The California Senate Rules Committee gave thumbs up to the appointment of one of their former Democratic colleagues at a hearing on Wednesday. The Sacramento Bee reports that Isadore Hall received a 3-0 vote for his confirmation to the Agricultural Labor Relations Board. Hall’s appointment created controversy, with some saying this was typical political cronyism. Others question Hall’s credentials to serve on an agency that helps settle disputes between farmers and their employees.

Hall, a politician from Compton, served in the state assembly and senate before a failed run for U.S. congress last November. He was appointed in January to the ALRB post by Gov. Jerry Brown. Hall’s left-leaning vision on labor and environmental issues were in line with Brown’s. During his time in the state legislature, Hall never served on any type of agriculture committees.

The rules committee provides the first layer of confirmation (Hall can serve up to one year after his appointment without a confirmation). The full senate body will then vote. The yes votes in Rules came from the three Democrats: chairman (and senate president) Kevin de Leon, Toni Atkins and Connie Levya. The two Republicans on the committee both serve parts of the valley, but did not register votes. The Bee reports that Anthony Canella (R-Ceres) declined to vote and Tom Berryhill (R-Twain Harte), who’s district covers Fresno), did not attend.

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