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School Services of California, Inc.
Community College Update
December 9, 1996
Copyright© 1996 by School Services of California, Inc.
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No Surprises: Cruz Bustamante
Elected Assembly Speaker

December 2 marked the official organizational meeting of the California State Legislature held for the purpose of convening the 1997-98 legislative session, swearing in members of the Legislature, adopting legislative rules and electing legislative leaders.

Cruz Bustamante Elected Assembly Speaker,
Senator Lockyer remains Senate President Pro Tem

In their first official action since regaining control of the State Assembly, Assembly Democrats unanimously elected Cruz Bustamante (D-Fresno) as speaker of the California State Assembly. Nominated by Assembly Member Antonio Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles), seconded by Valerie Brown (D-Sonoma), Mr. Bustamante received all 43 Democratic votes, electing him as the Assembly's 61st Speaker and the first Latino Speaker in California history.

In his acceptance speech, Speaker Bustamante said his leadership style will allow for "compromise" between the narrowly divided parties and stated that he wants to see the Assembly Floor become "a battleground of good ideas, a battleground where there is honor, a battleground where each side wants to win, but never conquer." Bustamante also highlighted some of his goals, including his desire to ensure "every student that meets college requirements can go to college." Earlier in the day, he visited with students in a neighborhood elementary school to talk with them about the importance of hard work and studying, relating his own humble beginnings, and giving them buttons that state, "You Can Too!"

In the Senate, Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) was re-elected President Pro Tem by a bipartisan vote. The Senate also announced that Senator Jack O'Connell will become the chair of the Democratic Caucus, replacing Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles). Additionally, it was announced that Senators Teresa Hughes (D-Los Angeles) and Jim Brulte (R-Ontario) have been selected to fill the two vacancies on the powerful Senate Rules Committee.

The day also marked the swearing in of 32 new Assembly Members and 11 new Senators, including five former legislators who ran and won re-election to the State Legislature.

The Comeback Kids

Leading the list of returning legislators is Lou Papan (D-San Mateo) who returns after a 10-year absence. Papan, known for his aggressive style as well as leadership on special education issues, left the Legislature in 1986 after losing his bid for a Senate seat to Quentin Kopp.

Also returning to the Assembly is Tom McClintock (R-Granada Hills), a fiscal conservative known for his anti-tax/pro-Proposition 13 Stance.  McClintock left the Legislature in 1992 for an unsuccessful run for a congressional seat.  He then ran for the office of State Controller, but lost to Kathleen Connell.

Best known for his authorship of the "helmet law" and his partisan remarks, former Assembly Member Dick Floyd (D-Carson) will return to represent the 55th Assembly District.

Democrat Ted Lempert returns to represent the Menlo Park/Palo Alto area after having served an earlier term in the Assembly from 1990-92.  During his initial tenure, Lempert served on the Assembly Education Committee, and it has been rumored he will be given a key education committee assignment.

Democrat Betty Karnette, a former Assembly Member and public school teacher, will also return to the Legislature -- this time to represent the 27th Senate District that includes Long Beach.  Karnette replaces Bob Beverly, who represented the District for over 30 years and was forced out by term limits.

We will report on other new members of the Legislature after key education and State Budget committee assignments are made by the Senate and Assembly.

-- Nancy LaCasse
[Posted 12/9/96]