Assemblymember Gregg Hart and Santa Barbara Supervisor Laura Capps Sworn In
Both Elected Representatives Officially Begin Their Duties
In the political equivalent of musical chairs, former county supervisor Gregg Hart was sworn in Monday as the newest Assemblymember to represent Santa Barbara. His son and his 92-year-old mother were in attendance. Tuesday morning, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Laura Capps — via press release — to replace Hart as the newest 2nd District County Supervisor. She was officially sworn in early Tuesday morning, just before the supervisors began their weekly meeting.
Hart was sworn in along with 36 other newly elected members, making this year’s class one of the largest ever. In addition, Hart joins a state legislature that boasts 49 women members. That’s a historic high. Five years ago, women made up just 22 percent of the 120 House and Senate seats.
Hart’s first day was spent in special session convened by Governor Newsom to impose financial penalties — not to be confused with taxes, which would require a two-thirds majority — on oil companies engaged in price gouging at the gas pump. Newsom’s lack of specificity as to what exactly constitutes “windfall profits” by the oil industry — some companies reported a 500 percent increase in earnings — and how such predatory practices can be untangled from a host of other factors that influence the price of gas drew much critical commentary from the oil industry itself. All the key details, said Hart, will be explored after the legislature meets for its regular session this January. “I am excited to learn from these leaders and have no doubt that together we will deliver results for the people of California,” he said.
