Senate candidate speaks at Rotary

Former Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa went on the attack concerning the state's budget and water crisis at a recent Corning Rotary Club meeting.

"This state's Legislature is already way upside down on the budget again. It can't even get three months taken care of and we are again $1.1 billion short," LaMalfa, who is runnng for state Senate, said at the luncheon on Wednesday.

He said the Legislature should justify every penny spent, and that tax dollars not be spent on any programs that do not directly improve the economy.

LaMalfa, a Richvale rice farmer, also suggests the state stop placing regulations on everything.

"Businesses are being choked with state-mandated regulations. That does not help in raising the tax base or fostering a positive attitude," he said. "Over regulation is causing our tax base to leave the state."

Referring to global warming regulations, LaMalfa said, "We are already better stewards of the environment and don't need to be bound up by regulations."

Nor does he feel the state's water situation is in critical condition, and is not in favor of the current water bond legislation signed by the governor.

"There is so much unharnessed water in this state," LaMalfa said. "But when legislation is passed in the name of habitat for fish over the needs of people, there is a problem. I'm not against fish, but when do human needs take precedence over what some people perceive as needs of fish."

He is also against the idea of people having to pay for the water solution through a bond.

"There is only one section of the water bond that could work, and that is $3 billion for water storage out of the $11.1 billion bond," LaMalfa said. "And it is going to take $22 billion to pay the bond back."

He claims the California agriculture industry is almost in third world status as thousands of acres goes fallow due to a lack of water supply.

LaMalfa also claims the state is in a manmade drought due to irresponsible legislation.

"The state talks green these days and then talks about tearing down dams that provide renewable energy. They are talking out both sides of their mouths," he stated.

The former assemblyman responded to questions about the legalization of marijuana and illegal immigration.

He is against legalizing marijuana, citing it will only produce more health issues and turn into a free-for-all in cultivation, sales, and use.

"We are trying to stop people from smoking and passing legislation on that all the time, and then turn around and talk about legalizing marijuana," he said. "Now that just makes absolutely no sense to me."

As for illegal immigration, LaMalfa feels the government needs to enforce border control, yet still allow people to come into the country to work on authorized documentation.

LaMalfa will be on the ballot as a candidate for senate in the June 2010 primary.