The attitude of Democrats in the Legislature seems to be that, if it’s bad news, we don’t want to hear it. And if it’s really bad news, we’ll try to suppress it.
What else can explain the effort to limit the participation of Republicans in the Legislative process who dare to ask such dangerous questions, such as “Where is all the taxpayer money going?”
Last Friday, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas made several changes to the makeup of more than a dozen policy and budget committees. What was unusual about the move is that the Legislature had yet to hear a single bill in committee, a normal prerequisite before making wholesale changes to who serves on those committees.
Republican leadership rightfully characterized the Speaker’s power play as “retaliation” for being increasingly outspoken over Democrats’ far left policies and failure to account for billions of dollars in spending. Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher, R-Chico, wrote on X, “They don’t like us calling them out.”
In response to criticism over the controversial move, the best the Democrat majority could cough up was a typical mealy mouthed response from the Speaker’s spokesman to the Sacramento Bee: “The Speaker routinely addresses committee needs throughout the year, and his goal is always to ensure members are in optimal roles to collaborate effectively and deliver for Californians.”
Two of the targets of the “Rivas Rage,” were Assemblyman Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, removed from the Assembly Budget Committee, and Assemblyman Bill Essayli, R-Corona, thrown off the Assembly’s Elections Committee.
DeMaio founded Reform California, which seeks several changes in California law to make the state more responsive and accountable. He has allied with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association on several occasions, including helping with the signature gathering effort to qualify the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act. Although TPA qualified for the November election, it was stripped from the ballot by the California Supreme Court, leading the Wall Street Journal to publish an editorial headlined, “Democracy Dies in California.”
For Essayli, being thrown off a committee is not a new experience as his proclivity to ask tough questions in committee previously got him tossed from the Judiciary Committee.
It should be noted that none of the Republicans who were removed from committees or demoted engaged in any behavior designed to be disruptive of the legislative process. Democrats in Congress such as Al Green, D-Texas, should take note. (Green was just censured by the House of Representatives for repeatedly heckling President Donald Trump during his address to a joint session of Congress.)
The only “sin” of the Republicans who have been removed from their committees is that the party has stepped up its ability to communicate effectively, whether as individual members or as a caucus. Committee hearings that in earlier years were inaccessible to the public are now all broadcast and recorded thanks to Proposition 34 (2016). DeMaio in particular has been reported to have his YouTube postings of the committee hearings receive hundreds of thousands of views. Not only that, but Republican leaders are increasingly appearing on YouTube and podcasts.
While alternative media have become more important in exposing legislative malfeasance, there has also been increasing scrutiny of the majority party by mainstream media. Even the reliably progressive Sacramento Bee was highly critical of the Speaker’s move. In response to the non-response from Rivas’ spokesman, the Bee said, “That doesn’t say anything. It represents Rivas as one of those Sacramento politicians who skirts accountability by hiding behind obsequious handlers peddling smarmy non-statements. His actions are undemocratic and unacceptable.” Ouch.
The sad part of Rivas’ actions is that he is denying his own party the opportunity to hear and respond to different perspectives on how to solve California’s countless problems as well as the expertise held by several Republican members. Instead of engaging with Republicans, they slam the door, which reinforces California’s standing as a decidedly anti-democratic state.
Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
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