Strickland says experience matters
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Assemblymember Audra Strickland

Assemblymember Audra Strickland (R-Moorpark) is seeking a second term because she believes her conservative views are shared by most of her constituents. Her 37th District includes Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Camarillo, Moorpark and Simi Valley.

Strickland has introduced measures to reduce property taxes and eliminate thesales tax on gasoline. She proposed increased prison time for child predators and the end of free college tuition for illegal immigrants.

"Our economy is finally picking up because our state has not increased taxes in the last couple of years," Strickland said.

Regarding illegal aliens, Strickland wants to stop welfare programs. She also wants the borders to be secure and she opposes all forms of amnesty.

Unlawful immigration, Strickland said, has hurt public schools, healthcare, the economy, jobs, housing and social services. And crime goes up when people move here illegally, she said.

Many of her bills are based on the ideas of residents, Strickland said.

"During this term, we were able to pass AB-711, a legislation approved unanimously to make it easier for seniors to get immunization shots," she said.

Strickland was also supported by animal welfare advocates, owners of wild predatory animals, zoos and the California Department of Fish and Game to pass AB-820, a bill coauthored by two Democrats. It calls for the humane treatment of exotic animals. The bill came in the wake of a Ventura County incident in which a tiger escaped from his cage and was killed by authorities.

Strickland is working with Assemblyman Pedro Nava of Santa Barbara to help residents who are forced by the state to upgrade their septic tanks.

Promoting good legislation isn't enough, said Strickland. "As legislators, we also need to stop bad legislation," she said.

Strickland wants to continue to be a strong Republican voice in Sacramento.

Experience, she said, is an asset. With term limits, constituents benefit from elected officials who know the legislative process and who have developed relationships with their representatives on both sides of the aisle, she said.

"Because of my experience working in and for the legislature . . . I was able to hit the ground running and was able to deliver for our community on Day One," Strickland said."I am proud to have one of the highest bill passage rates for first-term Republican members."

Strickland lives in Moorpark with her husband, former Assemblymember Tony Strickland, and their baby daughter, Ruby.

Audra Strickland is a former junior high school teacher who also worked as a legislative aide in the capitol before she moved to the classroom.