Darrell Steinberg to be New Head of State Senate at End of Session: Perata to Stay at Helm During Rocky Times This Year With Cal

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Frank D. Russo

There he was, being introduced by California Senate President pro Tem Don Perata as the “maid in waiting,” the man with a Cheshire cat grin, who had gained the easy consensus of the Senate Democratic Caucus that he will take Perata’s place—on August 21 at the end of this year’s legislative session. Standing next to him was Senator Alex Padilla, who had been interested in the top spot, but who was effusive in his support of Steinberg. The two contenders had just broken bread—literally—they had lunch before appearing before reporters, Steinberg a chopped salad and Padilla a turkey and cheese sandwich at the River Café in Sacramento.

Earlier in the day, the Sacramento Bee had headlined it “A 'nice guy' out to finish first Steinberg could be Capital's first Senate leader since 1883.” Keying on that, Padilla said of his onetime competitor, “I’m here to tell the Sacramento Bee that, yes, Darrel Steinberg is a nice guy. He is not only well liked, but truly respected.”

Padilla lauded Steinberg for not only his service in the Senate, but the Assembly and in local government. Steinberg has been described as a veteran legislator in the media—with his 7 years total in both houses. He is not termed out until 2014, and so can have many years in this leadership role. With this year’s budget and future ones on everyone’s minds, Padilla noted that Steinberg was “a leader who has appreciation for what cutting county dollars might mean for someone in foster care…who knows when you cut money to cities what that means to police protections and public safety in tough neighborhoods.”

Steinberg is indeed a nice guy—thoughtful, listening to others’ points of view—and cerebral at times, passionate and caring, and an incredibly hard working legislator who wants to get things done. He has enthusiasm for his causes, is a man in motion with a big grin on his face, almost like a big kid, but razor sharp on the details of bills and policies, as he asks questions in hearings and buttonholes votes on bills. He spoke of what was most important to him—making sure that “the people who too often do not have a voice, get heard in the legislature.”

This is man who walks the walk. Two of his biggest passions have been health care and programs for the mentally ill and reducing the high school dropout rate. He authored Prop 63 which passed and imposed a 1% tax on millionaires to fund mental health services. He spoke yesterday of working with the Governor on career technical education and said “I’d like to see us do everything we can so no kid has the prospect of dropping out of high school because we are providing multiple pathways.”

He also approaches the job with humility and an understanding that it is a daunting task to do what he has set out to accomplish. He said: “I know watching many Speakers and Senator Perata what a difficult and challenging job this is. But I want to tell you, at the right time, which will be after Senator Perata’s term ends, I will be ready to go. The challenges in California are immense. The budget is the greatest example of that. When it is my turn, I will give every ounce of intellect, every ounce of energy, and every ounce of passion I have to make sure that the people of California are well served.”