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CA ASSEMBLYMAN
JIM NIELSEN |
BIOGRAPHY: Assemblyman Jim Nielsen was first elected in November
2008 as representative of the Second Assembly District, which
includes Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter,
Tehama and Yolo counties.
Currently, Nielsen is serving as the Vice Chair of the Assembly
Budget Committee, and as a member of the Appropriations, Veterans
Affairs, and Rules Committees. In his capacity as Vice Chairman he
has led the effort to cut tens of billions of dollars of waste from
the state budget, and prevent more taxes from being raised on
Californians.
One of Nielsen's highest priorities is eliminating the excessive,
out of control agency and government regulations. He believes that
the state would be best governed if let to govern itself, and he is
committed to cut on the burdens that limit business operation in
California.
Last year Nielsen has led the fight against the Public Safety
Realignment, as the authority on this issue within the Legislature.
His role at the Board of Prison Terms (1991-2000) where he became a
chairman has provided him with a vast expertise on public safety
issues, as well as a unique understanding of the inner workings of
California's prison system.
In 2010, Assemblyman Nielsen sponsored a measure to save the
Williamson Act, which enables local governments to enter into
contracts with private landowners for the purpose of protecting
agricultural uses such as farming and ranching.
In the first two years of his State Assembly service, Nielsen was
part of the Water Conference Committee and worked to produce a water
plan for California that protects water rights for Northern
California.
Nielsen's lifelong commitment is represented by three words - faith,
family and leadership, which he has exemplified through many years
of service in the public sector. As a native son of California,
Nielsen strongly believes in this state. Raised in the San Joaquin
Valley, Jim Nielsen was a farmer and rancher prior to his election
to the California State Senate in 1978, as one of those referred to
as "Prop 13 babies", elected on a platform of easing the burden of
property tax. Nielsen was elected to represent the North State for
three terms in the State Senate, where he served as Senate
Republican Leader from 1983-1987, and was the youngest Republican
Leader ever elected.
As Senate Republican Leader, Nielsen worked side-by-side with
Republican Governor George Deukmejian, and later with Governor Pete
Wilson, to pursue an agenda of limited government and fiscal
responsibility.
Mr. Nielsen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness in
1967 from Fresno State College. From 1974-1975 he also participated
in the Agricultural Leadership Fellowship, a two-year leadership
training program comprised of 30 agriculturalists selected from
throughout California. He was the first fellow elected to the
California State Legislature in 1978. Assemblyman Nielsen was the
recipient of multiple certifications and enrolled in continuing
education courses relative to agricultural management and
consulting.
Assemblyman Nielsen lives in Gerber with his wife, Marilyn, who is
currently serving as the Interim Director of the California Arts
Council. They have two daughters, three sons, and three
grandchildren. |
