhill received a B grade, also primarily due to his stance on AB 8. Wolfe says Berryhill abstained, instead of voting in favor or against, which is why he was docked down to a B.
District 1 Senator Ted Gaines, who represented Calaveras County prior to redistricting, received an A grade.
There were a total of 20 bills that carried some degree of weight in the HJTA report card.
