THE BUZZ — Robert Rivas knew at least 452 days ago that he wanted to be Speaker of the Assembly. But nearly two months into power, the newly appointed leader has spoken little about his policy priorities or how he’ll wield the power of the gavel. His transition into the role has stretched on so long that it’s practically an extended honeymoon. And with only a few weeks left in the legislative session, lobbyists and Capitol staffers who have also taken note of the quiet start are waiting and waiting to see when he’ll get down to brass tacks. Rivas staffers and close allies — and we mean literally four! — were quick to try to disabuse us of the notion that Rivas doesn’t have a vision. He’s working behind the scenes, they insist, organizing his fleet before coming back next year with a fully-formed plan. Plus, they claim, his rivals didn’t make the transition smooth or easy. But they aren’t exactly disputing our central premise, either. “There’s show horses and workhorses — he’s always been a workhorse,” said Steve Maviglio, a longtime Democratic strategist working with Rivas’ team. “He’s not going to hold a million press conferences. He’s more quiet and hard working.” Meanwhile, questions still abound: Will he centralize power in his office reclaiming power from committee chairs who had freer rein during the Rendon era? Does he plan to act as a Newsom acolyte or counterweight? Will he carry major policy initiatives, or leave it to his members? It’s not typical for a speaker to be so selective with his voice — and part of Rivas’ pitch to his fellow lawmakers included more hands-on leadership — but his ascension also came with odd timing and a fragile promise of power. "It was such a profoundly awkward moment to assume power,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, a top Rivas ally. Even after the caucus agreed to make him Anthony Rendon’s successor last November, there was still fear that Rivas could lose votes or face a counter-coup. He kept a low profile during most of his transition — avoiding extensive interviews with an eager press corps. But some lawmakers who are close to him say it’s not all on Rivas. He might have had a better head start for his new job, allies say, had he gotten more support from Rendon during the ramp-up. "That was the hope for the transition period,” said Majority Leader Isaac Bryan, a close ally. “But it would have taken two actors.” After taking his oath on June 30, there was hope that Rivas would lay out a more explicit plan. But during an hour-long conversation with the Sacramento Press Club shortly after the inauguration, he continued to dance around specifics, saying he was focused on the work, building relationships and finishing out the session while continuing with the long-term planning and structuring of his office. Maviglio, a top adviser to three prior Assembly speakers, said all the talk about Rivas’ silence is much ado, adding, “That chatter is mostly coming from lobbyists, not members of the caucus.”
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