Leadership Changes Abound

In the wake of Proposition 93's defeat, both houses set about the task of picking new leaders. With the exception of Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines (soon to be honored at CAHU's Diamond Reception during DATC), all of the other leaders are now termed out with the failure of Proposition 93.

The Senate moved first with its leadership change as Darrell Steinberg was declared the Senate President Pro Tem in waiting. He will not formally take office until December, when the new Legislative session begins, but his choice would seem to be the smoothest transition.

The Assembly Democrats held a long caucus last week, where the upshot was that no new Speaker was selected. Instead, it was announced that there will be an election for Assembly Speaker on March 11. This, of course, is sort of a starter's pistol guaranteeing that the Assembly will be doing nothing serious until the new Speaker is selected. Like the Senate, the plan is for the Speaker's actual accession to office to be delayed until December.

Senate Republicans have yet to move on picking a leader to replace termed out Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman.

Although both houses have selected a December accession date for their house leader, that very deferral may present the seeds of conflict. As one observer told CR, "well, they can say Steinberg will take over in December, and they can say whoever wins on March 11 will take over as Speaker in December, but doesn't that deferral mean that it gives plenty of time for others to put together their own campaigns?"