Experts Expound

Assemblyman John Perez of Los Angeles is rounding up the votes to become the next speaker of the Assembly. Why Perez and what does this mean for the house?

Why Perez? Because he’s not Kevin de Leon. Great for the house. Stability means power and parity with the Senate.

The “Anyone But Kevin de Leon” forces finally settled on Perez as the consensus candidate. He’s smart on political organizing but short on policy. But that was the initial rap on Nunez too. Let’s see if he can fill his shoes.

It doesn’t mean much at all: Just another termed-out speaker, in for a short time and then gone. Just another blip on the radar, if that.
Because he is a smart, likeable and solid labor guy NOT named Kevin de Leon. This means nothing for the Assembly because they are institutionally incapable of solving the budget problems.

It’s not about what it means for the Assembly; it’s about what it means for the people of the State of [bankrupt] California. And what it means for us is that we’re all going to be dragged closer to a bond default.

He typifies all of the Democratic Party constituencies.  He is also a man.  A return to speakers of old.  They have never been comfortable with Karen Bass’s leadership style. A freshman is even riskier in terms of controlling special interests. Very beholding to those who put him there, no personal relationships to rely on.  Oh well.

He is smart, likeable, tough and a political junkie that progressive Democrats can support. The caucus continues to be dominated by progressives and union Democrats, and this will not change under Perez.

Perez has been straight…err…forthright with his colleagues and is viewed as trustworthy. He’s smart, politically savvy, and direct. He’d make a solid speaker.

Hopefully it will mean that the Assembly will function as a deliberative body.

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