Former Culver City Mayor Appointed DMV Head
Former Culver City mayor Steven Gourley received final confirmation as director of the Department of Motor Vehicles on Thursday. The full state Senate voted 28-0 to approve Gourley’s appointment, which had been complicated by a court battle over the state’s right to charge disabled drivers a $6 fee for their blue parking placards.
Gov. Gray Davis announced in June that he would end the placard fight, but state lawyers have yet to reach a settlement with the plaintiffs who originally challenged the fee.
The impasse spurred advocates of rights for the disabled to oppose confirmation of Gourley, who was appointed by Davis nearly a year ago.
Senate President Pro Tem John L. Burton (D-San Francisco) delayed Gourley’s confirmation over the issue. But after a stern warning that the placard matter needed to be settled soon, Burton voted Wednesday with Rules Committee members 5-0 to approve Gourley, paving the way for the Senate’s Thursday vote.
A lawyer specializing in corporate securities and finance, Gourley served both as mayor and a member of the Culver City Council from 1988 to 1996. As DMV director, he earns a salary of $112,870.
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