Hertzberg to Lead State Senate

Sen. Robert Hertzberg of Van Nuys will become majority leader of the California Senate. Hertzberg said he looks forward to working with the Democratic Party’s super majority to pass legislation in Sacramento. “For as much as our Democratic majority has been able to accomplish, from building up a Rainy Day Fund to leading the way on climate change, we must continue to push the envelope,” he said in a statement. Earlier in his career, Hertzberg served two years as Speaker of the California Assembly. In addition to Hertzberg, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins named other Valley-region officials to chairmanships with an impact on the economy, including Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada-Flintridge), who will chair the Appropriations Committee; Sen. Henry Stern (D-Canoga Park) to chair the Natural Resources and Water Committee; and Sen. Scott Wilk (D-Santa Clarita), who will be vice chair of the Agriculture, Education, Governmental Organization and Rules committees.