T. A. Maloney, Veteran Lawmaker, Dies at 96
Thomas A. Maloney, a former state senator and assemblyman who served the city of San Francisco for 32 years under seven California governors, has died in a convalescent home in Belmont at the age of 96.
Maloney was a Republican who was elected a state senator in 1924 when San Francisco had seven of them and served until 1932 when reapportionment reduced the city to one. He then was elected to the state Assembly where he served until 1956, the last 14 years as president pro tem.
Maloney, on the eve of his 80th birthday in 1969, called himself “a great compromiser” and said one of the most satisfying pieces of legislation he ever authored was the one that permitted the sale of pre-colored margerine.
“Every housewife in California should thank me. Before that the law held that margarine must be colored at home.”
He also was author or co-author of laws that established workmen’s compensation and unemployment benefits and helped steer legislation through the Assembly to make possible the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate bridges.
Maloney, who was defeated in his 1956 reelection bid by Democrat Phillip Burton, died Wednesday.
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