Hayden Chairmanship Could Go to Friedman

SACRAMENTO — Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Los Angeles) is a leading candidate to become chairman of the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee, a post being vacated by Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica), according to legislative sources.

Friedman--whose district includes Sherman Oaks, Topanga and other Santa Monica Mountain areas of the western San Fernando Valley--on Thursday acknowledged that he had sought the appointment from Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco).

Friedman, elected in 1986, has not served as chairman of a major standing committee in the Assembly.

“Of what I understand is now available, this is the one I want,” Friedman said, citing his interest in issues handled by the panel such as worker safety, plant-closing notices and employment discrimination.

Michael Reese, Brown’s press secretary, said “no final decision has been made on the labor committee.”

Another name legislative sources have mentioned as a possible labor chairman is Assemblywoman Teresa P. Hughes (D-Los Angeles).

Reese would not comment on specific candidates.

On Wednesday, Hayden announced that he was stepping down from the labor committee chairmanship, a post he has held for the past two years.

He will accept the chairmanship of a new Assembly Higher Education Committee.