Written by Christopher Wysocki, Executive Director, CASE
Senator Dean Florez
State Capitol, Room 4090
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax (916) 327-5989
2550 Mariposa Mall, Suite 2016
Fresno, CA 93721
Fax 559-445-6506
1800 30th Street, Suite 350
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Fax 661-395-2622
Dear Senator Florez:
On behalf of the Consumer Alliance for a Strong Economy, I want to take this opportunity to answer some questions you have raised in the media about who we are as well as to allow you the courtesy of correcting any perceived misinterpretation of your voting record in Sacramento.
First, let me start by saying that the Consumer Alliance for a Strong Economy has been in existence since 2002, and we have steadily increased our membership to over 10,000 concerned citizens across California. Small business owners, consumers, and concerned individuals from across our state have banded together to promote public policy that will improve our state’s economic climate.
Recent news reports have indicated that you disagree with our portrayal of your voting record. Therefore, on our website, we would like to post your responses to the issues raised in our ads about your voting record.
If you would be so kind as to answer the questions below and respond back to us, we will gladly post your answers on our website and issue a public press release about your responsiveness to our request.
In our advertisement, we cite the fact that you have promised in the past not to raise taxes, yet the California Taxpayers Association in its rankings reports that you vote against taxpayers on a regular basis (62% over the past three years). Is it true that you told the League of Women Voters that you “won’t raise taxes,” and do you disagree with the California Taxpayers Association assessment of your voting record
In our advertisement, we cite that you have voted against small businesses 80% of the time (National Federation of Independent Business scorecards over the past three years). Do you disagree with the National Federation of Independent Business assessment of your voting record?
In our advertisement, we cite that you have voted against agriculture interests on a regular basis (California Grape and Tree Fruit League scorecards over the past three years). Do you disagree with the California Grape and Tree Fruit League assessment of your voting record?
In our advertisement, we reference a Fresno Bee article where you were quoted as saying, “ Sacramento cannot dictate forced labor negotiations between farmers and farm workers.” We further mention that you voted to take away collective bargaining rights and force contracts on workers and farmers. Is it true that on December 8, 1999, you made the above mentioned comment to the Fresno Bee? And, did you indeed vote for SB 1736 that allows the government to impose labor contracts?
In our advertisement, we point out that Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed 238 bills that you voted for. Do you disagree with our assessment of your voting record with respect to the Governor’s vetoes?
In our advertisement, we state that you have in the past claimed to be a moderate legislator. This was taken from your biography published in the Fresno Bee (www.fresnobee.com/man/projects/florez/bio.html). Have you identified yourself as a moderate legislator in the past and do you still consider yourself a moderate legislator?
The Consumer Alliance for a Strong Economy is an organization that is committed to advancing policies and ideas that benefit the economic climate of California. We are further committed to educating the public about issues that affect the general well being of our state. Please feel free to visit our website to learn more about our philosophy and past public education efforts.
We look forward to your answers to our questions, and we will promptly post your reply on our website and inform our supporters and members of your responses.
Respectfully,
Christopher Wysocki
Consumer Alliance for a Strong Economy
P.S. You may send your responses to the Consumer Alliance for a Strong Economy, 921 11 th Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814. Or, you may fax to (916) 444-0128. Thank you for your attention to this matter.