PS 103A: Professionalizing the California Legislature

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 Professionalism Moving 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 Professionalism Professionalization 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 Professionalism Professionalization

Jesse Unruh and Professionalism Professionalization 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

What Else Has Changed? Partisan Polarization

Districts Have Grown with the State

Cost of Campaigns Skyrocketed

Budgets Are Often Late

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?