January 4, 2007 - Capitol rookies aim for changes in California

Capitol rookies aim for changes in California

By Jim Sanders, ScrippsNews

January 04, 2007

Newly elected Assemblywoman Fiona Ma has a master's degree in taxation.

Assemblyman Tom Berryhill has a transplanted heart.

Assemblyman Paul Cook has a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts earned in Vietnam.

Meet the Capitol's freshman class, a record 34 newcomers who arrived for Wednesday's opening session with big dreams, a new state car and a trail of campaign promises _ but no legislative experience.

"Every freshman class comes to Sacramento thinking that they're going to change the way business gets done here," said Dan Schnur, GOP political strategist.
"What usually happens, though, is that Sacramento ends up changing them."

Bucking those odds are numerous rookies viewed as Capitol leadership timber, including Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles; and Assembly members Ma, D-San Francisco; Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles; Cameron Smyth, R-Santa Clarita; Jim Silva, R-Huntington Beach; Mike Feuer, D-Los Angeles; Mike Eng, D-Monterey Park; Jim Beall, D-San Jose; and Laura Richardson, D-Long Beach.

Rookies comprise four of Assembly Speaker Fabian Nzqez's seven-member Assembly leadership team.

Freshmen resumes vary widely: Paul Krekorian, D-Burbank, was counsel to the Webster Commission, which investigated the 1992 Los Angeles riots; Anthony Adams, R-Hesperia, hosted a radio talk show; and Mary Hayashi, D-Castro Valley, documented her Korean roots in a book she wrote, titled, "Far From Home: Shattering the Myth of the Model Minority."

Thirty-three rookies will unpack their bags in the Assembly, but just one in the Senate _ Padilla, a former Los Angeles councilman.

Newcomers are heavy in local government experience, light on name recognition.

The Capitol's new crop also includes five former legislators who are returning _ including Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento _ and nine veterans who are moving from one house to the other.

In all, Democrats control the Assembly, 48-32, and the Senate, 25-15.

Gale Kaufman, Nunez's political consultant, said she doesn't expect a dramatic shift in ideological bent.
Liberal or conservative districts tend to choose like-minded candidates.

But Kaufman expects new blood to bring "a lot of passion and vibrancy."

"Whatever their agenda is, they have one, they really do, from day one," she said.
Smyth said he's eager to get started.

"All of us have worked so hard to get here, we want to make the most of it," he said.

Allan Hoffenblum, publisher of the California Target Book, which handicaps state political races, said past service on local boards means that many newcomers arrive well versed on key issues.
"I don't find too many real amateurs running," he said.

But Schnur said local government experience can be a drawback because local boards tend to act quickly while the Legislature does not.

"It might make them a lot less patient when it comes to working through the legislative process," he said.
Nunez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata will be termed out in 2008, but they have no plans to step aside this year.

"I'll sound the gun off at the right time _ middle to end of 2008 _ as to when the race for my replacement begins," Nunez said.

"Until then, there will be nobody jockeying for it. I'll guarantee you that."

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Capitol rookies aim for changes in California

By Jim Sanders, ScrippsNews January 04, 2007 Newly elected Assemblywoman Fiona Ma has a master's degree in taxation. Assemblyman Tom Berryhill has a transplanted heart. Assemblyman Paul Cook has a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts earned in Vietnam. Meet the Capitol's freshman class, a record 34 newcomers who arrived for Wednesday's opening session with big dreams, a new state car and a trail of campaign promises _ but no legislative experience. "Every freshman class comes to Sacramento thinking that they're going to change the way business gets done here," said Dan Schnur, GOP political strategist. "What usually happens, though, is that Sacramento ends up changing them." Bucking those odds are numerous rookies viewed as Capitol leadership timber, including Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles; and Assembly members Ma, D-San Francisco; Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles; Cameron Smyth, R-Santa Clarita; Jim Silva, R-Huntington Beach; Mike Feuer, D-Los Angeles; Mike Eng, D-Monterey Park; Jim Beall, D-San Jose; and Laura Richardson, D-Long Beach. Rookies comprise four of Assembly Speaker Fabian Nzqez's seven-member Assembly leadership team. Freshmen resumes vary widely: Paul Krekorian, D-Burbank, was counsel to the Webster Commission, which investigated the 1992 Los Angeles riots; Anthony Adams, R-Hesperia, hosted a radio talk show; and Mary Hayashi, D-Castro Valley, documented her Korean roots in a book she wrote, titled, "Far From Home: Shattering the Myth of the Model Minority." Thirty-three rookies will unpack their bags in the Assembly, but just one in the Senate _ Padilla, a former Los Angeles councilman. Newcomers are heavy in local government experience, light on name recognition. The Capitol's new crop also includes five former legislators who are returning _ including Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento _ and nine veterans who are moving from one house to the other. In all, Democrats control the Assembly, 48-32, and the Senate, 25-15. Gale Kaufman, Nunez's political consultant, said she doesn't expect a dramatic shift in ideological bent. Liberal or conservative districts tend to choose like-minded candidates. But Kaufman expects new blood to bring "a lot of passion and vibrancy." "Whatever their agenda is, they have one, they really do, from day one," she said. Smyth said he's eager to get started. "All of us have worked so hard to get here, we want to make the most of it," he said. Allan Hoffenblum, publisher of the California Target Book, which handicaps state political races, said past service on local boards means that many newcomers arrive well versed on key issues. "I don't find too many real amateurs running," he said. But Schnur said local government experience can be a drawback because local boards tend to act quickly while the Legislature does not. "It might make them a lot less patient when it comes to working through the legislative process," he said. Nunez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata will be termed out in 2008, but they have no plans to step aside this year. "I'll sound the gun off at the right time _ middle to end of 2008 _ as to when the race for my replacement begins," Nunez said. "Until then, there will be nobody jockeying for it. I'll guarantee you that."
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Copyright 2007 - ScrippsNews