A Year After Unruh’s Death, Treasurer’s Spot Is Vacant

Today marks a dubious milestone in California politics: A full year has passed since the death of state Treasurer Jesse M. Unruh and still the seat once occupied by the powerful Democrat remains vacant.

Republican Gov. George Deukmejian, rebuffed by the Senate in his initial nomination of Rep. Daniel E. Lungren (R-Long Beach), has been unable to decide on a replacement. Even if a decision is made soon, it is likely that the confirmation process will drag on until the end of the year.

Already, acting Treasurer Elizabeth Whitney has occupied Unruh’s seat longer than Unruh had served in his fourth and final term in office.

Deukmejian acknowledges that the lack of a permanent treasurer has not brought the financial crisis that he had first predicted. But the delay poses a problem for the governor, who has attempted to cultivate an image of efficiency and decisiveness.

One close Deukmejian adviser said he is concerned that waiting too long will add to the perception among political insiders that the Administration is floundering. The governor’s second term has been marked by some embarrassing setbacks, including the Senate’s rejection of Lungren, the Administration’s unsuccessful appeal of the action and the governor’s surprise proposal for a tax increase that was quickly withdrawn in the face of political opposition.

Deukmejian is in Asia completing a two-week trade trip. Last month, he had strongly indicated that he would announce his selection of a treasurer before he left the country.

Kevin Brett, Deukmejian’s press secretary, rejected suggestions that the delay has tarnished the governor’s image, and he hinted that a decision may still be far down the road.

“The public fully expects Gov. Deukmejian to be deliberate and that he will not make a selection until he is satisfied and until he finds the most qualified person for the job,” he said.

Brett added that it is “possible, but not probable,” that the decision will be announced before the governor leaves for the Republican National Convention, which begins Aug. 15. But the selection, he said, also may be put off until after the Legislature’s scheduled adjournment Aug. 31.

Deukmejian reportedly is considering about 20 candidates, and he appears to be in a genuine quandary over which way to go.

Although generally out of the public limelight, the treasurer oversees billions of dollars in financial transactions that enabled Unruh to build the post into a powerful platform from which to raise campaign money. Both parties see the job as a political plum and a likely steppingstone to higher office, although it is unclear whether Democrats have the stomach for another bitter confirmation battle.

Nonetheless, the governor’s advisers have cautioned that should Deukmejian choose a Republican who could hang on to the post when it comes up for election in 1990, Democrats in the Senate once again may block confirmation.

Republican sources say the leading candidates are Board of Equalization member Ernest J. Dronenburg Jr., Orange County Supervisor Gaddi Vasquez, San Diego banker Tom Stickel, former U.S. Treasurer Angela M. Buchanan and Los Angeles County Supervisor Pete Schabarum.

Stickel and Buchanan have financial experience but have not run for office. So it is not clear whether they would be able to hang on to the office--a major criterion laid down by Deukmejian for all prospective appointees. Schabarum has a strong political base but because of his conservative voting record, may not pass muster with Senate Democrats. Vasquez, who served the governor as his deputy appointments secretary and was appointed by Deukmejian to his supervisorial post, has indicated that he is not interested in the treasurer’s job.

Dronenburg, by contrast, has both financial experience as a member of the taxing board and has been able to hold onto his office for the last decade. That may not be a true measure of his political abilities, however, because only four incumbents have been known to lose reelection in the 107-year history of the board.

Democrats May Run

Already two Democrats have indicated that they may run for the post in 1990, Board of Equalization member Conway Collis and Kathleen Brown, a member of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works and the sister of former Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr.

The selection process has been irksome to many Republicans in the Legislature, several of whom felt slighted when Deukmejian chose Lungren, a legislative outsider, and now are convinced that he intends to bypass them once again.

In a series of interviews before he left on his trade mission, Deukmejian said it would be difficult to appoint a Republican legislator who is running for reelection in November. The appointee’s Democratic opponent in the legislative race could charge the GOP incumbent with running for legislative office while actually intending to serve as treasurer.

While Deukmejian stopped short of ruling out such an appointment, his statements appear to cast doubt on all Assembly and Senate members who had been under consideration.

One veteran Senate Republican, who asked that his name not be used, said the governor’s position was not well received in the Legislature.

Different This Time

Another Republican senator said he was quite certain that only a legislator could be assured of winning confirmation. In any event, the lawmaker said, Deukmejian, who maintained a hands-off attitude during the Lungren confirmation hearings, would at a minimum “have to deal” with legislative leaders this time if he wants his nominee confirmed.

But in an interview last month with The Times, Deukmejian was defiant to any suggestion that he negotiate over the appointment. “The (state) Constitution does not require that I make my appointments with the advice of the Legislature,” he declared. “The Constitution puts the responsibility for making the nomination in my hands and (the Legislature’s) responsibility is to vote to confirm or not to confirm.”

Deukmejian said he would be “giving up my responsibility” if he so much as provided a list of possible nominees to legislative leaders.

In fact, top Republicans said aides to the governor initially promised to provide them with a “short list” of the top candidates. But the offer was delayed and later withdrawn, further alienating the very lawmakers who are called on to push Deukmejian’s legislative agenda.

Assemblyman Frank Hill (R-Whittier), who is among legislators who have expressed an interest in the treasurer’s job, said he perceives no great public pressure for a quick appointment. He and other lawmakers continue to hold out hope that the governor will put off a decision until November, eliminating the political risk in appointing a legislator.

“If (the governor) does not put anyone forth during August or even two weeks from now, there would not be enough time to confirm (before the end of the session),” Hill said. “That means everyone in the Legislature is back under consideration.”