Asm. Joaquin Arambula (D–Fresno) mulled a run at being the next Speaker of the Assembly at the beginning of the year.
But half a year later, Arambula – who was unsuccessful in his attempt – now has been removed from a powerful committee assignment by the new Speaker.
The big picture: Monday, new Speaker Robert Rivas (D–Hollister) announced that he has removed Arambula from the Assembly Budget Committee.
- Arambula also lost his position as Chair of Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services, as well as his spots on Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Budget Process, Oversight and Program Evaluation and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
- Rivas appointed Asm. Akilah Weber (D–La Mesa) to replace Arambula in every position.
The backstory: Arambula and Rivas have a recent history in the latter’s ascension to becoming Speaker.
- While the Assembly came to a deal last year to have Rivas replace outgoing Speaker Anthony Rendon at the end of June, Arambula said in January that he was approached about the speakership and was considering a push to put him in the Assembly’s highest office instead of Rivas.
- Nothing ever came of Arambula’s desire to be Speaker, and Rivas officially took over on June 30.
Elsewhere in the Assembly: Along with the developments surrounding Arambula, two other Central Valley lawmakers have had their committee assignments shift this week.
- Asm. Esmeralda Soria (D–Fresno) was appointed as the Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee as she leaves behind her position leading the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.
- Rivas also appointed Soria to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
- Asm. Jasmeet Bains (D–Bakersfield) also adds the Agriculture Committee to her assignments.
