Takasugi Outlines Legislative Goals

State Assemblyman Nao Takasugi (R-Oxnard) on Thursday unveiled his 1994 legislative agenda and kicked off his reelection campaign with a $50-a-plate fund-raising dinner Thursday night.

Joining Takasugi during his announcement was Haley Barbour, national chairman of the Republican Party. Barbour was in Ventura County to speak at Takasugi’s fund-raiser at Howard Johnson’s Hotel on Thursday night.

Entering his second year representing the 37th Assembly District, Takasugi told reporters before the dinner that if reelected he will push government to embrace new business, provide incentives for creating new jobs and sustain the area’s agriculture.

“I want to be part of what will be known as the California Comeback,” Takasugi said. “I think we’ve taken some important steps, but our job isn’t through. We still have a long road ahead.”

Takasugi said that he will push for legislation to provide tax credits for businesses that create new jobs, eliminate the possibility of parole for convicted murderers and enhance penalties for convicted arsonists.

The former Oxnard mayor and councilman said that he would seek to make the state’s schools systems return to curricula emphasizing basic reading, writing and mathematical skills and that he would sponsor legislation that would provide tax credits to citizen-based anti-crime organizations like Crime Stoppers.

Barbour called Takasugi’s goals challenging but achievable.

“I think the kind of legislation that Nao is proposing is exactly what people in this county and people across the nation are looking for,” Barbour said. “I don’t think that what he is proposing will be easy, but I think it’s do-able.”