THE BUZZ: DIVERSITY DILEMMA — Concerns about Black representation emerged moments after Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced his new leadership team just as everyone was clearing out of Sacramento for the long holiday weekend. Lobbyists, lawmakers and leaders immediately noted that his formal Democratic leadership ranks were suddenly without a Black member. Rivas, in one of his first major moves as speaker, ousted two Black lawmakers from key posts, removing Assemblymember Isaac Bryan as majority leader and bouncing Chris Holden from his position as chair of the Appropriations Committee (generally seen as the most coveted committee gavel). Bryan — who was pushed out after less than five months in the job — was the first to publicly point out the diversity aspect of the leadership shuffle. He noted, in a statement to Playbook last week, that Black people “now see no representation in the entire formal Democratic leadership of the state Assembly,” though he added that “does not mean you are without representatives and certainly not absent leaders.” The shakeup has reverberated among Black lawmakers and leaders in recent days, leaving some searching for an explanation. Rivas, in a statement Tuesday that seemed aimed at his critics, congratulated his new “historic and diverse Assembly leadership team.” But he used a broader definition of the group, noting that every member of the Black caucus who isn’t termed out or leaving next year has been appointed to committee or budget subcommittee chair posts. The statement also noted Rivas’ appointment of a record number of women as committee chairs. Among the appointments for members of the Black Caucus: Lori Wilson will chair the Transportation Committee; Bryan will chair the Natural Resources Committee; Kevin McCarty will chair the Public Safety Committee; and Mia Bonta will chair the Health Committee. Wilson, who chairs the caucus, said she's received a half-dozen phone calls in recent days from Black community leaders with concerns about the leadership changes. She said she's explained that although no Black members hold Assembly officer positions, they will oversee a host of influential policy committees. "Our priority this year was policy work, and making sure Black Caucus members were allowed to have a voice on key policy," Wilson told Playbook. Wilson said the Black Caucus met the day after Rivas announced his leadership team to discuss the issue and Bryan's concerns. She said the caucus was largely thankful to Rivas for ensuring its members have top committee posts in the Assembly. "I’ve had unfettered access to him on issues affecting Black caucus members and Black Californians," Wilson said. Cynthia Moreno, Rivas’ press secretary, pointed to the support from Wilson, adding, “The speaker’s door is always open to address any concerns people may have.” But it’s undeniable that the changes mean that there are no Black members in the chamber’s appointed officer ranks — and, of that, people have certainly taken notice. GOOD MORNING. Happy Wednesday. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. | 
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