Helping the State Legislature Do Its Job : A moderate Republican stands out in crowded, key Orange County Assembly election

Tuesday’s special election in Orange County’s 67th Assembly District is important to the state as it faces its difficult fiscal crisis. The tumultuous budget process just concluded demonstrates a dire need across the state for legislators who are experienced in public policy, as well as flexible and able to make tough choices. Of the six Republicans and one Democrat running for the seat in this heavily Republican north and mid-county district, one candidate stands out: Orange City Councilman William G. Steiner, a Republican.

Steiner, 54, has a proven record of community involvement and is a leading expert in California on child advocacy issues. He is executive director of the Orangewood Children’s Foundation, which has raised $8 million for the home for abused, neglected or abandoned children. Orangewood was built by way of a highly successful public/private partnership--the result of a skill worth taking to Sacramento in these fiscally tough times.

Steiner’s major opponent is Republican Mickey Conroy, who doesn’t believe state funds are being spent well but offers little alternative. Conroy would arrive in Sacramento as a card-carrying member of the so-called “cavemen,” the group of Assembly Republicans that almost single-handedly obstructed Gov. Pete Wilson’s efforts to resolve the budget crisis. The “cavemen” took a “no new taxes” position while failing to work with the governor or come up with a credible plan. That strategy cost Assembly Minority Republican Leader Ross Johnson of La Habra his post.

Orange County and the rest of the state need more pragmatic leadership in the Assembly during these difficult times. Steiner, a fiscal conservative, is reasonable. We don’t agree with him on every issue but he can be expected to take a “real world” approach to legislating.

Steiner supports abortion rights, the death penalty and gun regulation. He has been endorsed by Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) and all five members of the County Board of Supervisors.

Among the remaining candidates, Democrat Gregory Robert Ramsay, a health care manager from Santa Ana, has thoughtful positions on education and health care. His campaign shows that the Orange County Democratic Party is doing a better job of attracting quality candidates.

The special election is being held to fill the seat vacated in a game of political musical chairs begun when Wilson appointed state Sen. John Seymour (R-Anaheim) to the U.S. Senate. With Steiner, and others like him, Wilson and the Legislature will be better able to attack state problems constructively.