Political Tide Comes Crashing in on the State Assembly!

The Republicans have taken control of the Assembly - from the newly assigned committees to the newly assigned offices. For many, many years the Democrats have been in control, and still remain in control in the Senate.

New committee assignments were released on January 18 giving all Assembly committee chairmanships to Republicans, with the exception of the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. Assemblyman Dom Cortese (former Democrat who changed registration and is now a member of the Reform party) who retained his Chairmanship because his recent vote helped the Republicans gain control. Cortese voted for the rule changes which led to the Republican takeover and the Republicans have indicated they want to help him politically this year. He is currently running against Assemblyman John Vasconcellos for a Senate seat, which will be vacant after term limits oust Senator Al Alquist. And finally, the Republicans managed to be fully united and voted in Curt Pringle from Orange County as Assembly Speaker.

A massive moving of offices is currently occurring at the State Capitol. With the Republican takeover, Democratic members are being moved from their larger, nicer offices and Republican members are moving in. At the time of this publication, it is still unknown which Democrat will be forced to move into "the closet." This office is commonly called the closet because it is extremely small and adjacent to the Capitol cafeteria. The food smells permeate the office at all times, and there is no room for staff, not to mention lobbyists or visitors! Former Speaker Willie Brown frequently moved Republicans into "the closet" who were not in his favor. Assemblyman Larry Bowler from Elk Grove occupied that office at one time.

Mr. Bowler has made the news many times in the last year. Once for cutting the wires to one of the committee rooms, where it was rumored conversations were being taped. Again when he sorted through the trash from the garbage truck to obtain documents that were suddenly thrown out by Democratic staffers once the Republicans took over! The garbage truck was actually apprehended by the Attorney General, parked and sorted through! The event was termed "Garbagegate" by those around the Capitol! Now, however, Assemblyman Larry Bowler has been appointed the new Chairman of the Assembly Trans portation Committee and has moved into very nice spacious quarters!

Another Republican who at one time occupied "the closet" was Assemblyman Mickey Conroy. He and his chief aide had to share the very small inner office. It was extremely difficult if one had a meeting while trying not to disturb the other! There is no space for chairs in the outer office so constituents, guests and lobbyists had to stand - many times outside the front door! Mickey Conroy was recently appointed the Chair of the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee, which is a plumb committee dealing with many issues including the deregulation of trucking and electricity. Conroy also is currently enjoying a large lovely office!