Davis Ends Opposition to Torres for Transit Post

Gov. Gray Davis and former U.S. Rep. Esteban Torres agreed Friday to end an ugly round of public hostilities over Davis’ attempt to reverse his appointment of the East Los Angeles Democrat to the California Transportation Commission.

Torres and Davis spokesman Steven Maviglio said Davis would send Torres’ name to the Senate for confirmation to a second four-year term on the commission, which dispenses about $3.5 billion a year in transportation funds.

The decision appeared to eliminate a last barrier for Torres. Davis appointed him on March 28, but then almost immediately changed his mind. Instead, the governor said, he wanted to name Torres to the state Board of Education or the board of trustees of the California State University system.

Torres refused to step down, charging that Davis aides had demanded that he first file an undated letter of resignation for his path to be cleared for service on the commission. Torres said he was so “desperate” to serve that he agreed to do it, but decided later it had been a bad move. He said it provided an opportunity for Davis to give what Torres called “a slap in the face” to the Latino community, whose once cordial relations with the governor have become ragged.

On Wednesday, Davis changed his mind a second time and agreed not to block Torres’ path any further by sending his nomination to the Senate for approval. Maviglio said that would be done Monday.