By: AllenPayton

AllenPayton — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:58:20 +0000

First it was the decision of Congresswoman Tauscher’s to accept the appointment to the State Department in the middle of her term, that caused the special congressional election to replace her. Then, with all due respect to our new Congressman, John Garamendi, it was his decision to run for Congress in the middle of his term, which caused the vacancy in the Lt. Gov’s office. So the “special election costs” issue by Sen. Steinberg can be traced directly to two of his Democrat colleagues.
This is merely part of the cost of our current system. If the Governor had the power to appoint someone to the vacant State Senate seat, as he does for vacant County Supervisor seats, then there’d be no need for a costly election. But, he doesn’t.
So if Steinberg really doesn’t want the special State Senate election, then he and his fellow Dems in the Senate have the votes to oppose confirmation of Maldonado. Then who would he suggest Schwarzenegger appoint?
I believe the real issue is Steinberg doesn’t want to give Maldonado, a Republican, a leg up in the Lt. Gov election for next year, should he decide to run.

Comments on: Dem leader not hot on Maldonado

By: AllenPayton