Sacramento, CA. – Senate Bill 256, authored by Sen. Strickland (R-Simi Valley) was killed in the Senate Health Committee on a 3-6 partisan vote.

SB 256 eliminates the California Medical Assistance Commission (CMAC) and transfers the powers and duties of the Commission to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).

“With the responsibilities of this commission dwindling over the years, it is high time we consolidate efforts and reduce government expenses,” Sen. Strickland said. “With Democrats proposing to take an additional $1,000 from hard working families already struggling to make it from pay check to pay check, we cannot afford to ignore areas where we can trim the fat.”

“This is the second time this week Democrats have taken money out of the pockets of hardworking Californians and thrown it away unnecessarily,” Sen. Strickland added. “As families are faced with making tough spending decisions, the least we could do is pass common sense legislation to reduce our spending.”

SB 153, also authored by Senator Strickland, died in Committee just days earlier. This bill would have eliminated the $100,000 a year salaries of members appointed to boards and commissions who only meet once or twice a month.

Sen. Strickland is available to the media for an interview or comments.

Tony Strickland represents California Senate District 19, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.