Copyright© 1999 by School Services of California, Inc.
By The Way. . .
Assembly Speaker Villaraigosa to Step Down. Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles) has decided to step down as Speaker of the State Assembly in April 2000. Villaraigosa is termed-out in 2000 and will be running for Mayor of Los Angeles. Due to term limits, the tenure of Assembly Speakers is not very long these days. There was speculation that the Speaker would step down at the end of the 1999 legislative session. However, due to political reasons he wanted to maintain his status for as long as possible. It is assumed, at this time, that Assembly Member Robert Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks) will be his successor.
Governor Gray Davis issued a press release following Villaraigosa's announcement stating, "Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa has been a superb leader, a tremendous team player, and an effective ally for the people of California in working with me to achieve many meaningful legislative reforms this year."