Late last week, Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, acting like a four-year-old moved third-term Assemblyman Todd Spitzer into what is literally the smallest legislative office in the State Capitol. What did Spitzer do to merit being the target of this Núñez "tantrum" ?? Well, I’m not sure what the proverbial straw was that broke the back of the Speaker, but there is no doubt that Spitzer’s multi-year battle against liberal Democrats and their unwillingness to hold individuals responsible for their criminal actions (ultra-liberals belief that these criminals are actually ‘victims’ themselves, of a society that has ‘forced’ them into committing crime). Núñez famously verbally assaulted Spitzer after he wrote on this website a column talking about how Democrats were "pro-criminal" – which, based on their constant rejection of tough-on-criminal legislation, is an accurate label!
Below is an exclusive column from Assembly Republican Caucus Chairman Bob Huff, penned in response to Nunez’ childish action:
Bullying Tactics Fail to Intimidate Assembly Republicans
By The Honorable Bob Huff
“I think that this sends not only the right message to folks out in the public, but also for us. It says we can work well together. The days of ‘gotcha’ politics are over in California.”
– Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez on April 26, 2007
While the cameras rolled, Speaker Núñez stood on the Assembly floor promoting the prison reform bill as a bipartisan measure that provided another example of how working together is the best way to tackle the state’s biggest problems.
But, petty political retribution returned to the halls of the Capitol last Thursday when the Speaker exiled my colleague in the State Assembly, Todd Spitzer, to the smallest office in the building. Just fourteen days after the prison deal, Speaker Núñez retreated to his “gotcha” politics (his words, not mine) to punish the Republican who drove the debate for prison reform.
Decreasing crime rates since the passage of Three Strikes proves that keeping criminals off the streets is the only solution to keep California families and communities safe. But, prison construction has not kept pace with California’s growing population. As millions of people have moved to the Golden State, the Legislature has neglected its responsibility to increase the capacity of its prison system. When the problem reached an intolerable zenith, the federal courts intervened on behalf of the crowded prison population and issued an ultimatum to the state government: fix the problem or we’ll fix it for you.
The Democrats suggested “sentencing reform”. They argued that shorter sentences and early release for convicted felons will cause the prison population to decline (never mind California’s escalating recidivism rate.) But, Republicans refused to negotiate lighter sentences for prisoners.
For months, Assemblyman Spitzer raised his microphone during each Assembly session, challenging Democrats to take action on prison overcrowding before the impending deadline set by the courts to solve the problem. He led Assembly Republicans on the “Keeping Californians Safe” tour of prison facilities across the sate, highlighting the real prospect of thousands of serious and repeat criminals being released into neighborhoods if the Legislature failed to agree on a prison reform package. As a result, his leadership has been recognized by virtually every law enforcement and crime victims group in the state.
A champion for public safety, Assemblyman Spitzer redirected the prison reform debate from a discussion on revised sentencing guidelines to the need for prison construction and increased capacity.
The Speaker’s subsequent bullying tactics won’t silence open debate in the State Assembly. Whether we have an office in the Capitol or are expelled to a tent on the front lawn, Assembly Republicans will continue to fight for public safety. A roll of packing tape and a few cardboard moving boxes won’t intimidate us.
Assembly Republican Caucus Chair Bob Huff, of Diamond Bar, represents the 60th Assembly District in the California Legislature.
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