Great news!
Source bar.com
"This week Governor Jerry Brown confirmed reports he would name John Laird, one of the first openly gay men to serve in the state Legislature, as his secretary of the Natural Resources Agency.
It was the first in what is expected to be several high profile LGBT appointments by Brown, who took his third oath of office as the state's top official Monday, January 3.
Laird, 60, represented Santa Cruz in the Assembly for six years before being termed out of office. He lost a bid last summer for a coastal state Senate seat.
Should he be confirmed by the state Senate to the position, Laird will oversee policies that cover everything from logging and water to state parks and farming issues. A longtime environmental activist, Laird is expected to be a vocal opponent of offshore oil drilling, which he fought against when he served as a city councilman and mayor of his hometown.
In Sacramento, Laird helped push through the state's cutting edge climate change law known as AB 32, which regulates greenhouse gas emissions and has been fiercely opposed by oil companies. He was also a main voice for protecting Sierra forests, water conservation and renewable energy while in the statehouse.
Laird is the fifth out person to be appointed to a state position in recent weeks. Prior to his leaving office, former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he had selected four openly gay or lesbian people for state boards and commissions."
- Kathleen Connell, M.A.
