by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Well, that didn't take long.  Yesterday, we pointed out a Capitol Weekly story indicating that Sen. Steinberg was planning to run to be the Senate Leader. Today, it appears to be a done deal.  The CA Majority Report is now citing "several legislative sources" that Senator Perata has "orchestrated" a smooth transition to Senator Steinberg, a fairly progressive Sacramentan. Sen. Steinberg will take over as leader on August 21, a few months before Perata is termed out of office.

Now, I guess we're left with watching the Assembly for all the "palace intrigue."

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

According to legislative sources, Senate President Don Perata managed to orchestrate today what he said he wanted all along: an orderly and certain leadership transition at the end of the year. Today, the Senate Democratic Caucus agreed overwhelmingly to support Sacramento’s own Senator Darrell Steinberg as Senate President-designate, which is expected to occur on the August 21 date Senator Perata has already specified. In the meantime, Senators will be able to focus on issues, instead of palace intrigue. A formal announcement is expected later today.