Priorities and Recognition
Villines authored AB 1887 to create a high-risk pool to allow for health-care coverage for Californians with pre-existing conditions utilizing federal funds directed from the Affordable Health Care for America Act. The bill passed by receiving bipartisan support within the California Assembly and Senate and was praised for its ability to finally address the segment of the population that was unable to obtain health insurance. He is also carrying AB 2561 which creates the California Department of Energy (CDOE) and consolidates within the CDOE fragmented state energy functions and authorities to establish a coordinated body to regulate the state's energy policies.
During his legislative career, Villines has made improving California's business climate, reducing the tax burden on hard-working families and restoring common-sense solutions and accountability to state government his top priorities. He authored several bills to address during his time in the Assembly these issues. He has also been a strong advocate for a cap on general fund spending and public pension reform as solutions to the state's structural budget deficit.
In spring of 2010, he received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award along with three other California Legislators. Villines was named an "Emerging Leader" by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation and the Orange County Register recognized his fiscal discipline stating, "it's good to see somebody, at least, is sticking up for the taxpayers and insisting on a balanced budget."
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