The Family Business Association of California, the only organization advocating exclusively for California’s thousands of family businesses, has named Sen. Jim Nielsen, R-Tehama, as its Outstanding Legislator for 2019.
FBA Executive Director Robert Rivinius said the veteran lawmaker was selected because he’s always been a strong advocate for family businesses.
Robert Rivinius, left, and Sen. Jim Nielsen.
“Sen. Nielsen grew up in a family business and has always been a strong advocate for family businesses during his years in the Legislature,” Rivinius said. “We need more lawmakers who understand the unique issues facing family businesses and who recognize how important family businesses are to the state’s economy and the fabric of our communities, and we thank him for his support.”
Nielsen said he was proud to receive the recognition.
“California needs strong family businesses because they’re the cornerstones of their communities and the foundation of our state’s economy,” Nielsen said. “I want to thank the leaders and members of FBA. It is an honor to be recognized.”
Nielsen was first elected to the Senate in 1978, serving until 1990. He returned to the Legislature in 2008 as a member of the Assembly and was elected to the Senate in 2012. He represents all or portions of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba counties. He serves as Vice Chair of the Budget & Fiscal Review and Elections & Constitutional Amendments committees and is a member of the Governmental Organization, Governance & Finance and Veterans Affairs committees.
He has been recognized by numerous taxpayer and small business groups for his leadership on state budget issues and for his unrelenting fight against profligate government spending. He is also a leader in protecting and strengthening private property rights and for reforming state regulations and out-of-control spending.
Founded in 2012, the Family Business Association of California is the only organization working exclusively at the Capitol to educate lawmakers and regulators about the importance of family businesses to the state’s economy and to their communities and to advocate positions on legislation and regulations. FBA has also taken the lead to defeat recent proposals to impose a state inheritance tax, which would make it much more difficult to keep businesses family-owned from generation to generation.