Assembly Labor Chair Cuts Off Vice Chair Matt Harper’s Microphone
Posted by Chris Nguyen on July 9, 2015
I go on one vacation, and Fullerton agrees to election districts, the Governor signs SB 277 (Vaccination bill) into law, and the U.S. Supreme Court declares same-sex marriage a constitutional right, rules redistricting commissions constitutional, and accepts an Orange County case challenging the constitutionality of mandatory union dues.
More on those at a later date. In a fun hearing yesterday on SB 3 by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) to raise the minimum wage, a clearly irritated Assembly Labor Committee Chair Roger Hernandez (D-West Covina) cut off the debate and forced a vote on the bill and even ordered the sergeant-at-arms to “please remove the mic” of Committee Vice Chair Matt Harper (R-Huntington Beach).
Here’s the 94-second video, with the mic removal toward the end:
On Facebook, Harper wrote:
Assemblyman Roger Hernandez, keep your hands off my microphone! #SB3 #MinimumWage #CALEG #CAPolitics #OffWithTheirMics
Here’s a more extensive statement from Harper’s office:
During a routine bill presentation today in front of the Assembly Labor and Employment committee, Chairman Roger Hernández (D-West Covina) used bullying tactics to stop any opposing comment from his Vice-Chairman and colleague, Assemblyman Matthew Harper (R-Huntington Beach).
The erratic behavior began when Hernandez first cut off a witness testifying mid-sentence. Although Hernández had already recognized Harper as the next speaker, instead, Hernández cut Harper off before he was able to say one word.
Hernandez then began frantically calling for a vote to quickly silence Harper. When Harper insisted to be heard, Hernandez physically reached over another person to personally turn off Harper’s microphone. The spastic behavior continued with Hernandez demanding capitol security to remove Assemblyman Harper’s microphone from the dais.
Assemblyman Hernández blocked discussion on a hot topic, SB 3 (Leno), a minimum wage increase bill that would have major implications to businesses and workers throughout the state of California.
From Assemblyman Matthew Harper:
“Blocking discussion in this manner is unfair, undemocratic and soils the decorum of the Assembly. I was sent here to represent the concerns of the voters of my district and chairman Hernández shut down my ability to speak for who I represent.
“Our state’s underemployment rate is overwhelming and the bill being rammed through our committee would make it harder to hire. We are sent here to debate policy that impacts the lives of Californians, not shut down dissenting points of view.
“The chair’s actions were offensive and disrespectful today, not just to me, but to Californians who want jobs and deserve to know the impacts policy will have on their chances of employment. The good people of the San Gabriel Valley deserve better from their representative and Californians as a whole deserve more from those who serve them.”
Hernandez won 54% of the vote in November against an underfunded Republican in the 48th Assembly District.
OC Political 
mary spadoni said
This was absolutely in appropriate conduct on the part of Hernandez. Evidently he forget, Harper, had also been elected and represented his district. Outrageous behavior, just wrong in so many kevels.
Carol Koerner Redhead said
Vote Hernandez out! Bully bully bully! Get rid of that behavior in our elected officals once and for all!
conniepngo said
If Assemblyman Roger Hernandez has bullied behavior toward his colleague Assemblyman Mathew Harper or others is true. He should be vote out of the office immediately. How can the bullying actions stop as the elementary, middle, high school levels , when we have this bulling kind of leaders in our government system. How can we the adult to be a model for the young kids to follow?
The country cannot be strong and number one country of the world with this bullied behavior of the leaders.
Paul Lucas said
Chris,
Please take more vacations.
Sue said
Hernandez thinks only his opinion matters? It is DISGUSTING and UNPROFESSIONAL behavior from DEMOCRATS who think they can bully Conservative Assembly Reps from other districts if they don’t agree with their views. If that were me, I would have decked the a-hole!! His behavior was inexcusable! Hernandez should not get away with his slimy, disrespectful tactics and should be relieved of his position NOW!! No wonder NOTHING gets done in Sacramento! Hernandez is a pompous JERK and was RUDE and completely OUT OF LINE! Matt Harper is my Assemblyman and I take this personally!! All Californians deserve better!!
TheMarshallPlan said
Well Roger Hernandez is termed out so this is an open seat for 2016 so that means we can have another good candidate not receive any funding and lose to another left wing Democrat. Hopefully, the Democrat nominee doesn’t have a problem with drunk driving like Mr. Hernandez.
Carol Redhead said
Did you click on the link?
TheMarshallPlan said
What link?
KenCoop said
More of the usual situational faux outrage from conservatives.
They said nothing when Rep. Issa (R-CA) did the same to Rep. Cummings (D-MD) during a hearing on the IRS faux scandal.
http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/06/why-darrell-issa-turned-off-the-mic/?_r=0