Republican control of the lower house has quickly become a memory, as illustrated by the latest round of “Musical Offices.” For the benefit of UHCA members who are unfamiliar with some of the practices of our State Legislature, “Musical Offices” has been played every time the Republican or Democratic Party has achieved a majority. Once either party secures a majority, they elect a Speaker from within the ranks of their party.

The newly-elected Speaker determines office assignments within the Capitol, traditionally reserving the best offices for members of his or her party. Legislators who previously enjoyed a large staff and a plush office are abruptly relegated to a closet-sized office and a greatly reduced staff. Imagine the chaos and inefficiency that typically ensues! During this transition of leadership and power, up to eighty different offices are vacated and refurbished. In limbo, staff members often convert the hallways of the Capitol into temporary offices, reducing the halls of the Capitol into a disheveled maze of fax machines, bookshelves, computers, and desks.

Our Legislature is bound to indulge in Musical Offices with increased frequency as the effects of term limits and campaign spending limits are fully realized. Stability in leadership, along with career politicians, will soon become the exception in the California State Legislature. It is a crapshoot as to how long either party can maintain a majority of members, especially considering how fragile the Democratic and Republican majorities have been lately. The Democrats hold a majority this year in the Assembly by only six members out of eighty, last year the Republicans held a majority by only two members.

Reference: Vol. 34, No. 1 - UHCA Newsletter Highway - MusicOff