Wolk a better choice to replace Machado

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M ichael Machado has represented the 5th Senate District, which stretches from Manteca to north of Woodland, for eight years. He is being forced out by term limits. Voters will choose between two Assembly members who represent small corners of the district -- Greg Aghazarian of Stockton and Lois Wolk of Davis.

Wolk has the stronger record of the two. A teacher who has spent two terms representing the 8th District in the Assembly, she has proved to be an effective legislator. One of her major achievements last year was a bill to encourage regional planning of flood control facilities, with limitations on new flood plain construction after 2015. While this bill wasn't as strong as we would have liked, Wolk battled the Building Industry Association for two years. In the end, she managed to pass a bill that will improve flood control planning and possibly save lives.

Though we don't agree with her on the future of Hetch Hetchy -- she favors eliminating the dam and restoring the valley -- she is knowledgable on water issues. Wolk has also pushed legislation to prevent elder abuse and crack down on fraudulent mortgages.

Aghazarian is campaigning as an independent voice favoring a nonpartisan in the Legislature, but during his years in the Assembly he has stuck very close to the Republican line. Of more concern: he has been Stockton-centric, paying little attention to the almost half of Stanislaus County that he is supposed to represent.

Wolk has passed bills, has worked well with the governor and has developed a relationship with Darrell Steinberg, the next Senate president pro tem. Her knowledge and clout should serve the 5th Senate District well in coming years.