In 2007, the League awarded Assembly Member Anna Caballero (D-28, Salinas) its “Legislator of the Year” award, in appreciation of her support for local government on a variety of issues throughout the legislative session.

Speaker Fabian Nuñez appointed Assembly Member Caballero as chair of the Assembly Committee on Local Government in her first term. In this position, she can imprint her expertise on every single bill going through the Legislature that affects local government. Assembly Member Caballero used her authority with integrity to ensure that legislation emerging from her committee made sense for local government.

Caballero demonstrated impressive leadership throughout her first term. As a former mayor of Salinas, she understands the vital role of local government and recognizes that making policy decisions at the state level requires balancing an array of ideas, interests and information. Caballero’s policy decisions in the Legislature move California cities forward while still retaining local flexibility. In her view, local governments are equal partners with the state, and she is committed to making sure that the state doesn’t issue any new unfunded mandates for local government.

She has tackled substantive issues, including affordable housing, infrastructure financing, food safety, water quality and treatment, local public safety and anti-gang efforts. During her first term in the Legislature, she introduced an impressive package of bills.

Recognizing Caballero’s Outstanding Efforts

In presenting the award during the League’s 2007 annual conference, League Immediate Past President Maria Alegria cited Caballero’s support of city priorities, particularly in her role as chair of the Assembly Committee on Local Government. “When making policy decisions at the state level,” Alegria said, “Anna hasn’t forgotten her local roots.”

“Assembly Member Caballero has consistently demonstrated her understanding of the importance of preserving local control, and she has worked hard to defend this principle this year as chair of the Assembly Committee on Local Government,” said League Executive Director Chris McKenzie. “I can think of no one more deserving of this award. The League looks forward to working with Assembly Member Caballero in the years to come.” 

This article appears in the January 2008 issue of Western City
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