Arambula returns

So it was a shorter trip to 'the doghouse' than anyone expected. Late this afternoon, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez reappointed Assemblyman Juan Arambula as chair of the Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy. “Assemblymember Arambula and I have mutually agreed that he is the best qualified person to chair the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy,” said Speaker Núñez. “There is important work to be done in California on a host of economic development issues, particularly for the Central Valley.” Earlier this month, Nunez had yanked the chairmanship from Arambula after the Fresno lawmaker refused to support the Assembly Democrat-backed bond package. Arambula was disappointed the bond package did not contain provisions for water storage in the Central Valley. He was the only Democrat to abstain from all four bond votes (one other Democrat was not present). After the vote, Nunez withdrew Arambula's chairmanship and moved him to the smallest office in the building, squeezed on the fifth floor in what is known as "the doghouse". Despite the new chairmanship, he remains in the postage-stamp sized 391 square feet office. “I look forward to continuing the important work of the Jobs Committee,” said Arambula. “I appreciate Speaker Nunez's trust and support. We will work together to strengthen California's economy and create good jobs for the residents of the San Joaquin Valley.”