In August, and three times last year, Cox voted against the creation of a state-run health insurance program that was lobbied against by four of his biggest sources of income: Kaiser Permanente, Blue Cross, Blue Shield and Health Net. Those companies have paid Cox's firm at least $240,000 since 1999.
Cox said his vote was philosophical, reflected the position of the Senate Republican caucus and had nothing to do with his business, which he owns with his wife, who runs it.
"We [in California] do not have the ability to afford universal healthcare," he said.
Assemblyman Michael Duvall also voted against the healthcare bill. In addition to being a Republican legislator from Yorba Linda, he is sole owner of the Michael Duvall Agency, an insurance company that received at least $10,000 last year from Blue Cross.
"I don't want the government in charge of my healthcare," he said to explain his vote, adding that it had nothing to do with his source of outside income.
Other legislators with outside businesses include:
* Assemblyman Edward Hernandez (D-West Covina). He and his wife are optometrists with private practices; his is in La Puente, hers in Duarte. Hernandez is also past president of the California Optometric Assn., which lobbied this year for legislation that significantly expanded the procedures optometrists can perform. Hernandez voted for the bill (SB 1406) in June as a member of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee and in August on the Assembly floor. Ophthalmologists, who are medical doctors able to perform more extensive treatment, including surgery, opposed it.
* Assemblyman Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto), owner and manager of Tom Berryhill Ranch, which grows grapes and almonds. Berryhill voted in June in favor of legislation that allows winery customers to consume the wine they purchase while still on the premises. The bill was pushed by the Wine Institute, a group that includes the Robert Mondavi Winery, a major source of income for Berryhill. The assemblyman said he supervises workers during the pruning season but otherwise doesn't spend much time in the vineyard.
* Assemblyman Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks). His disclosure forms call him an "employee/officer/director" of the Niello Co., which owns several car dealerships. Niello voted against legislation last year that would have allowed the state to levy a surcharge of up to $2,500 against new vehicles that emit high amounts of greenhouse gases. The bill, SB 493, was lobbied against by the California Motor Car Dealers Assn., of which Niello's firm is a member. The bill was also opposed by a coalition of carmakers. Niello reported three of the carmakers as major sources of income last year. The bill died.
