Yesterdays Sacramento Bee story by Jim Sanders confirmed 31st AD Assemblyman Juan Arambula’s change of registration from Democrat to Decline to State, Independent, following in the footsteps of Art Pedroza, Editor of this blog, who had previously been an elected member of the Orange County Republican Party Central Committee. If you check voter registration and votes cast you will discover that the “decline-to-state” category is quickly growing while both major party registrations are shrinking.
Mr Sanders story states that “Arambula is scheduled to be termed out next year from his Central Valley district, which encompasses portions of Fresno and Tulare counties.
It is not immediately clear how Arambula’s decision will affect the coming budget vote, which includes more than a dozen bills that will require a two-thirds majority in both houses to take effect immediately.
Arambula said his decision to become a decline-to-state voter, or independent, had been brewing for quite a while.
“I think I owe it to my constituents to be an independent voice,” he said. “My hope is that by becoming an independent that the concerns and the interests of my region will be heard.”
Arambula expressed reservations about the Democrats’ budget-balancing package, including proposed tax increases on tobacco and oil severance. But he did not say specifically that he planned to vote no.
“I have, in the past, voted for taxes, and I think there is a time and place to do so,” he said. “The reality is that we are unlikely to get a two-thirds (vote) to raise taxes, so whether I might support them in limited situations or not is an academic issue…I could vote for additional revenues if we had had done everything we can to reduce the costs.” Asked specifically if he felt the state had done so, Arambula said only that “I have a number of concerns on the budget.”
Republicans were quick to applaud Arambula.
“I’m not a Republican,” Arambula said. “I don’t intend to be a Republican. I want to feel free to disagree regardless what party is involved.”
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, in a written statement, said that Arambula has “been a thoughtful part of the leadership in the Democratic Caucus, so it’s unfortunate he has decided to re-register. Juan has important perspectives to offer, and I hope he will continue offering them to his colleagues as part of our caucus.”
“As to questions about what this may mean for the budget, the people in Assemblymember Arambula’s district — as in all our districts — need good schools and a safety net for the most vulnerable, and the Democratic Caucus will continue fighting for those causes.”
Two weeks ago, Bass named Arambula to head the Assembly Public Safety Committee in a shuffle necessitated by the departure of former Assemblyman Curren Price for the Senate.
Bass removed Arambula from the Assembly Budget Committee and a budget subcommittee on state administration upon his being named chairman of the public safety panel.”
Gilbert Note: I recall my discussion with a newly elected Orange County Assemblywoman who told me that her office in Sacramento was no larger than a “broom closet.” I can understand how members of our state legislature, in leadership positions, may require larger quarters than other elected officials. We visited former Republican leader Dick Ackerman who occupied a very large area just prior to his being termed out. However the following confirmation of party punishment is rather childish. If you don’t play ball with the party we will move you to the penalty box.
“Arambula has a reputation for speaking his mind and not necessarily voting in lockstep with the Democratic caucus.
Three years ago, then-Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez ordered Arambula to move into the Assembly’s “doghouse,” a shoe-box sized Capitol office often reserved for lawmakers in disfavor with their party’s leader.
Arambula was relegated to the tiny, fifth-floor office of 807 square feet after refusing to fall in line with Democratic leadership on a record $37.3 billion bond package.
Arambula also was stripped at the time of his chairmanship of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy.
Weeks later, Núñez relented, reinstating Arambula as committee chairman and offering his old office accommodations back.
To read the rest of Jim’s story simply click on the Sac Bee Story link as follows:
http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/1970145.html
And you thought “Hardball” was a progressive cable TV program
Art…a republican? I would never have thought that in a million years…wow! Well, at least he is declining to state which we are all doing nowadays.
Crips vs Bloods. Republicans vs Democrats. Six of one, a half dozen of the other. All just partisan politics – for the “party” – NOT the public.
getAgrip
You have pinned the tail on the donkey. Or in this case both the donkey and the elephant.