Assembly Poised for More Partisan Turmoil in 1996

SACRAMENTO — A year ago today, an obscure Republican lawmaker from Diamond Bar smashed his hand down on his desk and yelled out the name of Democrat Willie Brown as his choice for Assembly Speaker.

Paul Horcher’s deed--considered by Democrats a sign of courage but by Republicans an act of betrayal--stalemated the Assembly and initially allowed the controversial Brown to remain Speaker.

Ushering in one of the most tumultuous years in legislative history, Horcher’s dramatic gesture still reverberates in the Assembly, where Brown was followed as Speaker by Republicans Doris Allen of Cypress and, when she faltered, Brian Setencich of Fresno.

Exacerbating the instability, Republicans have mounted three recalls, one unsuccessful but two victorious: last May’s ouster of Horcher and last week’s removal of Allen.

Now, as the lower chamber enters its second year with a GOP majority, the political atmosphere remains just as unsettled, with little hope of change through the 1996 elections.

Republicans are rallying their troops to advance a conservative agenda shaped last week at a Palm Springs-area retreat and to topple Setencich, who was elected Speaker in the final days of the 1995 session with the help of Democrats.

Democrats are adjusting to their minority status and searching for a leader to replace Brown, who is the front-runner in next Tuesday’s election for mayor of San Francisco.

Underscoring the extent to which politics was turned upside down in the past year, former Republican Horcher is now a Democratic campaign consultant knocking on doors in San Francisco on weekends, soliciting votes for Brown. In an interview, Horcher said his action a year ago was a major turning point in his life.

Looking back, Horcher--the first lawmaker to be recalled in 81 years--says: “I have no regrets and maybe pride” in siding with Brown and keeping the Democrats in power.

On the eve of the San Francisco mayoral contest, Assembly Democrats are planning to hold their own retreat to map strategy for 1996 and the post-Brown era. One item at the top of the agenda will be discussion of how to pick a new leader--the first time that has been much more than a formality in 15 years. Not only must their choice steer Democrats on policy issues but, in the election year, fill Brown’s shoes as a skillful fund-raiser.

One of those vying for the job is Assemblyman Richard Katz of Sylmar, who is keeping in close contact with Setencich. The two attended a UCLA basketball game a week ago. Long a member of Brown’s inner circle, Katz conceded that Democrats will miss their longtime leader.

“We won’t be able to match what Brown did,” Katz said. “We’re not the majority party and Willie Brown was a phenomenal fund-raiser, in a class by himself.”

Democrats say that a number of lawmakers may fill Brown’s role of tapping special interests and other contributors, especially in the traditional Democratic donor base in West Los Angeles.

On the heels of next week’s retreat, Assembly newcomer Sheila Kuehl of Santa Monica is planning a “Wizard of Oz”-themed fund raiser in Los Angeles, with the former TV actress starring as Dorothy and Brown playing--what else--the wizard.

Citing Dorothy’s journey out of Oz, Kuehl said, “If we’re going to get back home to a Democratic majority, we’ll do it by relying on our own resources . . . just like Dorothy did.”

As Kuehl and other new members step forward, Democrats acknowledge they may hit a few rough spots in the absence of strongman Brown. But they are banking on Republicans having a rough time assuming the majority position in the Assembly.

Democrats are “trying to be opportunistic and take advantage of the disarray of the Republicans,” said Bill Carrick, a top Democratic political strategist.

Carrick said that there is “a big adjustment” for Assembly Democrats but they “are beginning to see the opportunities for 1996 are better if the Republicans are seen as totally in charge of the Assembly, as opposed to the sense this is a bipartisan mess that both Democrats and Republicans are responsible for.”

Katz said Democrats have shown they can use their minority status to advance their agenda, such as securing more funds for public education. “It’s the only option you have if you’re not the majority,” Katz said.

While some Democrats see the former Los Angeles mayoral candidate as their best hope, others suggest establishing a collective leadership or turning to a newer member, such as Cruz Bustamante of Fresno, who, unlike Katz, is not barred by term limits from seeking reelection.

“A lot of us feel that new members need to take on those [leadership] positions now,” said Assemblywoman Denise Ducheny (D-San Diego). “We have the stake in 1996 . . . we have to be prepared to come next December, assuming we can win 41 or 42 seats, we can run this house.” She declined to say whether she is backing Bustamante.

Bustamante could not be reached for comment.

Republicans, meanwhile, are focused on knocking off Setencich, who maintains that next month he will attract enough GOP votes to stay Speaker when the Assembly reconvenes.

“I’m the Speaker and I intend to be the Speaker,” Setencich said during an interview on Monday.

Citing his get-together with Katz and socializing with Republican lawmakers, Setencich said, “I wish that more people in the Assembly would build camaraderie with each other because then we would have much better decorum . . . and probably get a whole lot more done.”

But he is facing strong opposition from Assembly GOP Leader Curt Pringle of Garden Grove. Pringle took a strong step toward consolidating power in his caucus by championing the Allen recall. Pringle maintains he best represents the views of “real Republicans.”

Setencich said the recalls that have dominated the past year have not been good for the state and that lawmakers instead should be focused on policy questions facing California.

Other Republicans say they, too, want to focus on such issues as reforming welfare or improving conditions for business. Assemblyman Jim Battin (R-Palm Desert), who helped organize the recent GOP retreat where these issues were discussed, said that, after 15 years with Brown in the Assembly leadership, “we have a lot to undo.”

Assemblyman Jim Brulte (R-Rancho Cucamonga), Pringle’s predecessor as GOP leader and who was denied the speakership when Horcher defected, said he doesn’t dwell on it. “Oh, I forgot about that,” cracked Brulte, who is now seeking a state Senate seat.

The vote a year ago, Brulte said, simply delayed “by one year the ability of Republicans to enact our agenda.”

Some Democrats, however, say they remember Horcher’s vote with relish because it allowed them to share some power even though they were in the minority.

“It’s a happy anniversary,” Assemblywoman Diane Martinez (D-Rosemead) said, “because we did not lose ground on the issues we care about” such as protecting programs for the poor.