Posted on 12/01/2005 5:39:52 PM PST by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO (AP) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday named veteran fiscal officer Mike Genest as the state's director of the Department of Finance, the second high-profile appointment the governor has made in as many days.
Genest, 58, replaces Tom Campbell, who has returned to his post as dean of the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. Campbell had been on leave for several weeks before the Nov. 8 special election, traveling the state to promote Proposition 76. The spending cap initiative was one of four Schwarzenegger proposals rejected by voters.
A Republican, Genest was a member of former Gov. Pete Wilson's administration and spent most of the past year as undersecretary for the Health and Human Services Agency. He also has served as chief deputy director of the Department of Finance and as fiscal adviser to Senate Republicans.
"Mike's decades of experience in state government as a budget professional qualify him uniquely to serve as my director of finance," Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "Over the past two years, we have successfully worked to balance our state budget and reduce our debt without raising taxes. I look forward to working with Mike and the Legislature to build upon this foundation and rebuild California."
The $131,412-a-year position requires Senate confirmation.
In a related move, Schwarzenegger named Vincent Brown as chief deputy director of the Department of Finance. Brown, 53, is a Democrat who recently served as chief operating officer for state Controller Steve Westly, who has announced his bid to challenge Schwarzenegger in next year's gubernatorial election.
His position pays $129,432 a year and does not require Senate confirmation.
On Wednesday, the governor appointed Public Utilities Commission Susan Kennedy, a Democrat and an aide to former Gov. Gray Davis, as his chief of staff.
One of Pete's boys hops in the saddle.
I guess it's to be expected being as the GreenGUb is a big supporter of recycling.
(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.")
Did you say... "The GangGreenGuber?" Sure works for me!!!
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