Posted on 12/09/2005 7:18:19 PM PST by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO (AP) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday named a former GOP assemblyman as his new cabinet secretary, a move seen as crucial within the Republican Party to balance the governor's earlier appointment of a Democratic activist as his chief of staff.
He also announced creation of a new position, deputy chief of staff and senior adviser for policy development, filling it with a Republican operative. The moves were praised by the California Republican Party, which had received angry protests from grassroots organizers when Schwarzenegger named Susan Kennedy, an aide to former Democratic Gov. Gray Davis, as his chief of staff.
"Both ... appointments demonstrate the governor's solid commitment to a pro-business, pro-job growth agenda," state GOP spokeswoman Karen Hanretty said. "Both of these men have a history of opposing tax increases, and this sends a strong message to voters about the direction the governor is headed in 2006.
Fred Aguiar, secretary of the state and consumer services agency, replaces Democrat Terry Tamminen as cabinet secretary. Dan Dunmoyer, president of an insurance industry lobbying association, fills the new position under Kennedy and will help develop the administration's policy.
Hanretty said the moves send a message that Schwarzenegger is backing Republican ideals and is not sliding to the left after voters rejected all four of the initiatives he promoted on the Nov. 8 special election.
Aguiar, 57, is a longtime party loyalist with solid credentials with the state GOP. He is an Army veteran and co-author of the state's "three-strikes" law targeting repeat offenders.
In a statement, the governor said Aguiar will be valuable to his inner circle because of his extensive knowledge of state government. Aguiar, an Army veteran, praised Schwarzenegger's short tenure as governor, citing the state's rejuvenated fiscal health and worker's compensation reform.
"But California still faces a number of challenges, including an overburdened infrastructure and a school system that doesn't serve all our students well," Aguiar said in a statement. "I look forward to helping governor Schwarzenegger manage state government and to rebuild California."
Kennedy's appointment as Schwarzenegger's chief aide provoked heated criticism among Republicans and forced the governor to agree to a meeting next week with GOP party leaders. In part, they are concerned about how they will plot election-year strategies with a longtime Democratic activist seated beside the governor.
Among the critics was Sen. Dick Ackerman of Tustin, the Senate Republican leader. He praised the Aquiar selection but said it will not dampen the grassroots fury.
"It won't take away the concerns about Kennedy," he said. "I've known Fred for more than 10 years and served with him in the Assembly. He's a good man, well-respected. He's got a good relationship in the Legislature.
"But a lot of people still have concerns about the Kennedy appointment."
The cabinet secretary is the governor's representative to his cabinet members, including agency directors and department directors. The chief of staff runs day-to-day staff operations while also helping implement Schwarzenegger's policy agenda.
It was not immediately clear how the chief of staff and deputy chief of staff positions will work together.
Aguiar, a Vietnam veteran, previously was a San Bernardino County supervisor and a council member and mayor for the city of Chino before his election to the Assembly in 1992. He attended Cal Poly Pomona but did not graduate.
Dunmoyer, 43, has served as president and chief executive officer of the Personal Insurance Federation of California and is a former chief administrative officer for the Assembly. He has a master's degree in public administration from the University of Southern California.
Both positions pay $123,255 a year.
Tamminen will remain as Schwarzenegger's special assistant for energy and environmental technologies.
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Tamminen will remain as Schwarzenegger's special assistant for energy and environmental technologies.
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just aittle load leveling, nothing to see here.
Next week he will appoint a Republican as his wife in further attempts to make up for the blunder of hiring a "married" lesbian Democrat as his chief of staff.
Too little, too late. I emailed the Gov. stating no more money from me.
Is it me or are we watching state gubamint grow right before our very eyes?
That's a little encouraging, at least.
Cosmetics.
Under the cloud of a criminal investigation and facing certain impeachment, Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush resigned Wednesday, one day before he was to testify under oath on his role in a widening political corruption scandal.
(snip)
Republicans, who had increasingly isolated themselves from Quackenbush during the past month, said the evidence against him became so overwhelming that they had no choice but to desert him.
(snip)
Quackenbush's harshest critic, Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R- Northridge), who had issued the first call for his impeachment weeks ago, accused the commissioner of "betraying the most fundamental principles of the Republican Party."
"He's an example of the frailties of politicians when they lose sight of their official duties in pursuit of that siren song of self-interest," said McClintock.
(snip)
Dan Dunmoyer, a powerful insurance industry lobbyist who helped recruit Quackenbush to run for the statewide office in 1996, attended the Insurance Committee's brief meeting, but turned aside a reporter's request for an interview.
Later, Dunmoyer, president of the Personal Insurance Federation of California, distributed a statement that said he would have no comment "due to the ongoing investigation." The industry contributed more than $8.6 million to Quackenbush's campaigns, according to the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.
LOL. I read this yesterday:
http://www.capitolweekly.net/news/article.html?article_id=357
Democrats and Republicans alike agree that Kennedy can effectively and efficiently rule the bureaucracy. When she left the Davis administration, she had to be replaced by four full-time staffers.
Hay Norman... Yew cain't dew loadleveling to a PANTLOAD!!!
Oh God don't start, my stomach is sore already. LOL!
Paiging ScottinSacto... paiging ScottinSacto... You still lurking on FR???
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Instead of being the standard, it now becomes the exception upon which we should give praise when we are blessed with these small morsels. The approach seems to be working. I was astounded to find that Arnold appointed THREE more Republican judges today, in addition to Corrigan. After seeing 75% of his appointments in Los Angeles go to Dems, I about fell off my chair. LOL.
Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Appointments 12/09/2005
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Frank "Fred" Aguiar as cabinet secretary, Dan Dunmoyer as a deputy chief of staff and senior advisor for policy development, and Terry Tamminen as special assistant to the governor for energy and environmental technologies.
"Fred's extensive knowledge of state government in running the State and Consumer Services Agency and his experience as a former legislator will be invaluable as he serves as my right-hand man managing the state's agencies," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "I look forward to working with him and my other cabinet secretaries in rebuilding California so it can become again the great state it once was.
"I also want to thank Terry Tamminen for his outstanding work for the people of California. He will continue to serve in my administration as an advisor. His counsel and expertise will guarantee that California will continue to lead the world in our efforts to protect the environment while ensuring that we balance the needs of the state's recovering economy."
Aguiar currently serves as secretary of California's State and Consumer Services Agency. Prior to joining the Schwarzenegger Administration, he served for 19 years in local government as a San Bernardino County supervisor and a council member and mayor of the City of Chino. In 1992, Aguiar was elected to represent the then-61st Assembly District. In the Assembly, he chaired the Rules Committee and co-authored California's "Three Strikes" legislation. Before entering public life, Aguiar served as the director of commercial development for Lewis Homes of California and Nevada. Aguiar is also a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he served in the United States Army.
"I have been honored to spend the past two decades serving the people of the state of California," said Aguiar. "With the Governor's leadership, we have accomplished so much in the past two years. We have brought the state back from the brink of bankruptcy without raising taxes. We have lowered the state's workers' compensation costs, the poison of the state's economy. But California still faces a number of challenges, including an overburdened infrastructure and a school system that doesn't serve all our students well. I look forward to helping Governor Schwarzenegger manage state government and to rebuild California as cabinet secretary."
Aguiar, 57, currently resides in Sacramento, CA. He attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona where he completed coursework in Political Science. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $123,255. He is a Republican.
The cabinet secretary is a direct liaison between the governor and cabinet members, including all agency directors and department directors.
Dunmoyer will serve in a newly-created position that will help develop policy for the administration.
"As Governor, it is my duty to find the smartest and most capable people to help me move our great state forward," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "Dan's wide-ranging experience developing policy when he worked in the state assembly and his private sector experience will help me accomplish great things for the people of California."
For the past nine years, Dunmoyer has served as president and chief executive officer of the Personal Insurance Federation of California (PIFC), and has worked in various capacities for the PIFC since 1989. From 1984 to 1989, he served as the chief administrative officer for the Republican Caucus of the California State Assembly where he developed legislative and public policy strategies and managed a 60-member staff. He also oversaw the day-to-day operations of public policy and member services for 36 Republican state assembly members. Before assuming the post of chief administrative officer, Dunmoyer served as the senior consultant for the Assembly Finance and Insurance Committee and, before that, as the parliamentary advisor and editor of the "Floor Alert," a document used for decision making on the floor of the California Assembly.
"It is an honor to be asked by Governor Schwarzenegger to be a part of his administration," said Dunmoyer. "The Governor has shown a commitment to improving the business environment in order to create jobs, and to opposing tax increases. These are the types of values that I fought for in the state assembly and the principles I will advocate for while serving in the administration."
Dunmoyer, 43, is a Republican from Sacramento, CA. He earned a master of public administration and a bachelor of arts degree, from the University of Southern California. He has also studied at Cambridge University in England. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $123,255. Dunmoyer will assume this position January 1, 2006.
A highly paid lobbyist takes a job for less than $125K???
Good observation.
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