Bob Huff

Bob Huff
California State Senate Republican Leader
In office
January 5, 2012 – August 27, 2015
Preceded by Bob Dutton
Succeeded by Jean Fuller
California State Senate
Republican Caucus Chair
In office
August 1, 2009 – January 5, 2012
Preceded by George Runner
Succeeded by Tom Harman
Member of the California State Senate
from the 29th district
Assumed office
December 1, 2008
Preceded by Bob Margett
Succeeded by Josh Newman
California State Assembly
Republican Caucus Chair
In office
December 8, 2006 – November 30, 2008
Preceded by Greg Aghazarian
Succeeded by Cameron Smyth
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 60th district
In office
December 6, 2004 – November 30, 2008
Preceded by Bob Pacheco
Succeeded by Curt Hagman
Personal details
Born (1953-09-09) September 9, 1953
Calexico, California
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Mei Mei Huff[1]
Residence San Dimas, California
Alma mater Westmont College
Occupation Agriculture Businessman
Religion Protestant
Website Senator Bob Huff

Robert S. Huff (born September 9, 1953) is an American businessman and politician, who was the California State Senate Minority Leader and Senate Republican Leader from January 5, 2012 until to August 27, 2015.[2] Since December 1, 2008, he has represented the Senate's 29th District, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties.

Early life

Born on September 9, 1953 in Calexico, California, Huff grew up on his family's farm near El Centro.[3] He has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Westmont College,[4] and his business background is in grain handling and commodity wholesaling.[5][6]

Political career

Diamond Bar

Huff served on the Diamond Bar City Council, and was mayor of the city in 1997 and 2001.[5] He was also involved in local transportation issues, serving on the Four Corners Transportation Policy Group, Foothill Transit, and the Alameda Corridor East Construction Authority.[5]

State Assembly

Huff was elected to the California State Assembly in 2004, defeating Gail Pacheco, the wife of term-limited Bob Pacheco. The election was considered an upset.[7] Reelected in 2006, he was a member of the California State Assembly until 2008.

State Senate

Huff was elected to the California State Senate for the 29th district in 2008, succeeding the term-limited Bob Margett. In 2012, he was elected by the Republican Caucus to succeed the term-limited Bob Dutton as Senate Republican Leader.[6] After the 2012 California State Senate elections, Huff was re-elected Senate Republican Leader.[8] His current term runs until 2016, when due to term limits Huff will not be able to run for re-election (to the State Senate).

Huff is a member of the Senate Education Committee and has authored legislation affecting K-12 education. He is an advocate of charter schools,[9] school choice, and standardized testing.[10] He supported SB 161,[11] which allows trained volunteers to administer emergency medication to students with epilepsy who suffer a seizure at school. Huff introduced Senate Bill 1295,[12] a measure to approve the placement of commercial advertisements on the exterior of school-buses. This bill was rejected by the Senate Education Committee but was given an option to be re-introduced at a later time.[13] He introduced Senate Bill 1116 with Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), which defined and regulated "heritage schools", private after-school programs that teach foreign language and culture and required them to register with the California Department of Education instead of being licensed as child day care centers by the California Department of Social Services (DSS)[14][15] Huff opposed a plan that would have replaced the current testing system with new tests based on the Common Core learning goals. Because test scores would be unavailable during the new test's two-year trial period, the U.S. Department of Education threatened to impose financial penalties on the state. The alternative supported by Huff was to require the use of both the old and the new test during that period. The state Senate approved the bill.[16]

Huff cast a deciding vote in 2009 on a Senate rule waiver that allowed a measure on environmental exemptions favorable to one of Huff's donors, Majestic Realty.[17] This vote led to criticism, as Majestic was also a client of his wife's consulting business.[1] In 2011, Huff opposed Governor Jerry Brown’s plan to abolish California’s redevelopment agencies.[17]

In a state government that as of 2012 is controlled by Democrats with super majorities in both houses,[18] Huff has a reputation as a moderate Republican. The Los Angeles Times opined that "Senate Republican leader Bob Huff of Diamond Bar was more pragmatic, given his party's weakened political position in Sacramento. Brown 'is the most conservative of the three leading Democrats in Sacramento,' Huff said."[19] Huff has worked with Brown on issues such as California's prison crisis.[20]

Committee memberships

Huff serves on the Senate Education Committee and is the past Vice Chair of the Senate Budget Committee. He also serves as a member of the Joint Committee on Senate Rules, the Select Committees of Asian Pacific Islander Affairs, California Job Creation and Retention, California’s Horse Racing Industry, Earthquake and Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery and High-Speed Rail committees.[21]

Huff's sub-committee assignments include: Education: Sustainable School Facilities and Education: Policy Research.

Positions and affiliations

On education, Huff received an 83% rating from the California State University system in 2011.[22] He received an 11% rating in 2012 from the California School Employees Association.[23] On business and labor issues, in 2012 he was rated 100% by the California Chamber of Commerce[24] and 12% by the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.[25] He received a 100% rating from the California Pro-Life Council in 2012[26] and a 20% rating from Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California in 2013.[27] He received a 92% rating from the National Rifle Association in 2012.[28]

In addition, he has received the following ratings: [29]

Interest group Rating Year
American Cancer Society, California Division 53% 2012
American Conservative Union 91% 2012
California Communities United Institute 42% 2011
California Farm Bureau Federation 100% 2007
California League of Conservation Voters 5% 2012
California Park and Recreation Society 75% 2011-12
California National Organization for Women 8% 2009
California's Political Action Committee for Animals 0% 2011
California Taxpayers Association 100% 2012[30]
Children's Advocacy Institute 58% 2011
Congress of California Seniors 37% 2012
Consumer Federation of California 13% 2012
Drug Policy Forum of California (DPFCA) 0% 2012
Republican Liberty Caucus of California 67% 2011

In 2012, Huff raised $1,169,601 in campaign contributions. His largest donors came from the insurance, health professionals, and real estate sectors. The California Association of Realtors, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Medical Association, the California Building Industry Association, and the California Dental Association were his largest contributors.[31]

Recognition

Huff was recognized as 2011 Legislator of the Year by the League of California Cities for "efforts to protect local redevelopment agencies".[32] He was also recognized by the American Council of Engineering Companies, California,[33] and as the 2011 Job Champion by the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce.[34] The California Epilepsy Foundation named three fellowships in honor of Huff at UCLA, USC and Children's Hospital Los Angeles for his work on behalf of students with epilepsy.[35] He was awarded the 2005 Local Distinguished Service Award in Transportation from the American Public Transit Association[5] and the Outstanding Community Leader of 2005 by the Old Baldy Council of the Boy Scouts of America.[5]

Personal life

Huff and his wife, Mei Mei, reside in San Dimas, California. They have four children and six grandchildren.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Wagner, James (2009-08-28). "Lawmaker, wife both lend support to Majestic's NFL stadium project". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  2. ↑ http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2012/09/am-alert-paul-ryan-hits-the-california-atm.html, posted Friday 7 September 2012, by Micaela Massimino, "... Sen. Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, turns 59 on Sunday." Per WP:CALC we have 1953-09-09 as date of birth.
  3. ↑ Lau, Jessie (August 14, 2013). "Senate GOP leader Bob Huff reaches out". Capitol Weekly. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  4. ↑ "75 years, 75 distinguished alumni". Westmont College. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Biography". California State Senate Republican Caucus. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  6. 1 2 McGreevy, Patrick (January 4, 2012). "State Sen. Bob Huff elected new GOP leader". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Decision Makers of The San Gabriel Valley – House of Huff". San Gabriel Valley Business Journal. 2010-07-14. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  8. ↑ McGreevy, Patrick (2013-12-03). "Bob Huff reelected as California Senate Republican leader". latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-11-28.
  9. ↑ "Bill Text - AB-740 Charter schools: funding". Leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2013-11-28.
  10. ↑ Senate Bill 172
  11. ↑ "SB 161 Signed Into Law Despite Union Opposition | Bob Huff". District29.cssrc.us. 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  12. ↑ "Bill Number: SB 1295 Amended Bill Text". Leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. 2012-03-29. Retrieved 2013-11-28.
  13. ↑ "Senate panel rejects bill on school-bus advertising". Los Angeles Times. 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  14. ↑ "Senator Huff Fights to Sustain Heritage Schools". District29.cssrc.us. 2010-02-18. Retrieved 2013-11-28.
  15. ↑ California Department of Education. "State Schools Chief Torlakson Announces Deadline Extension for Heritage School Registration". Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  16. ↑ Blume, Howard (2013-09-10). "State Senate approves student testing plan over federal objections". latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  17. 1 2 Goldmacher, Shane (2011-05-10). "Redevelopment agencies: Wife of state senator fighting to save redevelopment agencies works for redevelopment backer - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-11-28.
  18. ↑ http://articles.latimes.com/2012/dec/02/local/la-me-cap-republicans-20121203, "...for the first time in 80 years both houses will be dominated by supermajorities, enough heft for Democrats to pass any legislation without Republican support." The current California Governor Jerry Brown is also a member of the Democratic party.
  19. ↑ Willon, Phil (2013-06-14). "'Less liberal' is the new conservative in state Capitol". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  20. ↑ Megerian, Chris (2013-08-27). "Jerry Brown, lawmakers to announce prison plans". latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  21. ↑ "Committees | Bob Huff". District29.cssrc.us. Retrieved 2013-11-28.
  22. ↑ "California State University Rating - Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  23. ↑ "California School Employees Association Rating - Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  24. ↑ "California Chamber of Commerce Rating - Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  25. ↑ "California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO Rating - Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  26. ↑ "California Pro-Life Council- Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  27. ↑ "Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Rating - Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  28. ↑ "National Rifle Association Rating - Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  29. ↑ Project VoteSmart. Robert 'Bob' S. Huff's Ratings and Endorsements. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  30. ↑ California Taxpayers Association. "2012 Legislative Voting Record". Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Huff, Robert (Bob)". Follow The Money. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  32. ↑ Spiegel, Eva (September 21, 2011). "League of California Cities Honors Senators Bob Huff and Rod Wright as its 2011 Legislators of the Year" (PDF) (Press release). League of California Cities. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  33. ↑ Neilly, Andrew (November 8, 2011). "Senator Bob Huff Named ACEC California's Legislator of the Year" (PDF) (Press release). American Council of Engineering Companies, California. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  34. ↑ http://www.anaheimchamber.org/BusinessAdvocate/3-1/3-1.pdf
  35. ↑ Enquiry, Capitol (2012-11-30). "Epilepsy Foundation of California to Honor State Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff at Capitol Steps". Govbuddy.com. Retrieved 2013-11-28.

External links

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