Hertzberg's Ambitious Agenda

Robert Hertzberg was unanimously elected as Speaker of the State Assembly this April while pledging to support planning issues and the New Economy.

1 minute read

August 27, 2000, 7:00 AM PDT

By Ali Valenzuela


When Robert Hertzberg was unanimously elected as Speaker of the State Assembly this April, he pledged to restore the Legislature's capacity to support the New Economy. Since then, he's unveiled plans for a new standing committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy; formed two new Speaker's Commissions--one charged with reforming the initiative process and the other focusing on regionalism; and created a new training institute for freshman members of the Legislature and their staff. He also just appointed new committee chairs, breaking tradition in order to assure his colleagues would be ready to do the people's business on the first day of the new legislative session this fall. These efforts are part of the Speaker's overarching goal to rise above the daily grind and assess how well California's government is working--and how it can work better.

Thanks to Ali Valenzuela

Friday, August 25, 2000 in The Metro Investment Report

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing