Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Staffer Caught Up in Merced Legislator's Political Rift. It Involves Valley Water, Too
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 4 years ago on
January 5, 2021

Share

Adam Gray, like his 79 other colleagues in the California Assembly, is supposed to be in Sacramento this week conducting the people’s business.

Because of COVID-19, the Legislature’s return has been delayed until Jan. 11. When Gray does resume work in the state’s capital, he might be happy to see 78 of those co-workers.

“The Speaker and I seem to have some irreconcilable differences on some of my votes, most notably my opposition to the state board and their water grab,” Gray said of Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood).

Gray has been unusually public about his problems with Rendon. When Rendon removed Gray as chairman of the Governmental Organization Committee last month, the Merced Democrat said it was because of differences on water policy.

Gray Fights for Staffer

“Letting go … of a good employee with an impeccable record right before Christmas with no prospect of a new job; and while pregnant is just, well, whether it’s legally OK or not, it’s morally reprehensible.” — Assemblyman Adam Gray

As part of the reorganization, committee secretary Ruba Khouri was removed from her job.

Gray fought for her, writing Rendon a letter on Khouri’s behalf. A political website published a copy of the Dec. 17 correspondence.

“I thought that was uncalled for and that that employee had done exceptional work and should have been retained,” Gray said. “Letting go … of a good employee with an impeccable record right before Christmas with no prospect of a new job; and while pregnant is just, well, whether it’s legally OK or not, it’s morally reprehensible.”

Rendon’s office says this is normal procedure when an elected leader leaves office or there is a change in committee leadership.

“This employee was not terminated. She was placed on transition status. This is a policy (in place since 1996) that temporarily gives full salary and healthcare to employees of Members who are termed out, have a change in committee chairmanship, etc. to allow them to search for another job. She now works in the office of Assemblymember Gray,” a spokeswoman from Rendon’s office told GV Wireâ„ .

The office of Assemblyman Jim Frazier, who succeeded Gray as chair of the Governmental Organization Committee, confirms that the two other staffers  — chief consultant Eric Johnson and consultant Mike Dayton — retained their jobs.

A spokesman for Frazier’s office said this sounded like a matter between Rendon and Gray.

However, Rendon’s office said committee chairs pick the staff.

“New chairs have the discretion to make any staffing changes they would like,” a Rendon spokeswoman said.

Gray confirmed, without specifically using her name, that Khouri will now work in his office.

Capitol staffers are not unionized and considered at-will employees. Some legislators are considering legislation allowing for collective bargaining.

Khouri did not respond to a request for comment.

Gray Says He’s Committed to Valley Water Issues

At the top of Gray’s legislative agenda is AB 62, which would provide tax credits for small businesses complying with COVID-19 regulations.

“It’s a relatively small gesture to help so many of these employers and employees who have suffered as a result of this public health crisis,” Gray said.

Gray said he would not let his punishment deter him for fighting for Valley water.

“I remain committed to forcing the state to make voluntary agreements with our local water districts and local communities and finding a solution that works for us and doesn’t disproportionately punish communities here in the San Joaquin Valley,” Gray said.

While Gray doesn’t have a current piece of water legislation, he plans to focus attention on the operation of the state water board.

“Rather than play by the rules, every time the water board has a chance, they try to make new rules. And that’s been our fight for the entire time I’ve been in office,” Gray said.

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Newsom Wants to Bypass Trump Tariffs With Direct CA Trade Deals

DON'T MISS

Markets Plunge With S&P 500 Down 6% and Dow Down 2,200 After China Retaliates

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Searching for Missing 12-Year-Old Girl

DON'T MISS

Madera Community College Unveils New Multicultural and Veterans Center

DON'T MISS

Fusion Energy Race Is On. Two Local Lawmakers Want California to Lead the Way

DON'T MISS

Saturday’s Spring Fest to Showcase Free, Low-Cost Activities for Fresno Kids

DON'T MISS

LA County Reaches $4 Billion Agreement to Settle Sexual Abuse Claims at Juvenile Facilities

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Deadly Marijuana DUI Crash

DON'T MISS

Judge Says US Must Return Maryland Man Who Was Mistakenly Deported to El Salvador Prison

DON'T MISS

These Fresno First-Graders Are Topping Their Peers in Reading

UP NEXT

Fusion Energy Race Is On. Two Local Lawmakers Want California to Lead the Way

UP NEXT

Saturday’s Spring Fest to Showcase Free, Low-Cost Activities for Fresno Kids

UP NEXT

LA County Reaches $4 Billion Agreement to Settle Sexual Abuse Claims at Juvenile Facilities

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Deadly Marijuana DUI Crash

UP NEXT

Fresno Burial Ceremony to Honor Five Abandoned Babies Set for Saturday

UP NEXT

Camalah Saleh Cruises to Win in Stormy Fresno State Student Elections

UP NEXT

If ex-Bitwise CEOs Behave in Prison, How Much Less Time Will They Serve?

UP NEXT

Staged Crashes and Insurance Fraud: Is Your California Commute a Target?

UP NEXT

Fight Over Phonics: Will CA Require the ‘Science of Reading’ in K-12 Schools?

UP NEXT

Get Off the Phone! Fresno Police Target Distracted Driving

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Madera Community College Unveils New Multicultural and Veterans Center

4 hours ago

Fusion Energy Race Is On. Two Local Lawmakers Want California to Lead the Way

4 hours ago

Saturday’s Spring Fest to Showcase Free, Low-Cost Activities for Fresno Kids

5 hours ago

LA County Reaches $4 Billion Agreement to Settle Sexual Abuse Claims at Juvenile Facilities

5 hours ago

Fresno Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Deadly Marijuana DUI Crash

6 hours ago

Judge Says US Must Return Maryland Man Who Was Mistakenly Deported to El Salvador Prison

6 hours ago

These Fresno First-Graders Are Topping Their Peers in Reading

7 hours ago

Fresno Burial Ceremony to Honor Five Abandoned Babies Set for Saturday

7 hours ago

Visalia Man Arrested for Soliciting Sex From Minor in Kingsburg

7 hours ago

Camalah Saleh Cruises to Win in Stormy Fresno State Student Elections

9 hours ago

Newsom Wants to Bypass Trump Tariffs With Direct CA Trade Deals

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday asked exporting countries worldwide to spare California their retaliatory tariffs, saying he plans to pursue dir...

3 hours ago

3 hours ago

Newsom Wants to Bypass Trump Tariffs With Direct CA Trade Deals

Specialist Anthony Matesic works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP/Richard Drew)
4 hours ago

Markets Plunge With S&P 500 Down 6% and Dow Down 2,200 After China Retaliates

Fresno police are searching for Unique Hernandez, 12, last seen on Friday, April 4, 2025, near Inyo Street and Maple Avenue, wearing all black clothing and carrying a black backpack. (Fresno PD)
4 hours ago

Fresno Police Searching for Missing 12-Year-Old Girl

4 hours ago

Madera Community College Unveils New Multicultural and Veterans Center

4 hours ago

Fusion Energy Race Is On. Two Local Lawmakers Want California to Lead the Way

5 hours ago

Saturday’s Spring Fest to Showcase Free, Low-Cost Activities for Fresno Kids

5 hours ago

LA County Reaches $4 Billion Agreement to Settle Sexual Abuse Claims at Juvenile Facilities

Antonio de Jesus Orozco Montes Deoca, 30, was sentenced on Friday, March 4, 2025, to 14 years and 8 months in prison for a deadly marijuana DUI crash in 2022 that killed one woman and injured four others. (GV Wire Composite)
6 hours ago

Fresno Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Deadly Marijuana DUI Crash

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend