I appreciated your column and read it with interest; and, in fact, I agree with you on many fronts. The very best quality about Senator Florez is that he tells it like it is---whether or not it's what you want to hear, you always know where he stands on issues...very refreshing! I hope he continues to want to be in public service for our state. Perhaps as Lt. Governor he will bring common sense and tenacity to this position. Keep up the good work!

Jim, rabid Republican that MOI is, this is a good choice for office. Can see voting for him.

Mind, MOI never votes straight Republican and Senator Feinstein is example of that.

Sadly, the race for mayor has me gutted, as neither of the folks running does it for MOI. Can one do a write in??

In my short time in Fresno (7 years) Senator Florez has shown himself to be a tireless worker for the people he represents. I look forward to working to get him elected to the Lt. Governors position.

I have to give Sen. Florez mixed reviews. Kudos for his work on clean air and other issues, and for the passion with which he attacks those issues. On the other hand, he has shown a tendency to abuse his power at times - like when he tried to hold up the budget for the entire CSU system to carry out his vendetta against Dr. Welty.

But since the Lt. Governor's job doesn't actually have any power, that shouldn't be a problem there.

In my book too, a government official's abuse of power is a very serious laps in judgment.

Now this is with tongue in cheek, and I hope there shall be no asinine reaction.
In the opera "Rheingold" the Nibelungs (to oversimplify) an ugly, thieving race of mythical dwarfs steal the Rheingold.

When I met Dr. Welty in Clovis City Hall in connection with the
"University Village" scandal a few years back, my first reaction was God that man is short.
And listening to him and the justification for corrupting some of the City staff,I thought of one thing....Nibelungs. I might have been tempted to join Sen. Florez in his feud with Dr. Welty... and as I have said.....tongue in cheek.

Senator Florez is too explosive and bipolar. A NO vote for Lt. Gov. NO WAY!!!

Sen. Florez is another Don Perada in the making. His reputation for grandstanding, a long list of anti-business positions, socialist leanings, and dirty politics are his trademark. Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, one of his colleages, has been a victim of his dirty politics, as well as Welty, farmers, taxpayers, etc.

And to correct the record: the Attorney General is a very powerful position. Definition: the Attorney General is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions may in addition have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.

Ms. Lawson, MOI must be thick as a brick, you lost MOI. What was your take on Senator Florez, pro or con??

You chided folks in past post for not being on point, MOI wants to know, 'tongue in cakehole', are you a supporter of Senator Florez and do you like the idea of his being Lt. Governor?

a vote for florez is a vote for a man who speaks without knowing all the facts a man who uses bully tactics a look into who is listed contributors who does he realy stand up for? is a must do...... be careful about [letting the fox in the hen house] vote for integrity not florez ken wilson

That is for her to know, and you to guess.

Too explosive and bipolar? Based on what? C'mon jacquie (or is your name nicole) state some facts... and ken, really, senator florez isn't the one speaking without knowing the facts. Florez has many hearings just as Jim's column states. Did you even bother to read the column? Hen house, you're funny ken but i will tell you exactly who i think he stands up for... Florez stands up for the person that doesn't have a loud voice, a person that is used to being a statistic, the same person that hopes working hard allows for their kids to have a better life... I don't think he should run for lt. governor either he should go straight for the governors seat...

Florez stands for whoever, and whatever serves to bring attention to himself. Do you give your vote to a shameless, self-serving grandstander, or to someone who holds the greater good of our state, and nation at heart?

I hope it is the latter.

Oi!!!!!!! Redpeach, you go too far. MOI has not lived in Fresno for the whole of life like some of you, but have learned a thing or two while here.

Senator Dean Florez is far from the person you have just painted. To be true, every politician worth his salt has to be a good showman, how else would one get elected? No shame in that.

What brassed MOI off about your comment is that you make it seem that Senator Florez is out for no one bue himself. MOI can tell you that when Senator Florez was approached to support efforts to restore a community and show folks that efforts were appreciated, Senator Florez did so quickly and without personal fanfare.

Can also tell you that in times of personal loss, Senator Florez, quietly and with dignity has gone out of way to make sure that members of the community were made aware of contribution to that community.

From personal experience, MOI can tell you that Senator Florez has been none of the things Redpeach implies, and would gladly vote for him to have a higher office.

Oi RobDeFrees:
Your personal experience must be pretty limited to not be aware of all the pot-stirring fiasco's Senator Florez has been responsible for.

Florez never saw a tax-hike he didn't like, and is especially fond if it hurts California businesses. His love of the camera is simply obnoxious.

MOI adores cheeky buggers, and Redpeach you are that. AND you used Oi! correctly!

MOI has always felt that if one is elected to public office it is his job to stir the pot, shows that his loaf is working for the common good, and Senator Florez is not more responsible for all of the mis-steps in Sacramento than any other politician.

Since the days of Rome, taxes have always been a part of life, bloody hell make that even earlier, it hurts but one does have to pay for government - responsible government.

As to the love of the camera, you need look no further afied than here in Fresno, DWARF Sterling loves the camera so much that she applies a thick face mask of make-up on to look good, and DWARF Perea could use some advice to mask his 'too young to take serious look'.

To be true there is not a politician MOI has met who does not love the camera, what is the sin in that?

You got me their, pot stirring can be a good thing. But I cannot think of a single time that is the case with Senator Florez. The issues he champions are never for the common good, but for the benefit of a few, and always at great expense to taxpayers, and/or business.