We only had two days of program before we went on our Thanksgiving break. Our minds were elsewhere considering we had just got our placements and a long weekend off sounded so great. We did get information about a mock hearing we are having. Some of us are playing members of the Judiciary committee and some are playing bill advocates. Me and another student are presenting a Physician's Assisted Suicide Bill. Each of the committee members has a fictitious biography, and we have to tailor how we present the bill to appeal to their perspectives. I happen to find this really fun, but then again I am a huge nerd. I am going to pretend to be a republican and argue that the government should not impede individuals decisions about their own lives. We need nine of sixteen committee votes to make it out, so wish me luck.
We also got our second major assignment. We have to do a report on a Department in the California State governement and I chose to do the Board of Registered Nursing. I was interviewed by the Schwarzenegger administration for a position on the BRN last year, but did not get the position. Also, as some know, there were major fireworks at the BRN last year and multiple members resigned/were fired and the executive director had to step down.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Week Four
This week was unbelievably stressful. This was the week we interviewed in the various offices. This process was totally nuts. In my case, I interviewed in 12 offices in four days. I was really nervous. Most of the interviews asked similar and traditional interview questions. So eventually I had my lines down pat. However, some were a little off the wall. In one interview I was asked, “If I could put anyone on a postage stamp who would it be?” I was caught a little off guard, so I fell back to something I am comfortable with. “Tommy Lasorda” I answered. I probably should have said Martin Luther King, Jr. or John Brown, but I went with baseball. I found myself laughing at my flippant choice, and justified it by saying, “Tommy Lasorda is an ambassador of baseball, and baseball is America’s pastime.” The office happened to be filled with baseball fans, so I was off the hook. But, I thought it was funny.
The other nerve-racking part of the week was on Friday. Our list of offices preferences was due, and I really was not sure where I wanted to work. I wanted to work in a leadership office. As someone that loves politics I thought I would want to work with someone that was helping with the Democratic caucus’ decisions. I also wanted to work with someone on the Assembly health committee. Finally, I wanted to find an office I would be a good fit in. Unfortunately, I just could not figure out a way to find all three in one office. So I was fretting. I finally made my list based on prioritizing number three above all else. A constant message I got from former Fellows and other staff members was to make sure that there was a good rapport between the Fellow and the office. I started thinking about coming in to the office everyday and how it would be tough it wasn’t a warm environment. Knowing myself I realize that I flourish in friendly and laid back environments. I wanted to be happy at work and ultimately choose the place that I thought this would be most likely. Assemblymember Portantino’s staff reached out to me, and made me feel wanted. I think I made the right choice.
The other nerve-racking part of the week was on Friday. Our list of offices preferences was due, and I really was not sure where I wanted to work. I wanted to work in a leadership office. As someone that loves politics I thought I would want to work with someone that was helping with the Democratic caucus’ decisions. I also wanted to work with someone on the Assembly health committee. Finally, I wanted to find an office I would be a good fit in. Unfortunately, I just could not figure out a way to find all three in one office. So I was fretting. I finally made my list based on prioritizing number three above all else. A constant message I got from former Fellows and other staff members was to make sure that there was a good rapport between the Fellow and the office. I started thinking about coming in to the office everyday and how it would be tough it wasn’t a warm environment. Knowing myself I realize that I flourish in friendly and laid back environments. I wanted to be happy at work and ultimately choose the place that I thought this would be most likely. Assemblymember Portantino’s staff reached out to me, and made me feel wanted. I think I made the right choice.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Week Three
By week three things are more familiar. The Fellows are in a routine at this point, and are establishing good relationships amongst each other. We have a lot of shared experiences, which naturally leads to comfort and cohesiveness. We are also spending inordinate amounts of time together and are presented with copious issues to discuss, argue and debate. I find myself talking to Republicans a lot, and having my preconceptions of what constitutes a Republican challenged. We have several moderate Republicans too, as well as some who have fluid and counterintuitive positions on some issues. They all seem to hate unions though, so with my union advocacy background we have something to argue about. The Democrats are a diverse bunch too. Some consider themselves “moderate,” which has so many different possible meanings, so we are not all in lockstep. I am probably one of the more openly progressive Democrats, so I find myself arguing and debating other Democrats as much as Republicans. Ultimately, it is super fun. I love politics and debate, and finding other intelligent and engaged people who do too is really great.
Something I have left out are the interactions we have with the other Fellowship programs. We have a fair amount of shared activities with the Senate and Executive Fellowships, and a limited amount with the Judicial Fellows. I have, in general, found the Executive Fellows to be the more social bunch, but have had good experiences with almost everyone. It is a great group of people all around, and the Fellows in the aggregate are one of the best elements of my experience so far.
We have an all Fellows kickball game going on Sundays that has been pretty well attended. We mix up the programs, and watch peoples competitive sides come out. Most people that make it through the rigorous interview process have a fairly well developed competitive side. (which I absolutely love!)
Something I have left out are the interactions we have with the other Fellowship programs. We have a fair amount of shared activities with the Senate and Executive Fellowships, and a limited amount with the Judicial Fellows. I have, in general, found the Executive Fellows to be the more social bunch, but have had good experiences with almost everyone. It is a great group of people all around, and the Fellows in the aggregate are one of the best elements of my experience so far.
We have an all Fellows kickball game going on Sundays that has been pretty well attended. We mix up the programs, and watch peoples competitive sides come out. Most people that make it through the rigorous interview process have a fairly well developed competitive side. (which I absolutely love!)
Assembly Fellows Bio Information
There are 18 of us total (6 Republicans, 12 Democrats; 9 men, 9 women). We are from all over the State (and a couple of foreign born Fellows). There are a lot of University of California (Davis, Berkeley, Irvine, Riverside, Los Angeles) graduates, CSU grads (Long Beach, Sacramento), and private schoolers (Mills, Pitzer, Fresno Pacific, Redlands, Occidental). We also have a native Californian that went to the University of Michigan. A few of us have graduate experience: one law school grad (McGeorge), one has a Master’s from the London School of Economics, and me with half a degree from UCSF. A lot of the Fellows did UCDC (University of California’s program in Washington D.C.) or UCCS/Sac State Semester (college internships in Sacramento), many were involved in school government (2 school presidents), and some of us campaign and community organizing experience.
Week Two
Week Two:
In week two we really began to focus. We had some great guest speakers (i.e. the head of the Assembly budget committee, the deputy director of the budget for the department of finance, and a staff member from the legislative analyst’s office). We had engaging and informational seminars on term limits and the budget. We met more high- ranking and influential leaders and Assembly staff members (many of which are former fellows) that gave us knowledge and insight in to the working in the Assembly. We also got wooed by a couple more Assemblymembers and did more team building/ informational exercises. We went on an “Agricultural tour” which started with learning about the department of Food and Agriculture and meeting and then proceeded to an agricultural non-profit, a daily (which I could not stand, poor cows) and a winery.
I cannot express enough how much access this programs allows Fellows to have. During week two we met with two more Assemblymembers, were fed by another one, met with the chief clerk and got time to ask questions to people who know the building really well. Also, we got another chance to talk to talk to the selection committee who are all heavy weights in the Capital. It is so great. All the former fellows that still work in the Capital tell us that in our fellowship we are able to get people on the phone, or to help us like no one else. They said now that they are out of their fellowship year they do not have the same access.
In week two we really began to focus. We had some great guest speakers (i.e. the head of the Assembly budget committee, the deputy director of the budget for the department of finance, and a staff member from the legislative analyst’s office). We had engaging and informational seminars on term limits and the budget. We met more high- ranking and influential leaders and Assembly staff members (many of which are former fellows) that gave us knowledge and insight in to the working in the Assembly. We also got wooed by a couple more Assemblymembers and did more team building/ informational exercises. We went on an “Agricultural tour” which started with learning about the department of Food and Agriculture and meeting and then proceeded to an agricultural non-profit, a daily (which I could not stand, poor cows) and a winery.
I cannot express enough how much access this programs allows Fellows to have. During week two we met with two more Assemblymembers, were fed by another one, met with the chief clerk and got time to ask questions to people who know the building really well. Also, we got another chance to talk to talk to the selection committee who are all heavy weights in the Capital. It is so great. All the former fellows that still work in the Capital tell us that in our fellowship we are able to get people on the phone, or to help us like no one else. They said now that they are out of their fellowship year they do not have the same access.
Belated blog updating
First, I have to say there is a reason why I am writing this on Thanksgiving morning. Today is exactly one month from the day the fellowship started, and frankly it has been a total blur. Between the grueling yet exciting Assembly Fellows program, the homework assignments, preparing for more than a dozen interviews, and the extensive social calendar of and engaged Fellow there has been little time to reflect on the experiences let alone write them down. Well I am doing it now (with the aid of some Thanksgiving treats) and will try to be better about more contemporaneous updates in the future.
Okay the big news: I was placed in Assemblymember Anthony Portantino’s (D-Pasadena) office. Assemblymember Portantino has a friendly and gregarious personality and known to be a hard worker and a serious and sincere public servant. He also has an intelligent and experienced staff that I found to be warm, inviting and committed to helping the residents of the 44th Assembly district and California as a whole. I am really happy I was placed there. There is a complex placement process that is similar to medical residency matching that leaves Fellows and offices in the dark for a couple of days about who will end up where. This office was my first choice, so I am really excited. After the Thanksgiving holiday we have another week of class before we report to our offices and start working as full time staffers. I am excited to get to work!
So, about the experience. It has been exhilarating . I will do a week by week account that hopefully reflects the actual experience of an Assembly Fellow. It is a fantastic program and I recommend it to anyone that is interested in learning more about how the State of California works.
Week One:
The Assembly Fellows met for dinner the Sunday night prior to the beginning of the program and everybody seemed to get along well. Consuelo Hernandez, the program’s coordinator, hosted it at her house and it was great. We also met Professor Wadle’ again, the programs’ academic advisor, after initially meeting him during the Fellows interview. During the interviews, I have been told, the program’s selection committee is looking for personalities that can get along with everyone (especially with people with different political perspectives). So it was not an accident that we all were able to have a good time despite having disparate political opinions.
Week one had a fair amount of bureaucratic/business elements (getting capital IDs, taking mandated ethics classes, payroll, benefits, etc.), and a lot of getting to know everyone exercises. We also got lots of useful advice and kudos from former fellows, program administrators, and high-ranking Assembly staffers. We also started getting wooed directly by Assemblymembers (with lunch and all) that want to have a fellow in their offices. The flattery is nice of course, but a lot of us feel so green that we start getting worried if we can live up to the expectations. We started our academic seminars and got our first homework assignment. We were assigned partners and a bill to research and then we read legislative analysts and interviewed people who took part in the bill’s life. In my case, I was assigned to work on Assembly Bill 9: the Ignition Interlock Device. This is basically a breathalyzer that is put in people’s cars after they are convicted of DUIs that they have to blow in to for their car to turn on. We got access to the author’s (Feuer D-Los Angeles) Chief of Staff and were able to interview her for half an hour. It was great and she was so helpful.
There is also tons of teambuilding during the program. During the first week we went to the Sacramento State Aquatic Center with all the fellows from the other program. We did mostly water races and had a blast. We also had a reception at a local bar with former fellows. Some of the former fellows worked still worked in the Legislature and were actively courting us. Again flattering, yet nerve-wracking. There is definitely a community of former fellows that look out for one another and especially for new fellows. It is a built-in, exclusive network that is one of the best parts of the program.
Week one was great, and I was so pooped by Saturday. We had so much fun and I learned a ton.
Okay the big news: I was placed in Assemblymember Anthony Portantino’s (D-Pasadena) office. Assemblymember Portantino has a friendly and gregarious personality and known to be a hard worker and a serious and sincere public servant. He also has an intelligent and experienced staff that I found to be warm, inviting and committed to helping the residents of the 44th Assembly district and California as a whole. I am really happy I was placed there. There is a complex placement process that is similar to medical residency matching that leaves Fellows and offices in the dark for a couple of days about who will end up where. This office was my first choice, so I am really excited. After the Thanksgiving holiday we have another week of class before we report to our offices and start working as full time staffers. I am excited to get to work!
So, about the experience. It has been exhilarating . I will do a week by week account that hopefully reflects the actual experience of an Assembly Fellow. It is a fantastic program and I recommend it to anyone that is interested in learning more about how the State of California works.
Week One:
The Assembly Fellows met for dinner the Sunday night prior to the beginning of the program and everybody seemed to get along well. Consuelo Hernandez, the program’s coordinator, hosted it at her house and it was great. We also met Professor Wadle’ again, the programs’ academic advisor, after initially meeting him during the Fellows interview. During the interviews, I have been told, the program’s selection committee is looking for personalities that can get along with everyone (especially with people with different political perspectives). So it was not an accident that we all were able to have a good time despite having disparate political opinions.
Week one had a fair amount of bureaucratic/business elements (getting capital IDs, taking mandated ethics classes, payroll, benefits, etc.), and a lot of getting to know everyone exercises. We also got lots of useful advice and kudos from former fellows, program administrators, and high-ranking Assembly staffers. We also started getting wooed directly by Assemblymembers (with lunch and all) that want to have a fellow in their offices. The flattery is nice of course, but a lot of us feel so green that we start getting worried if we can live up to the expectations. We started our academic seminars and got our first homework assignment. We were assigned partners and a bill to research and then we read legislative analysts and interviewed people who took part in the bill’s life. In my case, I was assigned to work on Assembly Bill 9: the Ignition Interlock Device. This is basically a breathalyzer that is put in people’s cars after they are convicted of DUIs that they have to blow in to for their car to turn on. We got access to the author’s (Feuer D-Los Angeles) Chief of Staff and were able to interview her for half an hour. It was great and she was so helpful.
There is also tons of teambuilding during the program. During the first week we went to the Sacramento State Aquatic Center with all the fellows from the other program. We did mostly water races and had a blast. We also had a reception at a local bar with former fellows. Some of the former fellows worked still worked in the Legislature and were actively courting us. Again flattering, yet nerve-wracking. There is definitely a community of former fellows that look out for one another and especially for new fellows. It is a built-in, exclusive network that is one of the best parts of the program.
Week one was great, and I was so pooped by Saturday. We had so much fun and I learned a ton.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Info regarding the academic seminars
So in my quest to make this fellowship less opaque to future potential Assembly Fellows I am posting the most recent piece of correspondence we got about the Assembly Fellowship. I am really excited to start the fellowship and have been waiting for several months for more information of what to expect.
This memo goes over the first part of the fellowship: the seminars. In this period, approximately the first 6 weeks of the fellowship, students are in seminars where they do group projects, give presentations, and moreover learn the ins and outs of the California State Government.
There are three books we have to buy and read before the fellowship starts. They are:
1. Power and Politics in California (9th edition) DeBow/Syer
2. The Third House- Lobbyists, Power and Money in Sacramento Michael/Walters
3. A Party of One- Anrold Schwarzenegger adn the Rise of the Independent Voter Weintraub
I am getting pretty excited. Some of the Northern California based future fellows are meeting up this week in Sacramento.
Here is the memo in its entirety (with the professor's name and contact info omitted):
8/20/09
Memo To - 2009-2010 Assembly Fellows
From – Omited, Academic Advisor
RE: Information and General Comments Regarding the Upcoming Academic Seminars
Hello to All – PLEASE READ THIS MEMO CAREFULLY
First, I’d like to echo Consuelo’s message of congratulations on your selection to the Assembly Fellowship. You have prevailed over very strong competition. You also are being given a unique opportunity that, I believe, will benefit you for the rest of your life.
Our first meeting is less than 2 months away. I look forward to meeting with you again, and to your contributions to the academic seminar component of the Assembly Fellowship.
You’re about to enter a dynamic legislative environment that is often a roller coaster of activity and emotions. It’s a structural, policy and political environment that is often driven by the quest for power, strong partisanship and the complex “game” of politics.
The Assembly Fellowship is named after one of California’s seminal political figures, Jess Unruh. Speaker Unruh was perhaps most famous for coining the phrase “money is the mother’s milk of politics.” To this end I also want you to familiarize yourself with the basics of California law as it relates to campaign finance and lobbying activities.
Consuelo’s Memo contained several websites and resources that I would like you to peruse. The California Voter Foundation, www.calvoter.org is especially valuable with a wide variety of government related links. Also, it is very important to develop your understanding of legislative terms and the fundamentals of the legislative process contained in the www.leginfo.ca.gov website.
In addition I would like you visit the Secretary of State’s website, www.ss.ca.gov, specifically the Campaign and Lobbying Information link, and the Fair Political Practices Commission site, www.fppc.ca.gov. Finally, anyone who desires to keep current on California politics and policy is a daily reader of www.rtumble.com and www.capitolweekly.net.
In additional here are blogs to obtain partisan perspectives.
http://www.flashreport.org/blog
http://www.camajorityreport.com/
Fall Academic Component – Government 294A
The fall component of your Fellowship emphasizes your orientation to the legislative process. The academic component is also driven by this theme. There will be 2 papers required of you during the fall seminar. The first will be a legislative analysis and oral presentation of specific bills that I assign to you. The second paper will require you to choose an executive department to profile. It also contains an oral presentation component. You will receive a course syllabus at our first meeting.
Both fall seminar papers and oral presentations are researched and written in partnership with another Assembly Fellow. I will assign you a partner at our first meeting for the legislative analysis paper. This means that partnerships will often mix republicans and democrats. Partnerships may change for the second paper, depending on your policy and executive department interest.
Please Note – I emphasize quality research, writing with clarity and purpose, and aggressive research and documentation.
Your fall orientation component will also include opportunities to meet with lobbyists and discuss issues such as campaign finance, term limits, and the initiative process.
Remember, this is a graduate seminar, not a lecture. You will be required to come prepared and engage in constructive debate and commentary as we explore various issues that relate to the legislative process, politics and policies of state government. I also want to emphasize that I expect graduate level discourse that reflects your partisanship and passion, however, also respects the opinions, partisanship and passion of other Assembly Fellows.
Below are 3 texts that I have chosen to help prepare you for your Fellowship and the academic seminar. Please recognize the Fellows are selected from a variety of backgrounds and undergraduate majors. Some already have strong foundations in California politics and policy. However, others may not be government majors. These texts are intended to provide you an overview of California government. They are:
Power and Politics in California – DeBow/Syer – 9th
ISBN: 0321355997
The Third House – Lobbyists, Power and Money in Sacramento - Michael/Walters – ISBN 0-87772-397-4
A Party of One – Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Rise of the Independent Voter – Weintraub – ISBN – 978-0-9794822-2-9
You will need to purchase these texts and read them BEFORE our first meeting. Also, bring them to our first seminar meeting.
Seminar Attendance
I want to take this opportunity to emphasize that attendance at all academic seminars is mandatory. Aside from sudden illness or accidents, I expect each of you at every seminar. You are required to be on time, contribute to discussions and not leave early unless you have made prior arrangements with me. Roll is taken at each seminar.
If you have a compelling need to be excused from seminar, there is a simple mandatory protocol to follow. It is:
1. First, contact me as soon as possible to make your request.
2. As a matter of courtesy, also contact Consuelo to let her know.
In the past, a few fellows have felt that they only need to leave a message on my voicemail, or the Director’s, that they won’t be attending. Please remember that this approach is not acceptable. You will certainly find me to be reasonable. Simply make the request and I will advise you immediately.
The key element here is communication. Keep the lines flowing with Consuelo and me. Both of us have a strong desire to make your Fellowship as enjoyable and rewarding as possible.
Again, congratulations. I’m excited, and I look forward to your arrival in Sacramento.
This memo goes over the first part of the fellowship: the seminars. In this period, approximately the first 6 weeks of the fellowship, students are in seminars where they do group projects, give presentations, and moreover learn the ins and outs of the California State Government.
There are three books we have to buy and read before the fellowship starts. They are:
1. Power and Politics in California (9th edition) DeBow/Syer
2. The Third House- Lobbyists, Power and Money in Sacramento Michael/Walters
3. A Party of One- Anrold Schwarzenegger adn the Rise of the Independent Voter Weintraub
I am getting pretty excited. Some of the Northern California based future fellows are meeting up this week in Sacramento.
Here is the memo in its entirety (with the professor's name and contact info omitted):
8/20/09
Memo To - 2009-2010 Assembly Fellows
From – Omited, Academic Advisor
RE: Information and General Comments Regarding the Upcoming Academic Seminars
Hello to All – PLEASE READ THIS MEMO CAREFULLY
First, I’d like to echo Consuelo’s message of congratulations on your selection to the Assembly Fellowship. You have prevailed over very strong competition. You also are being given a unique opportunity that, I believe, will benefit you for the rest of your life.
Our first meeting is less than 2 months away. I look forward to meeting with you again, and to your contributions to the academic seminar component of the Assembly Fellowship.
You’re about to enter a dynamic legislative environment that is often a roller coaster of activity and emotions. It’s a structural, policy and political environment that is often driven by the quest for power, strong partisanship and the complex “game” of politics.
The Assembly Fellowship is named after one of California’s seminal political figures, Jess Unruh. Speaker Unruh was perhaps most famous for coining the phrase “money is the mother’s milk of politics.” To this end I also want you to familiarize yourself with the basics of California law as it relates to campaign finance and lobbying activities.
Consuelo’s Memo contained several websites and resources that I would like you to peruse. The California Voter Foundation, www.calvoter.org is especially valuable with a wide variety of government related links. Also, it is very important to develop your understanding of legislative terms and the fundamentals of the legislative process contained in the www.leginfo.ca.gov website.
In addition I would like you visit the Secretary of State’s website, www.ss.ca.gov, specifically the Campaign and Lobbying Information link, and the Fair Political Practices Commission site, www.fppc.ca.gov. Finally, anyone who desires to keep current on California politics and policy is a daily reader of www.rtumble.com and www.capitolweekly.net.
In additional here are blogs to obtain partisan perspectives.
http://www.flashreport.org/blog
http://www.camajorityreport.com/
Fall Academic Component – Government 294A
The fall component of your Fellowship emphasizes your orientation to the legislative process. The academic component is also driven by this theme. There will be 2 papers required of you during the fall seminar. The first will be a legislative analysis and oral presentation of specific bills that I assign to you. The second paper will require you to choose an executive department to profile. It also contains an oral presentation component. You will receive a course syllabus at our first meeting.
Both fall seminar papers and oral presentations are researched and written in partnership with another Assembly Fellow. I will assign you a partner at our first meeting for the legislative analysis paper. This means that partnerships will often mix republicans and democrats. Partnerships may change for the second paper, depending on your policy and executive department interest.
Please Note – I emphasize quality research, writing with clarity and purpose, and aggressive research and documentation.
Your fall orientation component will also include opportunities to meet with lobbyists and discuss issues such as campaign finance, term limits, and the initiative process.
Remember, this is a graduate seminar, not a lecture. You will be required to come prepared and engage in constructive debate and commentary as we explore various issues that relate to the legislative process, politics and policies of state government. I also want to emphasize that I expect graduate level discourse that reflects your partisanship and passion, however, also respects the opinions, partisanship and passion of other Assembly Fellows.
Below are 3 texts that I have chosen to help prepare you for your Fellowship and the academic seminar. Please recognize the Fellows are selected from a variety of backgrounds and undergraduate majors. Some already have strong foundations in California politics and policy. However, others may not be government majors. These texts are intended to provide you an overview of California government. They are:
Power and Politics in California – DeBow/Syer – 9th
ISBN: 0321355997
The Third House – Lobbyists, Power and Money in Sacramento - Michael/Walters – ISBN 0-87772-397-4
A Party of One – Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Rise of the Independent Voter – Weintraub – ISBN – 978-0-9794822-2-9
You will need to purchase these texts and read them BEFORE our first meeting. Also, bring them to our first seminar meeting.
Seminar Attendance
I want to take this opportunity to emphasize that attendance at all academic seminars is mandatory. Aside from sudden illness or accidents, I expect each of you at every seminar. You are required to be on time, contribute to discussions and not leave early unless you have made prior arrangements with me. Roll is taken at each seminar.
If you have a compelling need to be excused from seminar, there is a simple mandatory protocol to follow. It is:
1. First, contact me as soon as possible to make your request.
2. As a matter of courtesy, also contact Consuelo to let her know.
In the past, a few fellows have felt that they only need to leave a message on my voicemail, or the Director’s, that they won’t be attending. Please remember that this approach is not acceptable. You will certainly find me to be reasonable. Simply make the request and I will advise you immediately.
The key element here is communication. Keep the lines flowing with Consuelo and me. Both of us have a strong desire to make your Fellowship as enjoyable and rewarding as possible.
Again, congratulations. I’m excited, and I look forward to your arrival in Sacramento.
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