Senate Leader Begins New Term By Laying Off 39 Staffers

SACRAMENTO (AP) — Citing budget conditions, the new leader of the state Senate has begun restructuring the chamber's administrative staff by laying off dozens of employees.

Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon announced Friday that the Senate cut 39 staff positions.

The layoffs come just a month after the Los Angeles Democrat took over as leader amid a nepotism scandal within the Senate's administrative staff.

The Senate is without a personnel director after Dina Hidalgo retired in September following complaints that she abused her authority by hiring friends and relatives.

Notices went to staffers responsible for writing bill analyses, within a policy research arm and in an office services unit.

Danny Alvarez, who recently replaced longtime chief administrator Greg Schmidt, says the positions were eliminated to save money as part of reorganization.

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