State Sen. Dean Florez is the kind of politician that you don't want to anger. Assembly Member Nicole Parra, D-Hanford, got in a spat with him and Florez ended her father's political career by running one of his aides against longtime Kern County Supervisor Pete Parra. It's a classic Florez manuever. He doesn't get mad (well, he actually does), he gets even.
Florez is stubborn and smart, a combination that has taken him far in the political game. Now he's turned his sights on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
OK, I know what you're saying. This isn't a county supervisor. Schwarzenegger is a mega-celebrity, and one of the most recognizable politicians in the world. A state senator from Shafter doesn't stand a chance against The Terminator. You may be right, but we'll see.
Florez is still upset with the governor for last week's remarks about rural legislators. Schwarzenegger said they are a bunch of hicks who need to be taken on junkets by special interests so they can see big-city airports and 10-lane freeways. Florez says he's proud of his home town, Shafter, which has a population of 14,000, and students there, and in the rest of the state, must pass the exit examination to get their diplomas.
Florez has introduced a resolution calling on the governor to take the high school exit exam.
"Given the governor’s distasteful comments, what’s unanswered is whether he can make the grade," Florez said.
The governor's office said Florez's resolution is a stunt that they don't take seriously. But don't think Florez is going to let this go. Florez is planning right now on other ways he can embarrass Schwarzenegger. You don't really think the governor would have a problem passing the exit exam do you?
Maybe all the legislators, as well as the governor, should have to take -- and pass -- the high school exit exam before they get paid. Three strikes and they're out if they can't pass it on the third try. This would beat recall elections all to heck.
Meanwhile, Florez is planning his campaign for lieutenant governor in two years. You can bet he'll be using Schwarzenegger as a foil between now and 2010. If the governor doesn't believe it, he should call Pete Parra.
Shouldn't Florez be working on something else more important like not being able to drive a car with a parrot on your shoulder?