Huber sees appreciation from sheriffs across the state

Alyson Huber may be new to the State Assembly game, but law enforcement officials across California like what they're seeing from her.

On Jan. 14, the California State Sheriffs' Association declared Amador County's assemblymember Outstanding Legislator of 2009. The recognition came on the heels of Huber wrapping up her first year in office.

"The sheriffs of California are very pleased to present this award to Assemblymember Huber," Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness said in a statement. "Even as our economic times become more critical, she has been very clear that public safety is a top priority."

The CSSA is comprised of 58 elected sheriffs throughout the state. The group gave Huber high marks for working closely with various sheriffs on "critical law enforcement issues." One example cited was child safety. Huber authored Assembly Bill 870, which would add razor blades and box cutters to the list of potential weapons that are banned from school campuses. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 870 into law in October.

More relevant to Amador, Huber's been on the forefront of battling methamphetamine-related crime. With support from Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan, Huber wrote Assembly Bill AB 640, which allows prosecutors to treat meth dealers the same as cocaine, heroin and PCP dealers.

"Not only has she been supportive of issues the state sheriff's association believes in, she also taken a lead role in identifying problems that are affecting the people she represents," Ryan told the Ledger Dispatch. "AB 640 is a good example of that." AB 640 is currently in the Senate Committee on Public Safety.

In April 2009, Ryan went to the State Capitol to testify about his support for AB 640. Presenting hard numbers about the correlation between crime in Amador and methamphetamine addiction and sales - including crimes against children - Ryan told members of the State Assembly that Huber's bill would help protect innocent victims and the public at large. While at the hearing, Ryan was impressed with how Huber handled herself.



"She's very effective at communicating her point and arguing for what she believes in," Ryan observed. "When you look at that, as well as how supportive she's been of law enforcement and how easy she is to work with, I think the recognition was well-deserved."

The Sacramento County Deputy Sheriffs' Association has already announced that it will back Huber in the next election.

Excerpted from www.ledger-dispatch.com