State Legislators Take Oath, Make History

A much-revamped San Fernando Valley state legislative delegation, featuring more Democrats, a half-dozen newcomers, one career comeback and the first Latino legislator to represent the area, was sworn in at the state Capitol on Monday.

“This reminds me of our wedding day,” anxious freshman Assemblyman Tony Cardenas said before the ceremony. “So much preparation. So much responsibility. So much contemplation. It’s an exciting moment.”

After taking his history-making oath of office as the region’s first Latino representative, Cardenas cast a vote to elect the first Latino Assembly speaker in California history--Cruz Bustamante (D-Fresno).

The day’s other history-maker was second-term Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl, whose Valley-Westside district straddles the Santa Monica Mountains. She was chosen speaker pro tem of the Assembly, the first woman and the first lesbian to achieve such a high post in the Legislature.

As second in command to Bustamante, Kuehl will preside at often-unruly Assembly sessions, a challenge she said she sought for substantive and symbolic reasons, after it became clear she did not have the votes to become speaker.

“I wanted it because I thought I could keep decorum in the House,” Kuehl said. “Symbolically, I think it is important for a woman to do this before the end of the century.”

In the state Senate, meanwhile, two new Valley lawmakers took office--Democrat Adam Schiff and Republican William “Pete” Knight. Knight was one of three senators who did not vote for returning Senate President Pro Tem Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward).

Munching on Mexican food at an afternoon reception, Schiff said: “I’m thrilled and honored to have a chance to serve the district.”

The Valley Assembly delegation includes five neophyte lawmakers, who will remain in Sacramento for a two-day orientation that includes topics ranging from how to work the computers to how to be an ethical officeholder.

There are also parties and receptions to attend, including one put on by the Latino Caucus in the rotunda of the Capitol after the legislative sessions.

The new Valley-area Assembly members are: Democrats Cardenas, Scott Wildman in the 43rd District, Jack Scott in the 44th District, Bob Hertzberg in the 40th District and Republican George Runner in the 36th District.

Wildman replaced new GOP Rep. James Rogan to represent Glendale, Burbank and parts of Los Angeles, while Scott unseated GOP Assemblyman Bill Hoge in a district that includes a portion of the East Valley.

Runner takes over the Antelope Valley seat held by Knight.

Wildman, who won by 192 votes, made his presence known even over the din in the chambers.

“Here!” Wildman shouted when attendance was taken.

“I wanted to make sure everyone knew I was there,” Wildman said later. His upset victory over businessman John Geranios didn’t become final until more than two weeks after the election.

Hertzberg was also exuberant, grinning from ear to ear as he greeted well-wishers, and eager to get his committee assignments, he said, so he can dig into the material.

Like many of the legislators, Hertzberg brought his own cheering section--about 60 family members and friends. Cardenas, one of 11 children, topped that with about 100 in his party. But because of space constraints, nearly all of them watched the festivities on closed circuit television from his office.

The Cardenas crowd took over a room at a Mexican restaurant Sunday night, waiting patiently for Cardenas and his wife, Norma, to arrive from a dinner for the members.

Working the crowd and posing for pictures as though he had been at it for years, Cardenas gave a rousing stump speech to his own relatives about becoming a part of the system.

“Esta es mi tierra,” Cardenas said. “This is my country.”

In a category of his own is Assemblyman Tom McClintock, who has reprised his legislative career after failing to win higher office. He succeeds Assemblywoman Paula Boland in the 38th District, centered in Northridge and Granada Hills.

“It’s a very strange feeling,” McClintock said. “Very familiar surroundings. New faces. Same old issues.”

McClintock got right down to legislating, introducing a bill to form the Bureaucracy Realignment and Closure Commission, fashioned on the federal group that decides which military bases to close.

Today, McClintock will introduce the same bill Boland pushed last year to make it easier for the Valley to secede from Los Angeles by eliminating the veto power of the City Council.

He predicted there will be more enthusiasm for the measure this year than last, when it was killed in a Senate committee.

“There is a growing sentiment in many parts of Los Angeles, not just the San Fernando Valley, that any community has the unfettered right of self-determination,” McClintock said.

* NEW SPEAKER: Cruz Bustamante takes powerful Assembly post. A1

* VALLEY GALLERY: Newcomer Tony Cardenas tours the Capitol. B12