STATE: RCRC gives 'Legislator of the Year' award to former Assemblywoman Fiona Ma

The Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) announced that it has selected former Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) as one of two recipients for the annual "Patti Mattingly Award" for 2012.

  ·  Lake County News   ·  Link to Article

The Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) announced that it has selected former Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) as one of two recipients for the annual “Patti Mattingly Award” for 2012.

The Patti Mattingly Award is given to a policymaker who has demonstrated leadership on rural issues and an understanding of the unique challenges that rural communities face.

“It is with much appreciation that RCRC selects former Assemblywoman Ma for her important work in 2012 on behalf of rural counties in the State Assembly,” said Supervisor Kim Vann of Colusa County and chair of the Regional Council of Rural Counties. “Fiona’s efforts – particularly in the area of supporting our local fairs – reflect the public policy and budget challenges that rural areas face in California.”

RCRC’s Patti Mattingly Award was established in memory of former Supervisor Patti Mattingly of Siskiyou County who had tremendous courage, commitment, and ability to promote constructive solutions surrounding rural issues. The recipient is selected by the RCRC Board of Directors.

“The member counties of RCRC applaud former Assemblywoman Ma’s efforts this past year. Even though she did not represent a rural county, her work reflected a commitment to issues which impact the state as a whole,” said Tehama County Supervisor Bob Williams – a member of the RCRC Board of Directors – who worked closely with Assemblywoman Ma on a variety of issues of importance to RCRC.

During her tenure, Assemblywoman Ma’s important actions included working to address the concerns of rural counties over her AB 845/AB 1178, which addressed the disposal of solid waste, and authoring  Assembly Bill 2345 to continue support for local fairs.

She also authored numerous bills to address and promote California’s agricultural industry.

During her time in the Legislature, Ma made a point of visiting rural communities around the state, including Lake County, where she attended one of a series of AgVenture events in 2010 sponsored by the Lake County chapter of the California Women for Agriculture.

In addition to Ma, Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto) was selected to receive the Patti Mattingly Award for her efforts on behalf of rural counties.

RCRC is an association of 32 rural counties that advocates before the Legislature, Congress and state and federal government agencies on behalf of rural issues.  

Headquartered in Sacramento, county supervisors comprise RCRC’s governing board.