Nielsen, LaMalfa receive good scores

Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber, and Sen. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, earned perfect scores of 100 percent from the National Federation of Independent Business/California for their voting record on small business issues during the 2011 legislative year.

"I am honored to be recognized by the NFIB for my voting record in support of small businesses in California," Nielsen said in a statement. "California small businesses are the backbone of our economy, the primary engine for job-creation and represent the solution to reigniting California's struggling economy."

LaMalfa said the Legislature should follow the practice of "first do no harm," but, with 745 new laws, Sacramento cannot seen to follow that logic.

"People can succeed, our economy will grow and jobs will return if government would simply get out of the way," he said in a statement from his office.

The organization tracks the votes of each Assembly and Senate members on legislation that would have a significant impact on California small businesses.