By Peter Day
Staff Writer
LUCERNE VALLEY — As far as California state legislators go, Assemblyman Jay Obernolte (R-Hesperia) had a productive 2016.
Obernolte introduced 12 bills, and four were signed by Gov. Jerry Brown.
“It was a very successful year for me,” Obernolte told members of the Lucerne Valley Economic Development Association last month.
Some of Obernolte 2016 highlights:
• Obernolte was chosen to serve on the California Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus.
• He serves as Vice Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee.
• The assemblyman authored Assembly Bill 1642, which extends fire tax payment or petition filing to 60 days.
• The governor signed Obernolte’s bills, AB 1712 and AB 2746, which allows state agencies to utilize digital signatures and increase government efficiency.
“We had really good bills for (assembly) district.”
But Obernolte said the Democrat-heavy state assembly approved legislature that will strap California for years to come. The budget signed by Gov. Brown, which Obernolte opposed, will spend billions more than last year.
“It’s not economically sustainable,” he said.
And by 2019-20, California “will have a several billion dollar deficit.”
“It’s not a pretty picture,” Obernolte told LVEDA members.
Obernolte continues to fight for local water hauling rights. He is against SB 1263, which would prohibit a city or a county from issuing a building permit for the construction of a new residential development “where a source of the water supply is water transported by a water hauler.”
“This is a terrible thing,” he said. “We’re going to try to get that fixed next year. We’ll see if we can get that fixed once and for all.”
Obernolte, who was elected to the assembly in 2014, affirmed his dislike for the Fire Prevention Fee.
“I believe it’s an illegal tax.”
Obernolte, who has conducted fire tax town halls including one in Lucerne Valley, supports a pending class action lawsuit. He is optimistic but expects an immediate appeal.
“I anticipate it will be a couple years before the dust settles,” he said.
Regarding raising the minimum wage, Obernolte said, “We need to divorce emotion from logic.”
“I believe these entry level jobs are supposed to be a gateway to the higher paying jobs.”
Obernolte also announced his bill to honor the late Sgt. Brian L. Walker with a section of State Route 247 being named in honor of the fallen hero had passed. A formal dedication, including signage, is expected next year.
Obernolte, who previously served as mayor of Big Bear Lake, will face Democratic challenger Scott Marcovich on Nov. 8. During the primary election, the incumbent garnered the most votes over Markovich, 61.6% to 38.4%.