Assembly members deliver 'State of the State' over lunch
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

Two local Assembly members gave their take on state issues at Wednesday's State of the State 2007 luncheon, discussing everything from the problems with universal healthcare to the size of their offices in Sacramento.

Audra Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) and Cameron Smyth (RSanta Clarita) spoke to a group of local business owners at an event hosted by the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce at the Grand Vista Hotel.

Strickland pushed her "truth in government" bill, which would require agency heads to be honest when dealing with the state government, a standard which apparently hasn't been mandated.

"We don't have problems with truthfulness in Simi Valley," Strickland said. "The council members are trustworthy. But that's not what we've seen elsewhere. There's a lack of accountability."

Strickland serves Simi Valley constituents who live south of Royal Avenue as well as surrounding areas including Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Camarillo.

Janine Montoya, who introduced the assemblywoman, said her morals are a big part of what makes her so popular with local constituents.

"She stands very strong in a difficult place to have the principals we have," Montoya said. "She's really the minority, but she stands strong."

Strickland, nearly eight months' pregnant, will be only the third assemblywoman to give birth while in office, Montoya said.

Smyth, a former member of the Santa Clarita City Council, is a freshman assemblyman just six months into his term. He's still learning the ropes, he said, and has found that many of the ideas he thinks up in his tiny office get picked up by others.

"They take my ideas all the time," Smyth said of his colleagues. "I guess that's what happens when you're a freshman rep. I think it was (Ronald) Reagan who said there's no limit to what you can get accomplished if you don't care who gets the credit. Boy, I'm getting tested on that."

Smyth represents Santa Clarita, parts of the San Fernando Valley and Simi Valley north of Royal Avenue.

Some bills that come across the floor have surprised him. Smyth said he was "amazed" that he and his colleagues discussed a piece of legislation that would ban light bulbs to promote compact fluorescent lighting, which is more energyefficient. The bill was written by Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys), who also represents West Hills.

"It's better to have the market drive it, instead of a ban," Smyth said. "It should be my decision."

Smyth was also sad to see a bill pass that will ban Mrs. Butterworth's syrup because of a chemical that is harmful to the workers who create it. While Smyth would have preferred to create better safety standards for workers, he said, the ban was approved. The assemblyman encouraged the group to stock up at Costco before the syrup was off the shelves.

Both Strickland and Smyth are against the universal healthcare bills. Strickland compared the concept to a Las Vegas bargain buffet.

"There are long lines to get in, and if there's anything good like prime rib or crab legs, there's a long line there too," Strickland said. "There's a lot of mediocre food, and nothing is really tasty. And we tend to overconsume and waste more at those buffets. That's what it will be like if we open the doors for everyone."

Strickland said the number of uninsured people, typically estimated to be 6.5 million, is inaccurate.

"Two million of those are illegal," Strickland said. "Many are self-employed and choose not to insure themselves or qualify for government programs but choose not to enroll. I'd say there are really just about 1 million to 1.5 million who are legitimately uninsured.

"It's not worth turning our system upside down for this population," she added.