Represents: A diverse coalition of monied special interests, and Anaheim, Orange, and Santa Ana
Supports: Enriching his own campaign while ignoring ways to put less stress on the wallets of Orange County and California residents
Opposes: Taking votes on over half the bills he could have delivered on constituents for
Shameful Vote: Asm. Valencia has done it again – landed on the shameful side of Courage Score, that is. Just like last year, he was the recipient of significant campaign donations from labor organizations, like Laborers’ International Union of North America, International Union of Operating Engineers, and American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, but their support didn’t always spur him to legislative action. Asm. Valencia avoided a vote on a critical worker protection bill, AB 2288, to shield workers from workplace retaliation.
What were they thinking?: Although he represents an Orange County district situated in a vulnerable location for the transfer of pollution and wildfire smoke from strong Santa Ana winds, he’s failed to be a champion for environmental justice legislation that would benefit his constituents. This year, Asm. Valencia did not vote on several significant climate bills, including AB 1042, AB 1963, and AB 1864, all of which regulate pesticide use in the state, and AB 1465 to increase penalties for air pollution. Would these bills have benefited AD-68? Sure, but they might have cut into the profits and priorities of dirty big dollar donors like Sempra Energy and Edison International.