Floyd Regrets Crudity on Assembly Floor

In a move designed to avoid action on a censure motion, Assemblyman Richard E. Floyd (D-Hawthorne) Monday apologized for calling Gov. George Deukmejian “the most hard-headed s.o.b.” in the state Capitol.

Floyd made the statement in a wild Assembly floor session last week during a dispute over the governor’s embattled state budget.

Assemblyman Steve Peace (D-Chula Vista), a member of the rebel “Gang of Five” that is engaged in a power struggle with Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco), took offense at Floyd’s remarks and demanded an apology.

Floyd, a Brown loyalist, refused and made a vulgar gesture. Peace then moved that Floyd be censured for his language.

‘Frustrated, Disappointed’

A subdued Floyd explained Monday that he was “frustrated and disappointed” when he used the term “s.o.b.” because the governor had vetoed his bill to require motorcyclists to wear safety helmets. He also said he had been “lectured by my momma” on his use of the term over the weekend.

“I did not believe it would be all that offensive,” Floyd said. “Finding it is now, I do apologize. I will never again use that word, or initials anyway, on the floor.”

“I will join him (Peace) as a born-again reformist, and I will never forget him for helping me in this manner.”

Speaker Brown accepted Floyd’s apology. “I think Mr. Floyd has adequately and appropriately apologized for his utterances on this floor,” he said.

Brown instructed the Democratic and Republican leadership to meet as soon as possible to discuss a caucus of the whole to discuss the problem of Assembly decorum.