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New Key Committee Leadership Announced for 2007-08 Session
Assembly
While the Speaker of the Assembly, Fabian Nunez (D-46, Los Angeles) named a majority of the Assembly’s committee chairs last summer, he withheld the remaining assignments for the incoming Democratic freshmen members who were sworn in on December 4th. Thus, the Chair of the Assembly’s Education, Budget, and Appropriations Committees were announced early on but the Higher Education Committee and the Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance were not announced until the swearing in of the new members.
The newly chosen Republican leader Mike Villines (R-29, Clovis), a graduate of Fresno State, was second to announce his leadership team and Vice-Chairs. Below is a quick listing of the key Assembly’s Committees for the CSU and the Chair and Vice-Chair that will serve in 2007.
Assembly Education Committee
Chair Gene Mullin (D-19, South San Francisco); Vice-Chair Martin Garrick (R-Solano Beach)
Gene Mullin, a retired government high school teacher of 32 years, has taken over as Chair of Education from termed out member Jackie Goldberg. Mr. Mullin, a graduate of the University of San Francisco is entering his last term in office. Mr. Garrick, who served in the Reagan administration prior to operating his own real estate investment company, made immigration controls one of his main campaign platforms.
Assembly Higher Education Committee
Chair Anthony Portantino (D-44, La Canada); Vice Chair Shirley Horton (R- 78, Chula Vista)
Newly elected Anthony Portantino is originally from the east coast and graduated from Albright College of Pennsylvania. His background is in the film industry with service on the La Canada City Council. San Diego State Alumni, Shirley Horton will continue to serve on the Higher Education Committee but will now serve as the Vice-Chair. She previously had served as the Vice-Chair for Business and Professions Committee.
Assembly Appropriations Committee
Chair Mark Leno (D-13, San Francisco); Vice Chair Mimi Walters (R-73, Laguna Niguel)
Assembly Member Mark Leno, who was previously the Chair of Public Safety and has consistently made gay rights issues his number one priority, will now serve as the Chair of Assembly Appropriations. He is also seriously considering running against his former mentor, sitting State Senator Carole Migden, in two years. Mimi Walters will be the new Vice-Chair of Appropriations Committee, replacing Sharon Runner this year. Ms. Walters has announced her intention to replace Dick Ackerman in the Senate in 2008.
Assembly Budget Committee
Chair John Laird (D-27, Santa Cruz); Vice Chair Roger Niello (R-5, Fair Oaks)
John Laird will continue to serve in his present capacity as Budget Committee Chair, but Roger Niello will replace Rick Keene as the Vice-Chair. Mr. Niello, a trained accountant, has ascended to a very prominent role in the new leadership structure and will able to contribute to his caucus for another four years.
Budget Subcommittee #1 (Education)
Chair Julia Brownley (D-41, Santa Monica)
New member Julia Brownley, who previously served on the Santa Monica–Malibu School Board, will chair the Assembly Budget Committee’s sub-committee on education, replacing Merv Dymally. Assembly member Merv Dymally has indicated his desire to continue serving on this committee. Assembly member Villines has yet to indicate who will serve as the Vice-Chair.
Senate
Just prior to the holiday season, Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata (D-9, Oakland) announced his choices for chairs on standing Senate Committees. These Chairs were predominantly Democrats but did include two Republicans; Abel Maldonado (R-15, Santa Maria) as the Chair of Agriculture Committee and Mark Wyland (R-38, Del Mar) as the Chair of Veterans Affairs Committee.
Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman (R-33, Irvine) was reelected as Leader after being challenged by another member of his caucus. Senator Ackerman has made a few appointments for 2007-08, including his designees for Senate Rules Committee but has yet to announce who will serve as Vice-Chairs for other committees.
Senate Education Committee
Chair Jack Scott (D-21, Altadena)
Former President of Pasadena City College, Senator Jack Scott will continue his leadership role on Education policy in the Senate. Senator Scott will be wrapping up his legislative career at the end of the two-year 2007-08 session. It is unknown whether Senator Abel Maldonado, now that he has been named Chair of the Agriculture Committee, will maintain his position of Vice-Chair.
Senate Appropriations Committee
Chair Tom Torlakson (D-7, Antioch)
In the Senate, Tom Torlakson will serve as the new Appropriations Committee Chair replacing Kevin Murray. Senator Torlakson who has only two years remaining in the Senate has announced his intention to run for Superintendent of Public Instruction, replacing Jack O’Connell in four years. He hopes to serve two years in the Assembly first in order to bridge the gap. Senator Torlakson has been an advocate of physical fitness and nutrition at our schools and proposed limits to junk food served in vending machines on state property. He was also the author of the CSU’s affinity program legislation, SB 569.
Senate Budget Committee
Chair Denise Ducheny (D-40, San Diego)
Denise Ducheny, who served last year as one of The Senate’s Budget conferees with Senator Wes Chesbro, will be the new Senate Budget Committee Chair. She had previously served in this capacity in the Assembly.
Budget Subcommittee # 1 Education
Vice Chair Jack Scott (D-21, Altadena)
Jack Scott will continue his role as resident expert on Education policy by continuing to serve as the Budget Sub-committee Chair for Education.
Budget Conference Committee
Traditionally, the Assembly and the Senate use the Chair of Appropriations and the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Budget Committee to be the conferees for Budget Conference Committee. Should this form continue then the Assembly would use Assembly members Mark Leno (D-13, San Francisco); John Laird (D-27, Santa Cruz); and Roger Niello (R-5, Fair Oaks). The Senate would use Senators Denise Ducheny (D-40, San Diego); Tom Torlakson (D-7, Antioch); and the unnamed Vice-Chair of Senate Budget.
For more information on these appointments, please feel free to visit the following websites:
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