State sheriff’s association commends Sen. Harman

State Sen. Tom Harman was recently named “Outstanding Legislator for 2008” by the California State Sheriff’s Assn.

The senator halted a plan to take money from the cops’ budget last year during negotiations, which gained him the favor of the association, said Harman spokeswoman Eileen Ricker. Continuing financial hard times in Sacramento have put all public agencies’ budgets on the table for cuts.

The association represents the state’s 58 elected county sheriffs.

“I’m pleased that my colleagues see what I see in Sen. Harman’s commitment to public safety. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that local law enforcement has the resources to combat the issues that threaten public safety in Orange County and across the state,” Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, who is a member of the association, said in a news release.

— Alan Blank