2 Former Valley Lawmakers Named to State Posts

Two former San Fernando Valley legislators, forced from the Assembly by term limits, have been named to well-paying posts on separate state commissions.

Former Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) will make as much as a member of the California Medical Commission--$75,600 a year--as he did as a lawmaker. And former Assemblywoman Paula Boland (R-Granada Hills) will earn $38,094 annually for sitting on the California Narcotic Addict Evaluation Authority.

Katz, who led Democrats in the state’s lower house before being forced out in 1996, and also helped the Democrats retake control of the Assembly in November, was named to the seven-member board by new Assembly Speaker Cruz Bustamante (D-Fresno).

The commission, an independent state agency that negotiates Medi-Cal contracts with hospitals, meets twice a month, and members typically perform some hospital inspections.

Although Katz made his name as an expert on transportation rather than medicine, Bustamante spokesman Ron Gray said the former assemblyman was qualified to serve on the board by his 16 years in Sacramento.

“As a former legislator, Mr. Katz is knowledgeable on subjects related to state governance,” Gray said.

Katz could not be reached Saturday for comment.

Boland, who in November lost a bid for the state Senate after also being ousted by Assembly term limits, was named to her new post by Gov. Pete Wilson.

A parole board for certain drug abusers convicted of felonies, the Narcotic Addict Evaluation Authority meets about half a dozen times a month, said Boland, who chaired the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee for two years.

Also, she said, members are on call virtually 24 hours a day and spend considerable time on the telephone.

The salary, Boland said, would be commensurate with the work required.