Thurston "Smitty" Smith is an American businessman and politician who is a member of the California State Assembly from the 33rd district. He assumed office on December 7, 2020, succeeding Jay Obernolte.
The fundamental priority for government is to protect its citizens. As Mayor in Hesperia, our City saw consistent decreases in violent crime. Unfortunately, due to misguided policies from Sacramento politicians like AB109, Prop 47 and Prop 57, our region is in trouble. Reducing punishments for violent offenders is not a step in the right direction – it’s the exact opposite. I am committed to fighting for policies that keep our community safe and support our law enforcement officers.
Taxes are shredding the budgets of California taxpayers. Our neighbors are over-taxed and under-serviced by their state government. Have you noticed how many job creators have fled California for cheaper states like Arizona, Texas and Nevada? It’s time that California reduces the tax burden for our citizens and cuts bureaucracy to allow small businesses to flourish.
Sacramento politicians are threatening homeowners and small businesses by a pro-tax legislature. Bills like ACA 1 makes it easier to raise property taxes to pay for any type of government project and lowers the threshold of a two thirds vote to only 55%. This does nothing to help taxpayers and California’s housing crisis. I will stand firm against any attempts from Sacramento politicians to amend Prop 13.
As an NRA member, I believe that all law-abiding citizens should be allowed to own a firearm. Subversive efforts to undermine this right violate the U.S. Constitution. I will remain opposed to Governor Newsom’s attempts to infringe on the 2nd Amendment.
After years of neglect, our infrastructure has fallen into disrepair. Sacramento politicians continually raid our road repair funds to cover their wasteful spending elsewhere in the budget. California has the highest gas taxes in the county, yet our region receives very little of the benefit. As your Assemblyman, I will fight to bring more transportation State funds for our local communities.
Our education system is in trouble. I fully support returning spending and curriculum decisions to the local school boards – not Sacramento bureaucrats. California has a track record of failure for our students and I remain committed to local control of education and parent choice.
It’s no secret the 33rd Assembly District is in desperate need of good-paying jobs. In fact, over 82,000 of High Desert workers are commuting down up and down the Cajon Pass. As a small businessman, I know how to work with the private sector to bring more jobs to the region. We must also continue to push for more career technical training programs in our local high schools and community colleges. In order to be successful, our students must have the skills that employers are seeking.
We must protect our Nation’s heroes. In March, Governor Newsom wanted to put the Barstow Veterans’ Home on the budget chopping-block. I stood with Assemblyman Jay Obernolte, Mayor Hackbarth-McIntyre and the residents saying “no” and attending a grassroots effort from the community to lobby against the closure of the Veterans’ home – and won. Sacramento politicians often let Veterans go forgotten – rest assured that I will not forget about their sacrifices to our Nation.
The State has spent nearly $3 billion over the last two years to address the growing homeless problem, yet the problem has only worsened in our community. The establishment politicians in Sacramento refuse to do anything besides throw more money at the problem. It’s clearly not working. Instead, we should be looking at reforming our mental health laws by making it easier for conservatorships to be granted in court.