Veteran legislator to replace Perata
In an effort to avert months of politicking, Democrat Darrell Steinberg is picked to take over as state Senate leader later in the year.
SACRAMENTO -- Two days after voters rejected a bid by sitting lawmakers to stay in office longer, veteran Democratic legislator Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento was chosen to replace Don Perata later this year as leader of the state Senate.
In the state Assembly, legislators set a March 11 date for choosing a new speaker.
In both houses, the current leaders -- Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez (D-Los Angeles) and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) -- are expected to remain in place at least until a budget is negotiated this summer.
The Senate's dominant Democrats agreed by acclamation that Steinberg would be the only candidate to replace Perata when a formal vote is held Aug. 21.
Perata said the agreement provides for an "an orderly transition" of leadership and removes distractions from the daunting task of closing California's $14.5-billion budget gap.
"Our No. 1 priority this year is to tackle a giant budget deficit in a way that protects California's future," Perata said.
The decision was made to avert months of behind-the-scenes deal-making and jostling between Steinberg and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), who also aspired to the leadership post.
Steinberg, 48, a former labor lawyer and educator, is well-liked by Senate colleagues. They know him as a policy wonk who has led the push for reform of education and mental healthcare in California.
Meanwhile, in an unusual press conference in the Assembly chamber today, Nuñez announced that his caucus had voted unanimously to keep him as leader until the legislative session ends on Nov. 30.
"We've agreed to a process in a way that expresses the utmost political maturity," Nuñez said.
He said he would not interfere in the jockeying to replace him and would probably leave politics for at least a couple of years when his term ends in December.
"We'll see what else comes. I think I do need to take some time off to do other things and spend more time with my family, because they've made a big sacrifice," Nuñez said.
patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com
nancy.vogel@latimes.com
