California Assembly Speaker taps political newcomer to head up high-profile committee

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FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER GETS HIGH-PROFILE COMMITTEE CHAIR

Demonstrating a considerable amount of trust, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas last week announced that his decision to name first-term Burbank Democratic Assemblymember Nick Schultz as chair of the high-profile Assembly Public Safety Committee.

It’s sure to put a spotlight on the SoCal lawmaker as he heads up a committee that is certain to tackle high-profile legislation this session.

In a statement, Rivas expressed confidence that Schultz will “lean in, listen and deliver balanced solutions.”

“I look forward to working with Nick to improve our services and continue to keep California safe for all residents,” Rivas said.

Schultz is no stranger to public safety.

He’s a former deputy district attorney and deputy attorney general, “where he worked with local, state, and federal authorities on cases involving predatory financial fraud, public corruption, and human trafficking,” according to a statement from the lawmaker’s office.

“As an experienced prosecutor, I have been on the frontlines going after organized crime and abuses of authority by public officials. I will utilize this experience to ensure that our justice system is effectively prosecuting those who abuse their power and endanger people’s lives and well being, while ensuring everyone is given their Constitutional right to due process under the law,” Schultz said.

He added that while it is important to respond to crime, it also is important to “take proactive measures to prevent the occurrence of crime in the first place.”

“It’s equally important that we pursue legislative solutions that prevent crime, address system injustices, and promote rehabilitation and equity in our criminal justice system,” he said.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Federal net neutrality is no more. I authored CA’s net neutrality law — the strongest in the nation. It survived lawsuits by Trump & the telecoms & is still in place. As right wing extremists make it much harder for the federal government to protect the public, CA’s role is all the more important.”

- State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, responding to a federal court ruling striking down net neutrality, the federal regulation guaranteeing open internet, via Bluesky.

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