So, which Samuelian will tout freeway?
by Bill McEwen THE FRESNO BEE

Fresno Bee (California)
May 5, 2005, Thursday FINAL EDITION

Now that lobbyist Steve Samuelian is being paid to whisper in Gov.
Schwarzenegger’s ear about Freeway 99 for two months, it would be
nice to know what taxpayers will get for their $4,000.

Will it be Samuelian the First, who built a reputation as a savvy,
hardworking public servant until he got lost on his way to the
Farm Bureau?

Samuelian the Second, the butt of jokes about getting lost on the
way to the Farm Bureau?

Or Samuelian the Third, who spent two years in the state Assembly
being ignored?

I’m hoping it’s Samuelian the First, because overtaxed, underfunded
Freeway 99 isn’t getting smoother, wider or safer, and might benefit
from conversion to an interstate.

Samuelian the Second is of little interest to me — although he could
raise his stock by admitting to cruising an area known for hookers
two years ago instead of sticking to that story about being lost.

The man has a right to make a living, and heaven knows Fresno has
forgiven and forgotten much worse.

But I fear that the agency responsible for planning Fresno’s
transportation system has hired Samuelian the Third. That would be
the guy who disappeared in the Assembly.

Fresno Mayor Alan Autry cited Samuelian’s contacts while touting him
to the Council of Fresno County Governments last week.

If Samuelian has juice in the capital, his record doesn’t show it. He
introduced 23 pieces of legislation; six were approved.

Two named stretches of Freeway 99 for law enforcement officers
killed in the line of duty. The others added laid-off local and
state firefighters to a state hiring list, provided oversight of
veterans benefits, created a Hmong-American Veterans Memorial Day
and recognized the contributions of Sikh Americans to California.

None of those accomplishments suggests that Samuelian carries weight.
In fact, Schwarzenegger vetoed a Samuelian bill last year that would
have guaranteed $120,000 a year for a volunteer firefighter awards
program.

Reality is, Autry — with his higher profile and established
relationships in Sacramento — is more likely to sway the governor
than Samuelian, who isn’t even popular among fellow Republicans.

Maybe it will be Samuelian’s job to write up talking points, massage
the concerns of in- terstate foes and arrange a meeting between Autry
and Schwarzenegger. Samuelian will have to walk a careful line because
he is barred by law from lobbying the Legislature until December.

This is certain: Samuelian has put himself into a no-lose situation.
If Schwarzenegger supports the interstate effort, Samuelian enhances
his reputation as a Sacramento in- sider. If the governor doesn’t,
Samuelian can use the excuse that it takes more than 60 days to move
an Austrian oak.

Samuelian also has lobbying contracts with several small Fresno County
cities trying to attract business and the governor’s attention. Those
are tall orders for someone who failed to persuade colleagues to
support a resolution asking Congress to designate April 24, 2004,
a day of remembrance for the Armenian genocide.

The columnist can be reached at bmcewen@fresnobee.com or (559)
441-6632.