California Republican lawmakers remain frustrated after a minority was suddenly launched by Democratic Speaker Robert Rivas.
Parliamentary Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) believes the move could be a “retaliation” against Republicans as they oppose funding the state and criticize Democrats for handling issues, including increasing life, insurance, wildfires and energy gains.
“This is a new dog house move, and if Democratic leaders are not happy with you, they will make that change.”
Gallagher said he had a “good conversation” with Rivas after the announcement, but had few explanations for the reshuffle. He said some jabs of Republican lawmakers posted on social media that “can also rub certain people in the wrong way.”
As Speaker, Rivas has the right to appoint and remove the committee at any time, and changes on more than a dozen committees affected Republicans and Democrats last week. The redistribution of the committee is common in the legislature and can penetrate politically. Democrats held legislative transcendence, giving Republicans less political power.
“The spokesperson usually provides communications to the needs of the committee throughout the year, and his goal is always to ensure members work effectively and collaborate for Californians,” said Nick Miller, director of communications at Rivas.
Those who were deleted included General Assembly Carl Demaio (R-san Diego) and Alexandra MacDeo (R-Tulare), who were deported from the Parliament’s budget committee, and Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin), who lost their position as vice-chairman of the Parliament’s Health Committee. Three Democrats also lost their seats in the committee. Each committee still has a Republican vice chairman.
Demaio, who spoke out on social media platform X in recent weeks, has a significant following there, said Democratic leaders warned him that he had a lot of publicity for criticizing Gavin Newsom's spending plans during a controversial budget hearing, and he had a lot of publicity for criticizing the governor. Demaio also described the budgeted COVID-19 outreach program as “So So 2020.”
Other Republicans removed include the convention signings of Bill Eseyley (R-Corona) and David Tangipa (R-Sacramento). Although some Republicans were removed from office, they were also appointed to the new committee.
The vest questioned the Speaker's motivation for using her as a member of the Budget Committee. She was also replaced by another Republican as vice chairman of the government organizing committee. In addition to his removal, Macchito was appointed vice-chairman of the Election Commission to replace Essayli.
“I’ve been trying to educate myself on my problems…I don’t think crime is in line with punishment,” she said.
Patterson was surprised by the reorganization Monday, and he learned it while in the gym. “As an elected official of the minority party, you should expect you to talk about what is wrong with the majority’s behavior,” he said.
