PD Editorial: A new face

<p>Correctly or not, Albert Einstein is often credited with saying that the definition of insanity “is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”</p><p>One can readily apply those words to the relationship between voters and the state Legislature. Although Californians continually express dissatisfaction with the performance of Sacramento lawmakers, they keep electing the same people — hoping for different results.</p><p>We acknowledge our own part in recommending elected officials who have gone on to contribute to the dysfunction at the Capitol. But with another $20 billion budget crisis looming and no hope of the kind of wholesale constitutional change that once seemed promising, it's time for a change.</p><p>Local voters have an opportunity to do that beginning with the race for the Democratic nomination in the 7th Assembly district. In this contest, we recommend Vallejo City Councilman Michael Wilson.</p><p>For the past two-plus years, Wilson, the chief financial officer of an architectural firm in Benicia, has been part of a roll-up-the-sleeves campaign to confront Vallejo's financial challenges and dig it out of bankruptcy. The result is that Vallejo, once the poster child for all that can go wrong with municipal financing, may emerge as the model for what cities need to do going forward — particularly in regard to confronting long-term pension obligations.</p><p>Vallejo, with Wilson's help, has reached new contracts with labor unions representing police and fire employees and, in the process, created a two-tier system in which new employees will receive retirement benefits that are less generous and more sustainable for the city. As Wilson notes, “We want to make promises we can keep.”</p><p>That kind of living-within-our-means philosophy sounds pretty reasonable to us — and refreshing.</p><p>Wilson's opponents are former Santa Rosa Planning Commissioner Michael Allen and former Santa Rosa City Councilman Lee Pierce. And with 52 percent of the voters in the 7th Assembly District registered as Democrats and only 20 percent registered as Republicans, it's almost certain that one of these three will succeed Noreen Evans, a candidate for state Senate.</p><p>During his tenure on the City Council, Pierce, a former jeweler who now runs a consulting business, proved himself to be a loyal, hardworking public servant. But he has failed to point to specific accomplishments or policies that distinguish himself as an Assembly candidate.</p><p>As a staff member for state Sen. Pat Wiggins, Allen knows his way around Sacramento and is respected for his problem-solving skills. But given his close ties to labor — he is a former president of the North Bay Labor Council and former executive director of SEIU Local 707 — we're not persuaded that Allen is someone who will provide the kind of change that's needed in Sacramento.</p><p>We're also concerned about the circumstances that have resulted in a Fair Political Practices Commission investigation into one of Allen's votes as a Planning Commission member. Allen voted a Santa Rosa's General Plan update that included a change in designation for property owned by the Sonoma County Water Agency. Allen had been paid by the Water Agency to lobby the city concerning that property.</p><p>Although Allen says he didn't know the designation was included in the General Plan update, we believe it at least shows carelessness on his part. We're more troubled by the political interplay of a legislator's staff member being paid $95,000 to lobby a city on behalf of a county water agency — in a time of budget austerity.</p><p>Wilson has pledged that, if elected, none of his staff members would be allowed to accept such a government-paid position. We think that's a better approach.</p><p>Wilson is not as familiar here as the other candidates, but we believe he's someone local voters should get to know. He's a bright and articulate upcoming elected official whose independence and real-world experience confronting the economic challenges in Vallejo will serve the district well.</p><p>The Press Democrat recommends Michael Wilson for the Democratic nomination in the 7th Assembly District.</p>