The Bee Editorial Board endorses this Republican leader for the California Assembly | Opinion

Republican Asm. Heath Flora of the California Assembly’s 9th District has emerged as a bipartisan legislator who can work across the political aisle to confront problems such as retail theft and energy policy. Flora is seeking to be re-elected in November and faces Tami Nobriga of the American Independent Party of California.

Flora has our endorsement because he has earned the support of voters as a straight-talking elected official who is willing to search for shared solutions.

The district spans from Rancho Murieta in northern Sacramento County to Galt in the southern part of the county. Skirting Stockton, the district reaches the outskirts of Modesto. Flora represents portions of the Tuolumne River watershed, farmland dependent on groundwater and an edge of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Coming from a farming and fire-fighting background, Flora has drawn from these experiences since he was first elected to the Legislature in 2016. He has a true passion for the role of small businesses in the American economy and his district.

This past legislative session, Flora authored Assembly Bill 1892, which would allow a judge to intercept electronic communication if there is probable cause that a suspect is planning to commit or has committed the crime of child exploitation. The bill, which was signed into law recently by Gov. Gavin Newsom, was inspired by Flora’s experience observing a Sacramento County Sheriff’s sting operation last year.

Of particular concern to Flora is a proliferation of wage and working condition lawsuits against small businesses in his district via the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). He recounted instances when a local employee received a handful of dollars in a settlement while the attorney pocketed the rest.

With problems like this, “it’s really hard to sell people that things are getting better,” Flora said.

Flora has been a member of the California Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group of legislators that seek common ground on a variety of policy topics.

The assemblyman supports a renewable energy strategy that more formally recognizes the role of clean hydropower along with new solar and wind assets. Flora is also a champion of additional water storage as a primary foundation of a water strategy to improve California’s stormwater capture capabilities.

The Legislature needs leaders with farming and private sector experience — individuals who also can work with legislators, regardless of party affiliation.

“Feel free to reach out,” Flora said. “I’ll be honest.”

Re-electing Flora gives his district a chance for him to be true to his word.

This story was originally published October 8, 2024 at 3:03 PM with the headline "The Bee Editorial Board endorses this Republican leader for the California Assembly | Opinion."