Hayden Says He Will Head Assembly Education Panel
Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) said on Wednesday that when the Legislature reconvenes next month, he will become the chairman of a new Assembly Higher Education Committee. As a result, Hayden will give up the chairmanship of the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee.
A spokesman for Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) would not comment on Hayden’s announcement. Brown is expected to announce new committee assignments next month.
The apparent committee switch comes amid reports that Brown is being pressured to strip Hayden of the labor post as punishment for several supposed political sins. These include his championing of “Big Green,” the sweeping environmental initiative voters rejected last month. Hayden dismissed suggestions that he was being punished, but acknowledged that his “Big Green” leadership role “may have ruffled some feathers” in the Legislature.
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