Low out, Berman in + Another big California budget surplus + Mullin to run for Congress?
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!
LOW OUT, BERMAN IN AS B&P COMMITTEE CHAIR
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, has removed Assemblyman Evan Low, D-Campbell, as chair of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee, replacing him with Assemblyman Marc Berman, D-Palo Alto.
Rendon made the change in a letter to Sue Parker, chief clerk of the Assembly, on Wednesday, as reported by the Capitol Bureau’s own Hannah Wiley.
“I’ve asked Assemblymember Berman to take the helm of Business and Professions,” Rendon said in a statement provided to Wiley. “His service in the Assembly has demonstrated his commitment to the Democratic Caucus. As a B&P committee member, he has shown mastery of the subject matter and I know I can depend on him to dedicate his time and focus to leading the work of this important committee.”
LAWMAKERS RESPOND TO NEWS OF 2022 BUDGET SURPLUS
California lawmakers were quick to respond to news that the Legislative Analyst’s Office is predicting a whopping $31 billion budget surplus next year.
Assembly Budget Committee Chair Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, said in a statement that the budget surplus was cause for optimism.
“As we continue on the path to economic recovery, additional surpluses will enable us to do more for struggling families and businesses. Combine that with the funding from the federal infrastructure package, we can stay the course, building a stronger California that’s inclusive of all communities. I will be releasing the Assembly Budget Blueprint next month that will spell out our priorities in the coming year. I look forward to working with the Governor and the Senate in crafting another responsible spending plan that touches all Californians,” Ting said.
Ting said in a statement that the historic 2021-22 budget allowed the state to make “tremendous strides in improving the lives of so many Californians,” and added that the state’s strong financial standing has made it possible for it to pursue new programs such as transitional kindergarten, climate resiliency, expanded housing and universal school meals.
“It’s our job now to provide oversight, making sure we follow through on those commitments and that these new investments are working,” Ting said.
Assembly Budget Committee Vice Chair, Vince Fong, R-Kern County, was less enthusiastic about the surplus.
“Today’s revenue outlook for the state clearly illustrates the divide in our economy and workforce. Taxes being collected from hardworking Californians and businesses account for the $31 billion surplus, while Californians are being crushed by an affordability crisis worsened by inflation, over 1.4 million Californians are jobless, and small businesses are still struggling,” Fong said in a statement.
Fong said that lawmakers must focus on making long-term investments on critical projects in the state.
MULLIN WEIGHS A RUN FOR SPEIER’S SEAT
Congressman Kevin Mullin? It could happen, the Assembly speaker pro tem from South San Francisco said in a tweet on Wednesday.
Mullin said that he is considering a run to replace Democratic Congresswoman Jackie Speier, who is retiring, in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“With the announcement by my mentor, Congresswoman Jackie Speier that she will be retiring after a legendary career in both the CA State Legislature and U.S. Congress, I am seriously considering a campaign to succeed her in the United States House of Representatives,” Mullin said in a tweet. “If elected, I would be representing a newly configured district likely including much of my current Assembly district in San Mateo County, and a portion of San Francisco. I am very grateful for the many messages of support thus far and I will have more to say about the race soon.”
Mullin would appear to be a favorite to win in the heavily Democratic district, if he decides to run.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I, too, first ran for the California State Assembly in a Republican district with about 3% AAPI in 2010. The political pundits said an #AAPI candidate couldn’t flip this district, but I won by 4%. #AAPIrising @AAPILegCaucus @CDPAPICaucus @CAPAC”
- Sen. Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, via Twitter.
Best of the Bee:
California’s $1.2 billion Capitol renovation is underway. Activists are still trying to halt it, via Hannah Wiley
California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Wednesday announced the state filed a petition to repeal a federal appeals court decision to block a law that would end the state’s use of private, for-profit detention facilities, via Kim Bojórquez.
Californians are still lagging behind Gov. Gavin Newsom’s drought-emergency plea to use less water, via Dale Kasler.
A businessman preparing to buy a California caviar company stayed with state Treasurer Fiona Ma and her aides at a property they were renting for work trips, the lawyer for a former employee suing the treasurer said, via Sophia Bollag.