Former Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, a Democrat from Newark, joins other ex-legislators on the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board with an appointment by Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, the speaker's office said today.
Torrico, the former Democratic majority leader in the Assembly, is a labor law attorney who has represented employees and taught employment law. His background in labor law was a prime reason for appointing him on Dec. 22 to the four-year job, which has a salary of $128,109 a year, said Shannon Murphy, spokeswoman for Pérez.
Two other freshly termed-out legislators are also new to the board, which is now comprised completely of six former lawmakers. A seventh position, which Gov. Jerry Brown has the authority to fill, is vacant. The board usually meets once a month. Its first meeting with new members is next Tuesday.
Dennis Hollingsworth, who just finished up as a Republican senator from Murrieta and GOP minority leader, was appointed to the board at the end of December by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger before he left office. Schwarzenegger also appointed termed-out former Sen. Roy Ashburn of Bakersfield.
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, in early December used his authority to appoint termed-out former Sen. Denise Ducheny, a San Diego Democrat who was chairwoman of the Senate Budget Committee and is also an attorney.
By statute, the board must include two attorneys.
Two other termed-out lawmakers also on the board were also appointed by Schwarzenegger. Former Assemblyman George Plescia, a Republican from La Jolla and a former GOP minority leader, joined the board in January 2009. Bonnie Garcia, a former Republican assemblywoman from Cathedral City , also joined in January 2009 after her Assembly term ended.
Latest posts:
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.