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PS 103A: Professionalizing the California Legislature. Professionalizing the California Legislature. Artie Samish and His Amateurs Jesse Unruh and Professionalism Moving the 3 rd House into the Speaker’s Office Defining Professionalism Evaluating the Reforms.
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Professionalizing the California Legislature • Artie Samish and His Amateurs • Jesse Unruh and Professionalism • Moving the 3rd House into the Speaker’s Office • Defining Professionalism • Evaluating the Reforms
Artie Samish and His Amateurs • "And how are you today, Mr. Legislature?" – Colliers Magazine, August, 1949.
Artie Samish and His Amateurs • Until his 1953 income tax evasion conviction, Artie Samish claimed to be the “Secret Boss of California.” • He represented the liquor industry, horse racing, banks, chemical manufacturers, and transportation. • Samish took payments from companies and turned them into votes.
Artie Samish and His Amateurs • How Did the System Work? • Select and Elect. Samish says that he mostly selected likeminded candidates and helped them win. • Campaign Contributions in exchange for influence. • “Shrimp Hour”
Artie Samish and His Amateurs • What was the Legislature like circa 1950? • Influenced by “the third house,” which dangled answers and treats. • Possessed of less information and patience than the full time executive branch. • Tilted in favor of rural interests.
Artie Samish and His Amateurs • Malapportionment: Any drawing of legislative districts that does not lead to equal populations in districts. • California’s 80-member Assembly was loosely based on population, but 40-member Senate went by county lines. • 7 million voters vs. 29,000 voters. • Outlawed by Baker v. Carr (1962)
Jesse Unruh and Professionalism • Elected to the Assembly from Los Angeles in 1954, Unruh shifted power in the Legislature by: • Moving the 3rd House to the Speaker’s office • “Professionalizing” the Legislature through Proposition 1A in 1966
Jesse Unruh and ProfessionalismMoving the Third House • How Did the New System Work? • Howard Ahmanson’s Home Savings and Loan Money went to Unruh. • “Big Daddy” dispensed campaign funds, legislative perks, and other goodies to those in need. • Legislators supported him for Speaker and his interests
Jesse Unruh and ProfessionalismProfessionalization • As Speaker from 1961-68, Unruh “professionalized” the Legislature: • Staff – More and more expert • Salaries – Enough to make it a career • Session Length – Full time.
Jesse Unruh and ProfessionalismProfessionalization • Proposition 1A in 1966 • Allowed the Legislature to set its own calendar and salaries. • Passed by a 3-1 margin. • Unruh also hired expert staffers so that the Legislature could be independent of lobbyists and the governor.
Evaluating the Reforms • The Benefits of Professionalism • Made Legislature transformative. In contrast to a parliament that rubber stamps cabinet requests, it could change proposals and design bills of its own • Expert staff made lobbyists less powerful • Full-time members not tied to the whims or special interest of a day job
Evaluating the Reforms • The Problems with Professionalism • Power of incumbency grows with increased resources, makes government less responsive • Special interests still wield power through campaign contributions • “Career politicians” drawn from ranks of staff and local office
Discussion Questions • Has the California’s Legislature come full circle from the Artie Samish era to today? • Would you support an initiative to “deprofessionalize” the legislature? Why or why not?
