Senate Rejects Major Governor Appointee

Restive Senate Democrats Thursday refused to approve a major appointee of Gov. George Deukmejian, handing the Republican chief executive a political setback at a time when he is trying to win legislative confirmation for his appointment of Rep. Daniel E. Lungren as state treasurer.

The Senate rejection of Deukmejian’s appointment of former Los Angeles educator Betty Cordoba to the state Public Employment Relations Board marked the second time in eight days that Senate Democrats have blocked a gubernatorial appointee.

Although they insisted that the Cordoba rejection had nothing to do with the upcoming confirmation of Republican Lungren, the Democrats happily noted that not one of them had voted for her.

Deukmejian issued an angry statement condemning the Democrats and defiantly declaring that “they won’t succeed in preventing me (from doing) what I was elected to do.”

Deukmejian told a reporter later he hoped the Senate vote did not represent a precursor of what might be in store for Lungren, a five-term congressman from Long Beach whose appointment has stirred controversy among Democrats in both houses.

Asked whether the rejection of Cordoba, who was strongly opposed by teacher unions, spells trouble for the Lungren nomination, Deukmejian said: “I hope not, but you know that only time will tell.”

Cordoba, who was portrayed by labor opponents as anti-collective bargaining, has filled an unexpired term on the Public Employment Relations Board since July. The board is charged with overseeing labor relations between teachers and other public employees and their employers, including the settlement of labor disputes.

Twenty-two Democrats voted against Cordoba, while all 15 minority Republicans and one independent voted “aye.” Last week, the Senate Rules Committee refused to approve the confirmation of Angie Papadakis, who opposed legislation to continue bilingual education programs, to the state Board of Education.

In his statement, Deukmejian praised Cordoba and Papadakis, of Rancho Palos Verdes, as “outstanding, dedicated women” who were denied confirmation “not because of any lack of education, integrity or fitness for office, but only because the Democratic members of the Senate want to try to dictate the policies of this Administration.”

The Senate plans to open confirmation hearings on Lungren Feb. 1. The Assembly has held four days of hearings but is expected to wait until the Senate hearings conclude before voting on Lungren to succeed the late Democrat Jesse M. Unruh as treasurer.

Some Democrats have indicated that they would be inclined to look upon Lungren more favorably if Deukmejian agrees to back off in his opposition to pet Democratic programs. Deukmejian, who rarely participates in legislative log-rolling, has shown no sign that he will bargain for Lungren.

Senate Democratic Leader Barry Keene of Benicia, an outspoken critic of Lungren, said he believed that Democratic rejection of Cordoba constituted a “toughening response to the governor’s persistent position that items are non-negotiable.”

“It is his way or no way,” he said.

Senate Republican Leader Ken Maddy of Fresno said that even though two controversial appointees had been defeated in a matter of days, “I don’t see it as a trend.”

In his first term as governor, Deukmejian took several beatings at the hands of the Democratic-dominated Senate on confirmation of appointees. The victims included state Finance Director Michael Franchetti, Industrial Relations Director Victor Veysey and Parks and Recreation Director Carol Hallett.

Cordoba, whom Democrats accused of opposing the mid-1970s law that created the board to which she was appointed, was filling a term that expired Jan. 1, although she could remain in office for 60 additional days or until she is reappointed or someone else is nominated.

Unlikely to Survive

Maddy said he told members of the governor’s staff that Cordoba was unlikely to survive Democratic opposition, and he did not want an “embarrassing,” losing fight.

Maddy said Cordoba, who taught in the Los Angeles Unified School District from 1949 until last year as a full-time and substitute teacher, told Deukmejian’s assistants she wanted to be voted on, and “I don’t mind if I lose.”

“If the labor unions want to test (Democrats) on the Senate floor, then let them be tested,” she said.

Cordoba, who was supported by school superintendents throughout the state, along with the California Federation of Republican Women, was called by Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles) the “premier opponent” to the law that created the Public Employment Relations Board, because philosophically she opposed the concept of collective bargaining.

Roberti charged that she had a “built-in, irreconcilable conflict of interest.”

“The problem is irretrievable,” he said.

But Maddy and other Republicans challenged Democrats to cite one instance in her six months on the board when Cordoba’s personal philosophy had gotten in the way of her ability to be fair. Democrats failed to do so.