Plum trash job

Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Every few years, garbage suddenly becomes glamorous when a coveted slot opens on the state Integrated Waste Management Board. You'd never suspect that tire recycling and biosolids would generate such interest, but when a state job offers a six-figure salary for meeting once a month, it becomes a hot ticket for termed-out legislators and others with connections.

Two slots are now open, and so Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and state Senate Pro Tem Don Perata are being heavily lobbied to hand out this plum to someone or another.

Beginning with former Gov. Jerry Brown, the Assembly speaker and Senate president pro tem have slowly gained appointment powers to executive boards that should be controlled by the governor, with legislative confirmation. To maximize patronage, legislative leaders need to keep these salaries high, even if the work performed doesn't always justify it.

The Integrated Waste Management Board serves an important function. California has cut its trash in half in 17 years and must continue to maximize recycling and minimize "garbage" _ much of which is recoverable materials _ sent to landfills and incinerators. Nunez and Perata now have a chance to appoint advocates who will stay true to this vision.

Two prospects are Sen. Wes Chesbro and Assemblywoman Fran Pavley. Both are termed-out legislators who have strong environmental credentials and expertise in recycling and waste management. In the past, we've raised objections to hacks serving on these boards simply because they were lawmakers. In this case, Chesbro and Pavley are more than qualified, and should be given a serious look.