Longtime head of taxpayer group

Larry McCarthy, 59, the longtime president of the California Taxpayers’ Assn., a taxpayer rights group, died Saturday in Sacramento, the group announced. He was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2006.

McCarthy was responsible for the overall management of Cal-Tax and for the performance of information services, advocacy programs and policy research. From 1993 to 1995 he also served as chairman of the National Taxpayers Conference, a nationwide organization of state taxpayer associations.

A native of Los Angeles, McCarthy grew up in the San Fernando Valley and played varsity football at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino. He earned a bachelor’s degree in government from St. Martin’s University, formerly St. Martin’s College, in Washington state.

McCarthy joined Cal-Tax in 1976 as a lobbyist and researcher on taxation, local government finance and spending issues. He came to the California post from the Washington Research Council in Olympia, which is that state’s counterpart to Cal-Tax.

During his years at Cal-Tax, McCarthy was lead negotiator and lobbyist representing the state’s employers on unemployment insurance legislation.

In 1983, he was named research director and staff director of the California Tax Foundation, the group’s research arm. In 1986, he was promoted to Cal-Tax vice president and legislative director. Three years later, he was appointed president.