The Patrick Henry Democratic Club 2008 State Legislator of the Year Lou Correa (SD 34)

Currently, Lou Correa is the most responsive member of the state legislature when it comes to contact with and support of his constituents. Members of the PHDC have not always agreed with Lou, but Lou has been consistently willing to check into the possibility of passing legislation that the public wanted while putting his personal position on hold in order to support his constituents.

In 2008, individuals in the California Assembly put together a bill that, if adopted and not challenged, would have led to the ultimate downfall of Fourth and Fifth Amendment Rights in California. AB1634 would have allowed government agents, on suspicion of the presence of a dog or cat in a house, to enter the house, inspect and possibly maim and kill the dog or cat, and place a carcinogenic tracking chip into the animal that could be used to track pet owners. To the shock of voting Democrats, Assembly Democrats managed to push the bill through the California Assembly. Members of the public feared for their privacy and safety and for the lives of their pets.

The Chairman of the Patrick Henry Democratic Club of America called Lou’s office. His office seemed to be aware of the Constitutional threat posed by the bill. Within five minutes of the call, Lou called back and volunteered to lead the fight in support of pet owners against this threat to civil liberties. Other State Senate Democrats joined Senator Correa in his fight to protect the rights of the public. The State Senate, where the Democrats held a majority, soundly defeated the bill.

This is the kind of example we want to see all state legislators follow. We want them to put the interests of the public and constituents above those of the lobbyists, such as those who lobbied for AB1634.

Young Dems