Just a Few Quick Questions for Assemblyman Chris Norby

During the Assembly debate over a resolution, which carries no force of law, urging people to not curse during the first week of March, freshman lawmaker, Chris Norby, a Fullerton Republican, rose and told his colleagues:

“With the state broke, I don’t know if this is what we should be spending our time on in here.”

Absolutely true.

So, Assemblyman Norby, does that mean you will not be voting on SCR 68, a similarly non-binding resolution by Sen. Tony Strickland, a Thousand Oaks Republican, proclaiming February 6, 2011 Ronald Reagan Day in commemoration of the centennial of the 40^th president’s birth?

Does that mean you will not be voting on SB 963, another offering by Sen. Strickland?

This bill would authorize construction of a “memorial statue to Ronald Reagan in the Capitol Historic Region.” Paid for through private donations – not taxpayer dollars.

How about SB 944 by Sen. George Runner, a Lancaster Republican?

Runner’s bill expresses “findings and declarations of the Legislature relating to Ronald Reagan.”

Since you’re new, Chris, if permissible to call you Chris, “findings and declarations” is, in this case, legislative parlance for platitudes.

Among some of the findings and declarations in Sen. Runner’s bill:

“Ronald Wilson Reagan was a man of humble background who worked throughout his life serving freedom and advancing the public good.”

There are divergent views

Elsewhere in the bill:

“When Ronald Reagan was inaugurated President, he inherited a disillusioned nation shackled by rampant inflation and high unemployment.”

Not sure Jimmy Carter saw it that way. And:

“Ronald Reagan’s commitment to the nation’s children helped lower crime and drug use in our neighborhoods.”

Presumably making it even easier, Assemblyman Norby, for you to just say “no.”

Again, as Norby the Newby, you might not be aware that there are four school days during which various curricular activities are encouraged.

The second Wednesday in May is the Day of the Teacher. April 6 is California Poppy Day. April 21 is John Muir Day. And May 22 is Harvey Milk Day.

On Day of the Teacher, instructor-shaped pinatas are suspended from classroom ceilings and beaten upon by stick-wielding students. Just kidding. Actually, teachers are urged to direct “attention to teachers and the teaching profession”

On California Poppy Day, teachers are urged to honor the California Poppy, including “instruction about native plants, particularly the California Poppy, and the economic and aesthetic value of wildflowers; promoting responsible behavior toward our natural resources and a spirit of protection toward them; and emphasizing the value of natural resources and conservation of natural resources.”

On John Muir Day, the goal is to stress “the importance that an  ecologically sound natural environment plays in the quality of life for all of us,” and emphasize “John Muir’s significant contributions to the fostering of that awareness and the indelible mark he left on the state.”

On Harvey Milk Day – created last year before your arrival – exercises are aimed at “remembering the life of Harvey Milk, recognizing his accomplishments, and familiarizing pupils with the contributions he made to this state.”

Sen. Runner’s bill would make February 6 Ronald Reagan Day where the goal is pretty much the same as Harvey Milk Day except its Ronald Reagan’s life and accomplishments pupils focus on.

Finally, how about AB 1911 which creates within state government the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission to “celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth.”

Without using any taxpayer money, the commission is to create appropriate means to allow Californians to celebrate Ronald Reagan’s life by honoring, promoting, and remembering his achievements for this state and country.”

Actually, you might want to vote for this bill even though, like the previous ones mentioned, it snugly fits your publicly stated criteria for opposition: Plenty of more important issues for the Legislature to be spending time on.

Your Assembly GOP Leader, Martin Garrick of Carlsbad, authored AB 1911. this measure. It’s probably prudent not to get him riled up. If you do, there goes the cool committee assignments and a shot at becoming the powerful caucus secretary

Hopefully, this has been instructive. Looking forward to your answers.

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