DON THOMPSON
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Two thousand guests have been invited to help celebrate Wednesday’s swearing-in of the first Latino to head the California Senate in more than a century.
Democratic Sen. Kevin de Leon of Los Angeles is breaking with tradition to hold his ceremony at Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles.
Previous ceremonies took place at the state Capitol and have been relatively low-key, according to the California State Library’s research bureau. The invitation lists the event as the “Inauguration of Kevin de Leon,” using language usually reserved for presidents and governors.
The California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation, which receives donations from special interests seeking influence in the Legislature, is picking up the estimated $50,000 tab.
About 200 officeholders also have been invited to witness his swearing-in as Senate president pro tempore.
The party comes during a year when two Democratic state senators were suspended after being charged in separate federal corruption cases, a third resigned after being sentenced to jail for perjury, and a fourth is facing DUI charges after a night of drinking that included late-night revelry with Latino caucus members inside the Capitol.
“I would think in light of the last couple of years, the leadership of the Senate would be extra careful not to be engaging in excess of any kind,” said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. “This is not a coronation. I think what people want today is serious, workmanlike approaches to government.”
Latino caucus spokesman Roger Salazar disputed the perception that the event is too elaborate.
“This being the first Latino pro tem in 130 years, this was worthy of being underwritten by the caucus and also worthy of celebration,” he said. “This is an historic event.”
De Leon spokesman Anthony Reyes said the senator is participating in other community events as well.
“It’s a really happy event down here,” Reyes said. “I know Sacramento doesn’t see it that way.”
De Leon’s counterpart in the 80-member state Assembly, Democrat Toni Atkins of San Diego, was sworn in inside the Assembly chamber earlier this year. The first lesbian to hold the post celebrated with a gospel choir, a gay and lesbian color guard, and her family.
Outgoing President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg held a low-key swearing-in ceremony inside the Capitol when he assumed leadership of the 40-member Senate six years ago.
Tickets to de Leon’s swearing-in are free and have been distributed to community groups, activists and others. The state attorney general, insurance commissioner and state superintendent of public instruction all plan to watch as de Leon is sworn in by California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye.
After the ceremony, guests can attend a reception in a blocked-off street outside the concert hall, with food and drinks paid for by the caucus.
“While it is an inauguration, it also is a fairly down-to-earth one when you really think about it,” Salazar said.
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