It looks like Sen. Carole Migden will likely land on California's high-paying waste commission, after all.
After Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata appointed Sen. Sheila Kuehl to a spot on the $132,178 commission on Tuesday, Capitol Alert has learned that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to name the fiery San Francisco Democrat to the final vacancy on the recycling panel.
It is one of the most plum appointments in state government.
On Tuesday, California's two Democratic leaders appointed two of their termed-out colleagues - Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, and Assemblyman John Laird, D-Santa Cruz - to the board.
There remains one vacancy, but only the GOP governor has the power to fill that vacancy.
There is a long tradition of legislative leaders ensuring that termed-out colleagues have a comfortable landing pad when they leave office. Lawmakers do not receive a pension or have continued access to health benefits.
Sources say Perata indicated to both Migden and Kuehl that they would receive a spot on California's waste board. But the Oakland Democrat has only a single appointment.
Schwarzenegger is expected to step in - perhaps as a favor to the incoming Senate leader Darrell Steinberg - and appoint Migden. Word is he wasn't excited about naming Kuehl, given the fact that her health committee ended hopes for his health care plan.
If Migden is appointed, three-fifths of California's current Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus would then sit on the waste board.
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