“I commend the Governor for voicing the Republican principle of fiscal responsibility. Although the Governor argued for fiscal restraint, he was silent on critical budget reforms like a hard spending cap and a real reserve. The budget is not fixed; it is funded with temporary tax increases.

“The Governor must make substantive and enduring reforms to CEQA, not cosmetic changes.

“What’s missing in the Governor’s address is public safety. Realignment is a social experiment that is not working and is putting our lives in danger with the release of habitual convicted felons.”

Assemblyman Jim Nielsen was joined by public safety leaders and families of crime victims, speaking against AB 109, the Public Safety Realignment, during a press conference at the State Capitol, Monday, October 8, 2012.

Every speaker advocated for the immediate repeal of the failed Realignment experiment, which has victimized hundreds of individuals since its implementation a year ago.

Assemblyman Jim Nielsen speaks up against Assembly Bill 2676 (Calderon), which passed off the Assembly Floor August 30, 2012. This bill would impose upon farmers new regulations, punishable by imprisonment in county jail for up to six months and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

Nielsen advocated for the importance of a two thirds vote over a simple majority, and opposed authorizing cities, counties, and special districts to lower the required vote threshold from two thirds to a simple majority vote, for a parcel tax.

Assemblyman Jim Nielsen expressing strong opposition to Senate Bill 9, which passed the Assembly Floor on a minimum party-line vote.
SB 9 would allow inmates, who were juveniles when they committed a special circumstances crime that would have resulted in the death penalty sentence for an adult; instead they were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, to petition the court for resentencing, making them eligible for parole.

Assemblyman Jim Nielsen on KGO, The Monty Show speaking on the Death Penalty. (4.8 MB)

Assemblyman Jim Nielsen made the following comments during the passage of remaining budget trailer bills voted on June 27, 2012 in the State Assembly. (2.0 MB)