We believe this Republican is the choice for California’s Ninth Assembly District | 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. Facing no opponent from the Democratic Party, Flora’s re-election appears to be a foregone conclusion. But he has earned the support of voters as a straight-talking elected official who is willing to search for shared solutions.

The ninth district spans from Rancho Murieta in Sacramento County to the north to Galt, skirting Stockton and reaching 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. 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. Flora has PAGA reform (to cap the settlement payouts to attorneys) as an important small business reform as the caucus continues discussions on issues including retail theft and the role of hydrogen in energy. This is exactly the kind of representation for a district that can’t rely on a big city to move the political needle.

Flora supports Proposition 1, Gov. Newsom’s $6.38 billion bond on the March ballot to expand California’s mental health system with more treatment and housing opportunities for veterans and homeless individuals. He has generally voted to place bonds on the ballot to let voters decide but sees the need to “exercise a little bit of caution” on additional bonds at the moment given the state’s unresolved budget crisis.

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 January 27, 2024 at 5:00 AM.