Robert Hertzberg

Infobox Officeholder
name = Robert M. Hertzberg

---

order2 = 64th Speaker of the
California State Assembly
term_start2 = April 13, 2000
term_end2 = February 6, 2002
predecessor2 = Antonio Villaraigosa
successor2 = Herb J. Wesson, Jr.
birth_date = birth date and age|1954|11|19
birth_place = Los Angeles, Califonia
death_date =
death_place =
constituency =
party = Democratic
spouse = Dr. Cynthia Telles
profession = Lawyer, Green Entrepreneur
religion =


footnotes =

Robert Myles Hertzberg (born November 19, 1954 in Los Angeles, California) is a lawyer, businessman and community activist who served in the California Legislature from 1996-2002. In the State Assembly, he represented more than 400,000 constituents in the San Fernando Valley communities of Los Angeles. Prior to his election, Mr. Hertzberg spent many years as a community activist volunteering to help dozens of successful candidates for public office, from a wide variety of many communities, often serving as treasurer or campaign chair.

He was twice elected unanimously Speaker of the State Assembly, and served two terms.California Political Almanac, 6th Ed., edited by A.G. Block and Claudia Buck, 1999, pp.285-87. In California, the Assembly Districts contain over 400,000 residents. The list of Los Angeles communities in the 40th Assembly District include: North Hollywood, Studio City, Van Nuys and Woodland Hills.] Since leaving the State Assembly in 2002, Hertzberg has pursued a three-part approach to his career, involving:

a) public service, including a close race for Mayor of Los Angeles in 2005 and assisting numerous community groups and public policy institutions;

b) his successful law practice at the international firm Mayer Brown LLP; [http://www.mayerbrown.com/lawyers/profile.asp?hubbardid=H373363674]

c) entrepreneurship and innovation in the fields of alternative energy and environmental protection.

Hertzberg has been described by Dean Jack Knott of the University of Southern California as "working feverishly on issues of renewable energy, climate change and the many challenges which are associated with these endeavors."Robert Hertzberg Commencement Address to the University of Southern California School of Policy, Planning and Development.]

Upon retiring from the State Assembly due to term limits in 2002, Hertzberg immediately co-founded Solar Integrated Technology in South Central Los Angeles, with two partners. This would be the first plant producing renewable energy in Los Angeles, located very close to where the 1992 riots started. [http://www.kcet.org/lifeandtimes/archives/200307/20030714.php] Solar Integrated became successful and in 2005, was the Wall Street Journal recipient of the "Innovation Award" in the Energy and Power sector. [http://www.solarintegrated.com/PR_Tech_Award.html] Solar Integrated was admitted to the Alternative Investment Exchange in May 2004, and remains a publicly traded company today. (GB: SIT))

In 2006, Hertzberg and his longtime friend, Edward J. Stevenson, formed a new renewable venture in the United Kingdom where government policies were much friendlier to the development of renewable energy, founding Renewable Capital LLP, an investment firm in London to help finance alternative energy ventures ('leading-edge entrepreneurs") [http://www.renewablecapital.co.uk/] Hertzberg told the New York Times: "California does have this great image, but Europe still is much greener than anywhere in the United States, by several orders of magnitude. The financial markets and those who control the big funds understand the importance of renewable energy." [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/23/business/worldbusiness/23venture.html?n=Top/News/Science/Topics/Solar%20Energy] Thereafter Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Hertzberg Co-Founded G24 Innovations Limited, a manufacturing facility of advanced solar technology in Cardiff, Wales. [http://www.g24i.com/pages,other-media,38.html] The British Broadcasting Company praised Hertzberg and G24I for "thinking big" on ways to solve energy and environmental problems. [http://www.g24i.com/news,the-independent-bob-hertzberg-who-needs-the-sun,13.html]

In a G24 profile, the International Independent quoted Hertzberg: "These cynics are the same who thought television or the telephone was not going to work. This is a revolution. It's here to stay.... It's the civil rights issue of our generation. It's the biggest thing we can do. It's part of who I am." [http://www.g24i.com/]

G24i produces a new type of lightweight and flexible solar cell that generates power in low, ambient and even indoor conditions. G24i has won numerous awards in recent years: in January 2008, CNBC European Business chose the company as one of its "Top 100 Low-Carbon Pioneers and The Guardian (UK) named Hertzberg as one of the "50 People Who Could Save the Planet." G24 is also the recipient of the "NESTA Rushlight Award" (for leading British achievement in the environmental field) as well as winning the World Bank's "Award for Lighting Africa."http://www.g24i.com/pages,awards-and-recognition,43.html]

Most recently, G24i won the prestigious "Business Commitment to the Environment Leadership Award" and Prince Charles invited G24i Board Chairman Hertzberg to join the "Business Leader's Group on Climate Change." Additional awards include: "Welsh Innovative Company of the Year 2008," and one of 12 "Force for Good Pioneers" Award.

On the CBS Evening News, Katie Couric stated in a news profile that Hertzberg knew "the difference between talking about global warming and actually doing something about it."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKpFWQoqoWg]

The Los Angeles Times named Hertzberg as "One of the Most Influential People in Southern California." In 2005, Hertzberg ran a strong race for Mayor of Los Angeles, just missing ousting incumbent Mayor James Hahn from the run-off by 1%. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_mayoral_election%2C_2005] Hertzberg subsequently endorsed the eventual winner, Antonio Villaraigosa and served as his Transition Team Chair.

In endorsing both Hertzberg and Villaraigosa for the two-person run-off, the Los Angeles Times said of Hertzberg, "He is a high-velocity wonk; he loves BIG ideas, and will flesh out every one of them for you if you give him the time." [http://lavoice.org/article560.html?POSTNUKESID=1c63db3f82535a9a87796baaf0dd0a4c] When the Los Angeles Daily News endorsed him, they commented: "Hertzberg has relentless energy and indefatigable energy...he has a reputation for integrity and and perseverance."http://keynotespeakers.com/speaker_detail.php?speakerid=4621]

The web site "googlism.com" said that "Bob Hertzberg is one of the most talented and respected legislators ever to come out of the California Assembly." []

Early life

Robert Myles Hertzberg was born on November 19, 1954 in Los Angeles, California to Harrison W. Hertzberg and Antoinette "Bunny" Taussig Hertzberg. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Redlands with a Bachelor's of Art double major in History and English in 1976. While in college, he wrote a 400-page handbook, entitled A Commonsense Approach to English. Three years, later Hertzberg earned his Juris Doctor from Hastings College of the Law at the University of California in San Francisco. He has been an active member of the California State Bar since 1979.http://www.mayerbrown.com/lawyers/profile.asp?hubbardid=H373363674]

Legal career and early political work

After graduating law school in 1979, Hertzberg was an associate at the Beverly Hills law firm of Fulop, Rolston, Burns, & McKittrick. In 1983, he co-authored a manual on real estate law, California Lis Pendens Practice, published by the University of California, with a Second Edition eleven years later. [http://www.mayerbrown.com/lawyers/profile.asp?hubbardid=H373363674] He was then a full partner in several small Los Angeles-area law firms until running for the State Assembly in 1996. In 2007, the Los Angeles Business Journal named Hertzberg in the article "Best of the Bar: Who's Who In L.A. LAW."

Hertzberg's first political job was a driver for Lt. Governor Mervyn Dymally in 1973 and 1974, which ended in Dymally's election as the first African-American Lt. Governor in California history. He then did a part-time stint as an advance man in the White House under President Carter in 1977-80. From the 1970s through the 1990s, he worked for numerous California Democrats, including LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina, U.S Representatives Dennis Cardoza (Campaign Chair), Brad Sherman, Julian Dixon, Xavier Becerra (Campaign Co-chair), Lucy Roybal-Allard & Hilda Solis, LA City Council Members Mike Hernandez (Co-chair) & Herb Wesson (Chair), and also State Assembly members Antonio Villaraigosa (Campaign Treasurer), Hersh Rosenthal, and Richard Alatorre, [http://articles.latimes.com/2005/feb/10/local/me-hertzbergprofile10] among many others.

Election to State Assembly

In 1996, Democratic Assemblywoman Barbara Friedman of the 40th Assembly District encompassing North Hollywood, Studio City, Van Nuys and Woodland Hills in the "San Fernando Valley" section of Los Angeles was forced to retire due to term limits. Hertzberg ran for the seat and was opposed in the Democratic primary in March of 1996 by Fran Oschin, an aide to Los Angeles Councilman Hal Bernson. According to the California Political Almanac, Hertzberg "racked up a sheaf of endorsements and raised well over $200,000 for the primary." He easily won the primary by 72-28%. In the November general election, Hertzberg rolled to an easy 59-31% victory over Republican Ron Culver. Hertzberg's know-how and connections from over 100 local campaigns gave him the edge over the less-experienced Assembly Members who were coming into the Legislature due to the new "term limits" law. In 1998 and 2000, Hertzberg was re-elected by successively greater margins, 69% and 70%, respectively. [California Secretary of State: Statement of the Vote, November 1998 General Election. http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_elections.htm] California Secretary of State: Statement of the Vote, November 2000 General Election]

peaker of the Assembly - 2000-2002

On April 13, 2000, Robert Hertzberg was unanimously elected by a voice vote as the 64th Speaker of the California State Assembly. In 1996, when Hertzberg was first elected to the Assembly, the Democrats had 38 of 80 seats. By 2000, when Speaker Hertzberg was directing the Assembly Democratic campaigns, his party was up to 50 seats and he was the last Speaker to gain seats. As Speaker, his principle priorities were

a) passing bills on alternative energy and protecting the environment;

b) public safety as with anti-gang efforts such as the CLEAR program;

c) improving the integrity of the legislative process through new ethics rules;

d) enhancing legislative oversight, which helped lead to the investigation that caused the resignation of Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush on misconduct charges; and

e) establishing the Capitol Institute to better train legislators and their employees.

The non-partisan California Journal rated Hertzberg as the best Member in the Assembly for being a successful coalition-builder, for working the hardest and having "serious brain wattage.""The Minnies," by A.G. Block, California Journal, July 2002, p.8. "Legislators of the Year," California Journal, June 2000.]

During his time in the Assembly, Hertzberg helped open up discussion with local business leaders, sponsored legislation to make state government more accessible to the public via the Internet, to make it easier to vote, to create more "Criminal Scene Investigations (CSI) laboratories, to cut $1.5 billion in taxes, and worked with Senate President Pro Tem John Burton & State Senator Deborah Ortiz to increase funds to revamp public education through the "Cal-Grant" Program. [http://www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?id=568] [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/99-00/bill/sen/sb_1601-1650/sb_1644_cfa_20000829_112431_sen_floor.html] The Cal-Grants Program was "hailed by educators as a turning point that will give poor students unprecedented access to California's colleges and universities" and Hertzberg commented upon the bill's passage, "California is back." [http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/09_08_00/calgrant.html] (Hertzberg believed deeply in community colleges, seeing them as the key to growth in "New Economy"). Under Hertzberg's Speakership, the state also spent much needed money on fixing public transportation, and Hertzberg co-sponsored the legislation creating CLEAR, an anti-gang program, which Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley called "the most successful gang prevention program in California history." [ http://keynotespeakers.com/speaker_detail.php?speakerid=4621] (More specifics are listed immediately below).

Another success for Hertzberg was the bipartisan 2001 redistricting. [http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/newcomframeset.asp?committee=7] In previous decades like the 1970s and 1990s, the remap process ended up in the California Supreme Court because the two parties could not reach agreement on a plan. Working closely both with the Republicans and Democratic House Leader (and now House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi, Hertzberg was able to craft a redistricting plan that passed the Assembly by 71-8 and the State Senate by 40-0. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sb_802&sess=0102&house=B&author=committee_on_elections_and_reapportionment] The plan maintained Democratic control of the State Legislature and generated less controversy than other plans.

in the hotly-contested election of 2000.

On the issue of international terrorism, Hertzberg has shown tremendous foresight: A full two years before September 11, 2001, Hertzberg was issuing warnings and sponsoring legislation to thwart terrorism. (See AB140 below). After the attacks of September 11, 2001, Speaker Hertzberg temporarily shut down the State Assembly and created the Bi-partisan Legislative Task Force on Terrorism to combat potential threats to California's food and water supplies. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B02E4DC173CF936A35753C1A9679C8B63]

His longest-lasting accomplishment was being the architect of a compromise that allowed numerous school bond measures to go forward. His successful negotiations with State Senator Betty Karnette (D-Long Beach) allowed the State Legislature to break a decade-long legislative logjam and place school bonds on the 1998 and 2000 ballots. In 2002, he sponsored another school bond, AB16, to place an additional $25.35 billion worth of school bonds on the ballot in November 2002 and then successfully campaigned to pass the bond. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_16&sess=0102&house=B&author=hertzberg] Using the framework designed by Hertzberg, California was able to pass over $70 billion in school bonds, the largest bond measures anywhere.

Legislative Accomplishments:

AB206 - "Citizens' Complaint Act." (1997) Requires state agencies, with web sites, to provide a form on the web site for individuals to register complaints or comments regarding the agency's performance. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_206&sess=9798&house=B&author=hertzberg]

AB513 - Meth Sentence Enhancement (1997) increases criminal penalties for selling methamphetamine. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_513&sess=9798&house=B&author=hertzberg]

AB853 - Gang Prevention Programs (1997) establishes the Community Law Enforcement and Recovery (CLEAR) Demonstration Project to combat gangs in Los Angeles County. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/97-98/bill/asm/ab_0851-0900/ab_853_cfa_19970909_231136_asm_floor.html]

AB856 - CA Witness Protection Program (1997) creates a state witness protection program run by the Attorney General. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_856&sess=9798&house=B&author=hertzberg]

AB880 - Elder Financial Abuse (1998) expands criminal penalties for financial abuse of the elderly and dependent populations. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/97-98/bill/asm/ab_0851-0900/ab_880_cfa_19980820_114016_asm_floor.html]

AB2011 - Gun control (1998) requires that a serial number must be on a non-antique modern gun as a condition for transfer of ownership and requires law enforcement tracing of all seized guns. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/97-98/bill/asm/ab_2001-2050/ab_2011_cfa_19980825_230618_asm_floor.html]

AB2351 - Electronic threats (1998) adds threats made by electric communications, such as the Internet, to the list of prohibitions. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/97-98/bill/asm/ab_2351-2400/ab_2351_cfa_19980821_175756_sen_floor.html]

AB39 - Contraceptives (1999) Requires health care plans to pay for contraceptive services. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/99-00/bill/asm/ab_0001-0050/ab_39_cfa_19990908_073937_asm_floor.html]

AB140 - Anti-Terrorism (1999) makes illegal the possession, use, manufacture, attempt or threat to use weapons of mass destruction. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/99-00/bill/asm/ab_0101-0150/ab_140_cfa_19990528_142558_asm_floor.html]

AB185 - San Fernando Valley re-organization (1999) allows the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles to request a citywide vote on secession. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/99-00/bill/asm/ab_0151-0200/ab_185_cfa_20000825_080724_asm_floor.html]

AB187 - Grant Information (1999) allows state agencies to make available on their web sites a list of all grants administered by that agency. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/99-00/bill/asm/ab_0151-0200/ab_187_cfa_19990824_163324_sen_floor.html]

AB925 - Conservators (1999) creates a Statewide Registry for conservators and guardians. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/99-00/bill/asm/ab_0901-0950/ab_925_cfa_19990827_193238_asm_floor.html]

AB1094 - Voter Registration (2000) reduces the deadline for registering to vote from 29 to 14 days before the election. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/99-00/bill/asm/ab_1051-1100/ab_1094_cfa_20000829_113636_asm_floor.html]

AB1391 - Forensic Laboratories (1999) authorizes the construction and remodeling of forensic laboratories. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/99-00/bill/asm/ab_1351-1400/ab_1391_cfa_19990917_173333_asm_floor.html]

AB1473 - Infrastructure plans (1999) requires the Governor to submit annual five-year construction spending plans. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_1473&sess=9900&house=B&author=hertzberg]

AB1665 - Cal-OSHA Funding (1999) extends the funding for the California Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration inspection program. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/99-00/bill/asm/ab_1651-1700/ab_1655_cfa_19990825_211402_asm_floor.html]

AB1717 - Gun Control (2000) requires the Department of Justice to evaluate ballistic identification systems and report back to the Legislature. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/99-00/bill/asm/ab_1701-1750/ab_1717_cfa_20000819_132529_asm_floor.html]

ACR181 - California History Month (2000) designates September as "California History Month. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/99-00/bill/asm/ab_0151-0200/acr_181_cfa_20000824_211846_sen_floor.html]

AB16 - Education Bonds (2002) authorized spending of $25.35 billion in education bond funds. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_0001-0050/ab_16_cfa_20020403_134243_sen_floor.html]

AB56 - Voting Modernization Bonds (2001) authorizes a $200 million bond to update and repair California's voting equipment.http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_0051-0100/ab_56_cfa_20010926_152917_sen_floor.html]

AB423 - Farm Labor Contracts (2001) enhances enforcement of farm labor contracts and the payment of back wages owed. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_0401-0450/ab_423_cfa_20010720_003753_asm_floor.html]

AB669 - State Non-emergency phone number (2001) authorizes local public agencies to establish a "311" non-emergency phone number. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_0651-0700/ab_669_cfa_20020906_161316_asm_floor.html]

AB865 - Credit Cards (2001) requires credit card companies to detail the time and cost of paying off credit card debts by only making the monthly minimum payments. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_0851-0900/ab_865_cfa_20020116_162803_sen_comm.html]

AB935 - Public Interest Attorneys (2001) helps lawyers who work in the public interest or indigent defendant field to pay off their student loans. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_0901-0950/ab_935_cfa_20010913_035803_asm_floor.html]

AB1657 - LA County Healthcare (2001) requires the State Auditor to evaluate the financial capacity of the LA County Department of Health Services to meet its responsibilities. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_1651-1700/ab_1657_cfa_20010711_110219_sen_floor.html]

AB1781 - Instructional materials funding (2002) provides funding for school districts to purchase instructional materials. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_1751-1800/ab_1781_cfa_20020829_175416_asm_floor.html]

AB1838 - Terrorism - W.M.D. (2002) makes use of weapons of mass destruction murder in the first degree and a capital crime. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_1801-1850/ab_1838_cfa_20020824_101050_sen_floor.html]

AB2321 - Court claims (2002) creates rules for personal injury claims against California State and local courts. [http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_2301-2350/ab_2321_cfa_20020816_184913_asm_floor.html]

AB2717 - Water Desalination (2002) requires the Department of Water Resources to report to the Legislature by 2004 on the possibility of seawater desalination in California. [p://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/asm/ab_2701-2750/ab_2717_cfa_20021008_165823_asm_floor.html]

ervice awards

As an Assemblyman, attorney, activist and businessman, Hertzberg has received many awards from various groups. A selected list would include:

*Tomorrow's Company "Force for Good Pioneers" Award
*Leaders of Character Award 2008, Boy Scouts of America
*The Guardian (UK): 50 People Who Could Save The Planet (January, 2008)
*Advocate of the Year 2007 University of California
*THE COALITION ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND JEWISH LIFE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA *(COEJLSC), ENVIRONMENTALIST of the Year, 2006
*CONGREGATION KOL AMI, Guardian of Justice Award, 2006
*CORO FOUNDATION, Public Affairs Award, 2006
*HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, Hammer Of Hope Award, 2006
*CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR REGIONAL LEADERSHIP, Civic Entrepreneur Award, 2005
*NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES, Legal Excellence Award, 2005
*MILLENNIUM MOMENTUM FOUNDATION, Leadership Legacy Award, 2005
*PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, Honorary Doctorate of Law, 2004
*MEXICAN AMERICAN BAR FOUNDATION, Professional Achievement Award, 2004
*California State University Legislator of the Year, 2003
*CALIFORNIA BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, Special Achievement Award, May 13, 2002
*CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Award for Meritorious Service, 2002
*MALDEF, Legal Services Award, November 9, 2001
*CALIFORNIA NETWORK OF EDUCATIONAL CHARTERS, Legislator of the Year, 2001
*GOLDEN STATE MUSEUM, Outstanding Leadership, 2001
*CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, Legislator of the Year, 2001
*NEW ISRAEL FUND, Guardian of Democracy Award, November 30, 2000
*PLANNED PARENTHOOD ASSEMBLY SERVICE LEADERSHIP AWARD, 2000
*NATIONAL WOMEN'S POLITICAL CAUCUS, Good Guy Award, September 23, 2000
*ECONOMIC ALLIANCE OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, Valley of the Stars *Leadership Award, June 24, 2000
*AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE, Positive Character, May 24, 2000
*CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD, Robert M. Hertzberg Day, April 18, 2000
*H.E.L.P., Outstanding Leadership, April 9, 2000
*CALIFORNIA COUNTY BOARDS OF EDUCATION, Legislator of the Year, 2000-2001
*CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSIONS, Legislator of the Year, 1999
*CALIFORNIA WOMEN FOR AGRICULTURE, Cornucopia Award, 1999
*CALIFORNIA YOUNG DEMOCRATS, Outstanding Mentor Award, 1999-2000
*PEACE OFFICERS RESEARCH ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA, The Joe Farber *Legislative Award, November 1998 [RMH personal file.]

Personal style

Extremely warm and outgoing, Hertzberg has been given the nicknames "Huggy" and "Hugsberg" for his habit of offering embraces to colleagues, employees, voters and even opponents. ["Speaker Hugsberg" by Steve Scott, California Journal, June, 2000.] Staffers also know to be on call whenever the Speaker would get a new idea. Republican consultant Tony Quinn described Hertzberg as the "Energizer Bunny with a 150 I.Q. -- always willing to discuss policy."

Legacy as Speaker

With Republican Assemblyman Bill Leonard, Hertzberg worked to create the Capitol Institute to train new legislators and employees in state ethics rules and computer systems. After his tenure as Speaker ended, the Legislature under successor Speaker Herb Wesson named the Capitol Institute after Hertzberg. [http://www.acfnewsource.org/democracy/capitol_school.html] “Hertzberg U,” by Kathleen Les, California Journal, June, 2000.] Hertzberg also created the Speaker's Office of International Relations and Protocol, a forward-thinking move in light of the "globalization" economic trends and the fact that if California were a separate nation, it would be among the world's 10 largest economies. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California] The non-partisan magazine California Journal, gave Hertzberg high marks for working hard, being intelligent, having high ethical standards and for being a successful coalition-builder.

Private Law Practice and alternative energy ventures, 2002 to current

After retiring from the State Assembly in 2002, Hertzberg joined Mayer Brown LLP, formerly Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw, the nation's 6th largest law firm as a full partner. At the firm, Hertzberg has specialized in government affairs, providing strategic advice to companies doing business in California and nationally. He has been particularly interested in the fields of the environment, climate-change, energy, water and Indian related issues, as well as the telecom and real estate industries.

Besides his law practice, Hertzberg has also been very active in the alternative energy business, founding Solar Integrated Technology in 2002, Renewable Capital in 2006 and co-founding G24 Innovations Limited in 2006. (See introduction above).

2005 Campaign for Mayor

Assemblyman Hertzberg retired from the Assembly in 2002. At the time, he said he had no plans to run for any other office, expressing a desire to "take care of my kids." [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5072/is_6_24/ai_91090278]

But a steady series of fundraising scandals where members of Mayor James Hahn's Administration were investigated by a grand jury for allegedly awarding city contracts to campaign contributors [http://articles.latimes.com/2005/mar/29/opinion/ed-debate29] and the general drift of Hahn (some critics called him "Mayor Yawn") created an opening. In a LA Times poll, only 48% of voters considered Hahn honest. [http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/timespoll/la-statsheetindex,1,1019262.htmlstory Los Angeles Times Poll, February, 2005.] ]

Antonio Villaraigosa, who lost a tough race to Mayor Hahn in 2001, had been elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 2003 while promising not to run for mayor, something he quickly reconsidered when Hahn proved vulnerable. Bernard Parks, the African-American City Councilman who had been dumped as Police Chief by Hahn and State Senator Richard Alarcon also jumped in, as did a number of minor candidates. Hertzberg's allies convinced him to run, and in 2004, he started a web site [http://www.changela.com ChangeLA.Com] to promote his candidacy.

Hertzberg advocated a "boroughs" system to make city government smaller, more efficient and more accountable to the grassroots, plus giving the Mayor's office more power, especially over the school system. He also opposed raising taxes, while favoring synchronizing traffic lights to ease congestion. Hertzberg's campaign platform consisted of four main planks:
* Break up the Los Angeles Unified School District to make it smaller, more responsive and more efficient. (Hertzberg called the District's 50% dropout rate the biggest threat to the city's future).
* A "Commuters' Bill of Rights" to help ease traffic woes.
* Using 25% of new revenue to hire at least 500 more police officers.
* Using revenue bond money to build "green" infrastructure immediately. [http://articles.latimes.com/2005/mar/29/opinion/ed-debate29]

He told the LA Times that it was more than ambition that caused him to run, but a sense of duty as well:

"Could I go out and make a ton of money in my businesses and law firm? Sure. But when I'm 70 years old, I look in the mirror and I watched this place crumble and knew I could have done something about it. I just couldn't let that happen. Believe me, otherwise I wouldn't have done it. The sacrifices to me and to my family are extraordinary." [http://articles.latimes.com/2005/feb/10/local/me-hertzbergprofile10]

Over half of LA city voters did not know much about Bob Hertzberg. To boost his public standing, Hertzberg launched a TV campaign that featured a giant image of him towering over a city full of problems. [http://articles.latimes.com/2004/jun/29/local/me-hertzberg29] He also unveiled an endorsement from former Mayor Richard Riordan. [http://articles.latimes.com/2005/feb/26/local/me-hertz26] The LA Times expressed a preference for a Villaraigosa-Hertzberg run-off [http://articles.latimes.com/2005/mar/29/opinion/ed-debate29] , while the Los Angeles Daily News endorsed Hertzberg. The African-American newspaper, The Los Angeles Sentinel, also endorsed Hertzberg, the first time they had ever endorsed a white candidate against a serious black candidate.Hertzberg efforts paid off as a second LA Times poll found the primary too close to call. [http://articles.latimes.com/2005/mar/01/local/me-poll1] Meanwhile, Hahn's supporters fought back with a hardball negative campaign through the mail. [http://articles.latimes.com/2005/mar/05/local/me-mayor5]

On March 8, 2005, the primary election results [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_mayoral_election%2C_2005] for Mayor for the top six were as follows:
# Antonio Villaraigosa: 33%
# James K. Hahn: 23%
# Bob Hertzberg: 22%
# Bernard C. Parks: 13%
# Richard Alarcon: 3%
# Walter Moore: 2.7%
# Others: 1.4%

Analysis by the LA Times showed that Hertzberg ran best in the San Fernando Valley and West LA, among white middle class voters and Jews. Hertzberg also won twice as many precincts as Hahn, but fell short when Hahn's negative ads decreased his support in the Valley. [http://articles.latimes.com/2005/mar/10/local/me-exit10 ; http://latimes.image2.trb.com/lanews/media/acrobat/2005-03/16621175.pdf] A lead editorial after the election in the LA Times, "Paging Bob Hertzberg," claimed a debate between Hahn and Villaraigosa made them "miss Bob Hertzberg and his outsized ideas." [LA Times, [http://articles.latimes.com/2005/mar/29/opinion/ed-debate29 "Paging Bob Hertzberg"] ]

After just missing the run-off, Hertzberg strongly endorsed the eventual winner Villaraigosa, helping the first Latino Mayor immensely in the San Fernando Valley, plus the Jewish and business communities where Hertzberg had run particularly strong in the primary. [http://articles.latimes.com/2005/apr/15/local/me-mayor15 ; http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-368795/Business-leaders-like-Hertzberg-in.html] Villaraigosa ended up winning the run-off by 59-41%.

Political advisory roles

Since Arnold Schwarzenegger's election as California Governor in the 2003 recall election, Hertzberg has served as both a formal and informal advisor to the "Governator." In 2003, Schwarzenegger appointed him to his Transition Committee and Hertzberg helped guide the passage of the new Governor's "Economic Recovery Package" through the Legislature that allowed the state to weather the financial crisis of 2003-04. According to The People's Machine by Joe Matthews, Schwarzenegger then offered Hertzberg the position of Chief of Staff, nicknaming him "Hertzie." The People's Machine: Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Rise of Blockbuster Democracy by Joe Matthews] Hertzberg chose to stay in the private sector, but did advise Arnold to "build a thoroughly bipartisan government." Hertzberg wrote in the LA Daily News that his advice was: "Take the initiative to go and meet with members of the Legislature, Democrats and Republicans alike. Sit in their offices, meet with them as human beings, and learn to work with them."

After finishing a close third in the 2005 Mayoral Election, Hertzberg also served as the Chair of Mayor-elect Villaraigosa's Transition Team.

Civic affairs/public policy activism

Hertzberg has stayed involved in policy debates and formulation through his service on numerous boards of public policy committees and several universities, including:

* Board Member, Town Hall Los Angeles
* Member, USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Board on History and Culture
* Fellow, USC Keston Institute for Infrastructure
* USC School of Public Policy, Board of Counselors [http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/rose/about/board_memberslist.php]
* Board of Visitors for Pepperdine School of Public Policy, Member
* Robert M. Hertzberg Library and Learning Center at Los Angeles Valley College, Chairman of the Board
* California Historical Society, Trustee to 2007
* National Speaker's Conference, Honorary Member, Executive Committee
* Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA), Board of Directors to 2007
* Board Member, Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College [http://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/welcome/board-of-visitors.htm]
* Century Housing Corporation, Board of Directors, 2003-2008 [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-18-2004/0002195802&EDATE]
* Member, Executive Committee, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
* Member, Council on Foreign Relations [http://www.centuryhousing.org/board.htm]
* Center for Governmental Studies, Board Member
* Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), Board Member to 2008
* Southern California Leadership Council, Board Member
* California Center For Regional Leadership, Board Member
* Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, Chairman 2004, Executive Committee 2005 to date. [http://www.calregions.org/projects/enews-vIi5.html]
* Huntington Library, Board Member
* Los Angeles World Affairs Council, appointed Board Member in 2008. [http://www.calparks.org/inside-parks/designer-needed.html]

Personal life

Hertzberg is married to Dr. Cynthia Telles, faculty member at the UCLA School of Medicine and a member of the Board of Directors of Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Telles is the daughter of Raymond Telles, the former Mayor of El Paso, Texas and American Ambassador to Costa Rica under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Telles] They live in the Sherman Oaks section of Los Angeles with their three children Raymond, David and Daniel.

Political vision/ideals

Hertzberg calls himself a "New Democrat" in the mold of Bill Clinton, who is both pro-business and pro-labor. [ http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-368795/Business-leaders-like-Hertzberg-in.html] He told the Los Angeles Business Journal that education is the key to the future and "we're trying to pave the way for what's coming next in California; intellectual property, not low-wage jobs." And Hertzberg told the Speaker's Commission on Regional Government: ""The winners in the New Economy will be the regions that learn to work together to relieve traffic congestion, build affordable housing, preserve open space and promote economic development. If government is going to be effective in this new age, it is going to have to start thinking regionally. This Commission is an important first step." [http://www.calregions.org/projects/enews-vIi5.html]

When he was running for Mayor, Hertzberg told the LA Weekly: "Get it done or get the heck out of the way is my philosophy. I start out as a holistic thinker. I'm the big picture, holistic thinker... It really boils down to the issue of getting the work done. I am sick and tired of the noise. Sick and tired of the empty promises." [http://www.laweekly.com/news/news/bob-hertzberg-interview-transcript/897/?page=1]

External links

* [http://changela.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.g24i.com G24 Innovations]

References