This is part of a Playbook series featuring conversations with California’s new class of state lawmakers. ALL RISE: Former prosecutor Nick Schultz is preparing to take on one of the most thankless roles in Sacramento — and he’s not only excited for the job, he asked for it. “I understand that, historically, it has been, some might argue, a perilous assignment,” said Schultz, incoming chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee. “But I've spent my entire career in this world.” In California parlance, the 36-year-old freshman lawmaker and former Burbank mayor is stoked on the chance to reshape Public Safety, despite the committee’s many political landmines. Opposing tough crime bills exposes lawmakers — particularly the chair — to attacks from law enforcement and victims’ organizations who can claim they’re being soft on criminals. But backing more aggressive legislation can put them on the outs with reformers. Schultz will take over the job from now-Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, who served as chair for just one year. But it was McCarty’s predecessor, former Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, who really left his mark on the committee. He passionately opposed increasing criminal penalties and sometimes held high-profile bills that sought to do so. That sparked clashes with Republicans and moderate Democrats over fentanyl and sex trafficking as the state soured on progressive recommendations for public safety and shifted to the right. Now, Schultz will have an opportunity to shape the role alongside fellow legislative newbie state Sen. Jesse Arreguín, a former Berkeley mayor who will take over his chamber’s Public Safety committee from Sen. Aisha Wahab. Playbook sat down with Schultz to discuss how he plans to bring his experience as a deputy state attorney general and his self-described “youthful energy” to the Capitol. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. What is your approach going to be as new Public Safety chair? Without disparaging any of my predecessors, I think I just have a different approach. Having had a lot of experience in the courtroom, what I've appreciated about the … process is that everyone comes in, I make my case, or the prosecutor, defense makes their case … judge takes all of that information into consideration, and if they're doing it the right way, she or he or they are considering all the factors and then trying to render a just decision. That's how I want this committee to run. I'm going to take a meeting with everyone, from criminal justice advocates, to advocates for the victims and survivors of crime, to those representing law enforcement. And if I have a bill that I'm either considering or that comes across my desk, that maybe comes from one camp, I'm going to reach out to the other camp. I don't really want to be in the business of holding bills. I think that if somebody has an idea, it's worth a public discussion. And generally speaking, I want to work with the author of any bill to try and make it better. How did you vote on Proposition 36, the November ballot measure to increase penalties for some theft- and drug-related crimes? I voted “no” on Prop 36. The reason I voted “no” on Prop 36 is that, while I understand there is a need for more accountability, I don't think Prop 36 was the answer. I think that what it's going to lead to is a lack of funding for other really essential services that we need in our justice system. We need money for rehabilitation and treatment and re-entry. I think that Prop 36 is a short-term measure that might compromise our ability to have a truly just system that has rehabilitation as a priority. But with that said, look, the voters have spoken, and now it's our obligation to honor the voters’ choice. It’s interesting you seem excited about chairing this committee. In the past, it’s been a bit of a challenging one to lead, given the political liabilities. I requested the opportunity to chair it … I have been both a prosecutor and a self-described progressive Democrat. I believe the answer does lie in the middle. I think that Californians deserve to feel safe, and we have to deliver that for them. I've stood in the courtroom and I've seen people that look and sound like me have a very different outcome from the justice system, and we have to remedy that, as well. And I feel uniquely qualified. IT’S TUESDAY AFTERNOON. This is California Playbook PM, a POLITICO newsletter that serves as an afternoon temperature check on California politics and a look at what our policy reporters are watching. Got tips or suggestions? Shoot an email to lholden@politico.com.
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