FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, August 28, 2004
Consumer Alliance for a Strong Economy Urges People to Call Senator Dean Florez and Ask Him About His Voting Record
(Sacramento, CA) – The Consumer Alliance for a Strong Economy (CASE), a statewide group of small business owners and consumers, will begin airing a new television commercial tomorrow (Sunday, August 29th) asking viewers to call Senator Dean Florez and ask him if he is really the “moderate” legislator he claims to be.
The advertisement of “Priceless” (see script attached) challenges Senator Florez to back up his statements indicating he is a “moderate” Democrat when his voting record is decidedly anti-small business, anti-entrepreneurship, and ultimately anti-consumer. CASE Executive Director Christopher Wysocki said of the advertisements, “We felt it was important to let the constituents of Senator Florez know the truth about his voting record. We further felt it was important to give Senator Florez the opportunity to respond and change his voting record long before he again faces the voters.” Senator Florez is in the middle of his first term, and is not up for election this November.
The advertisement, which will run on network television in the Fresno and Bakersfield media markets highlight several key votes made by Senator Florez that harm the business community, the farming community, and jeopardize the jobs of thousands of Californians (see attached fact sheet for references).
“CASE has been in existence for nearly two years, and we have been watching closely the votes made by Senator Florez and his colleagues in the Legislature. We believe legislators must be held accountable and they can’t claim to be one thing in their district and act as another in Sacramento without their record being made available to the public,” said Wysocki.
The Consumer Alliance for a Strong Economy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing more than 9,000 entrepreneurs, small businesses, and consumers across California. Established to educate the public about issues affecting the economy in California, CASE involves itself in matters of public policy debate. For more information, please visit www.ConsumerAlliance.org or call (916) 444-1502.
Media Fact Check Summary
“Priceless”
Script
Dean Florez talks like a moderate. But his voting record in Sacramento tells a different story. (Visual: Senator Florez at press conference)
Florez says he supports business, but he’s voted against business 89% of the time. (Visual: Voted Against Business 89% of the Time. Source: National Federation of Independent Business)
Florez says he supports agriculture, but he’s voted against farmers 90% of the time. (Visual: Voted Against Farmers 90% of the Time. Source: California Grape and Fruit Tree League)
According to the Chamber of Commerce, the bills Florez voted for will drive thousands of jobs out of California. (Visual: Stock footage of closed signs, empty buildings, etc.)
You decide. Is Dean Florez really a moderate? (Visual: Dean Florez at press conference. Text: Call Dean Florez today and tell him what you think about his votes in Sacramento. 559-264-3070.)
Facts – Priceless
According to the National Federation of Independent Business, Dean Florez voted on the side of small business only 11% of the time in 2002. Of 10 key bills highlighted by NFIB, Florez only voted with small business on one bill and did not vote on another. Please visit the NFIB website at www.nfib.com/page/homeCA for more information.
According to the California Grape and Fruit Tree League, Dean Florez voted against the interests of farmers 90% of the time in 2002. The California Grape and Fruit Tree League compiles a scorecard of legislative records, and of the bills selected by the League as being important to agriculture, Florez voted against the California Grape and Fruit Tree League 90% of the time according to the official 2002-2003 Legislative Scorecard.
According to the California Chamber of Commerce, Dean Florez’s votes in 2002 were for bills that called for mandated wage hikes (AB 2242), new employer crimes (AB 2752), more frivolous lawsuits (SB 688), mandated binding arbitration (SB 1736) and numerous others. For more information, visit www.CalChamber.com