Tom Torlakson
Encyclopedia
Thomas A. "Tom" Torlakson (born July 19, 1949) is an American
politician
from California
. In 2010, he was elected to the position of California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
, the highest education post in California. He is a member of the Democratic Party
.
He previously served his three terms in the California State Assembly
, representing the 11th district
, which consists of northern portions of Contra Costa County
. He also served two terms in the California State Senate
, representing the 7th district
, which consists of most of Contra Costa County
.
resident and was born in San Francisco on July 19, 1949. His hometown is Daly City. His grandfather worked in San Francisco as a U.S. Coast Guard seaman. Torlakson's father worked as a welder and joining built Liberty cargo ships for World War II
. Torlakson's mother worked as a school secretary and in the postal service. He is of Icelandic
heritage as his name reveals.
Torlakson worked as a Merchant Marine during the Vietnam War
from 1967 to 1970. He served in Guam
, Vietnam
, Thailand
and later on Chevron
oil tankers to Alaska
. It was his first union job. In 1968, he earned the Merchant Marines Vietnam Service Medal.
Torlakson attended the University of California, Berkeley
. He earned a B.A.
in History
in 1971, a Life Secondary Teaching Credential, and an M.A.
in Education
in 1977.
. He demonstrated with students to keep Pacifica High School open, and he walked a picket line for two weeks in 1977 at Mt. Diablo High School during a strike for a better contract.
City Council in 1978. Torlakson was selected as the Mayor Pro-Tem. He was involved in Antioch city politics from 1978 to 1981. He was chairman of the Delta Protection Commission. He was a member of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors District 5 for 16 years from 1981 to 1996.
, for a California State Assembly
seat. Torlakson was a tough campaigner with a biting slogan, "His own name, his own record." Torlakson was elected to the California's 11th State Assembly district
in 1996 and 1998.
Torlakson authored legislation to provide $50 million to elementary and junior high schools statewide for after-school programs that eventually was increased to $550 million annually. He was a key architect of the plan for school facilities funding that became Proposition 1A. Californians approved with a 62% "yes" vote in November 1998, allowing $9.2 billion for new schools and for the modernization and rehabilitation of older schools. He also helped provide funding for numerous day care and Head Start centers.
Torlakson helped negotiation during the local labor disputes that included a Kaiser
strike, a 22-month contract battle between SEIU Local 250 and Sutter Delta Delta Medical Center, and the BFI-Teamster garbage strike.
Torlakson helped implement the Transportation Congestion Relief Plan that allocated $5 billion, largely with sales tax on gasoline, for transportation improvements though the Legislature often uses this money to cover the state deficit.
Torlakson backed legislation that requires regular maintenance and mechanical inspections of all permanent amusement park rides. He sought the regulations after a fatal waterslide accident at Waterworld in Concord
in 1997.
for the 7th Senate District
in 2000. At the time, the race for the State Senate seat was the most expensive state legislative race in state history. Torlakson ran against incumbent Republican State Senator Richard Rainey
. The candidates spent over $6 million. Torlakson outraised Rainey by more than $1 million. Torlakson took the race by more than ten percentage points and had been favored to win because of the district's high Democratic Party registration but Rainey's position as an incumbent made the race competitive.
and Metropolitan Transportation. Torlakson authored laws that extend to 10 years the time a person's DUI conviction remains on his or her record and other tightened restrictions.
Torlakson was Chairman of the Senate's Majority Caucus and the Chair of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. He was also a member of the Senate Local Government Committee.
During his first term, he worked to reduce sprawl, push localities to build affordable housing, and to improve the health of Californians. Torlakson was strongly against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
’s proposal of having the Bay Area pay the complete price of the Bay Bridge's new eastern span.
of Whittier
when Senate President Pro Tem John L. Burton
was termed. Escutia and Torlakson had forged a strong relationship due in part to the salsa dancing lessons they took together. Escutia describes Torlakson as her "lifestyle coach”. Torlakson said at the time that his policy ideas worked best with Escutia instead of Don Perata of Oakland. Friends say privately that he told them it was time for a woman and a Latino to lead the Senate.
Many Northern Californian legislators were upset that Torlakson was supporting someone from Southern California. Throughout California history, there has been an intentional effort among the Legislature to divide the Speaker of the Assembly and the Senate President Pro Tempore between Southern California and Northern California. With the Speaker being Fabian Nunez
of Los Angeles
, the Senate President Pro Tem position was expected to go to a Northern Californian.
Critics say he chose Escutia because her term ended in 2006, which would have opened the Pro Tem position during Torlakson's last two years in office. Don Perata
of Oakland
defeated Escutia.
Torlakson was also a member of the Education Committee and the Transportation and Housing Committee, and he was Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Schools and Community.
Of the 20 bills Torlakson sent to Governor Schwarzenegger in 2006, 18 were signed into law, including legislation to streamline and improve California's after school programs and provide $2.9 billion in additional funding to the state's lowest performing schools.
arranged a seat swap. After serving only one term in the Assembly, DeSaulnier was elected to replace Torlakson in the Senate while Torlakson was elected to replace DeSaulnier in the Assembly.
in the 2010 elections, beating Larry Aceves
in the General Election held on November 2, 2010. Torlakson replaced Jack O'Connell
, who was termed out of office.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. In 2010, he was elected to the position of California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
The State Superintendent of Public Instruction of California is the nonpartisan elected executive officer of the California Department of Education. The SPI directs all functions of the Department of Education and executes policies set by the California State Board of Education...
, the highest education post in California. He is a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
He previously served his three terms in the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
, representing the 11th district
California's 11th State Assembly district
California's 11th State Assembly District is one of 80 districts in the California State Assembly. It is currently represented by Democrat Susan Bonilla of Concord.-District profile:...
, which consists of northern portions of Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County, California
Contra Costa County is a primarily suburban county in the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 1,049,025...
. He also served two terms in the California State Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
, representing the 7th district
California's 7th State Senate district
California's 7th State Senate District is one of 40 Senate Districts. It is currently represented by Democrat Mark DeSaulnier of Concord.-District profile:...
, which consists of most of Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County, California
Contra Costa County is a primarily suburban county in the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 1,049,025...
.
Background
Torlakson is a second generation San Francisco Bay AreaSan Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
resident and was born in San Francisco on July 19, 1949. His hometown is Daly City. His grandfather worked in San Francisco as a U.S. Coast Guard seaman. Torlakson's father worked as a welder and joining built Liberty cargo ships for World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Torlakson's mother worked as a school secretary and in the postal service. He is of Icelandic
Icelanders
Icelanders are a Scandinavian ethnic group and a nation, native to Iceland.On 17 June 1944, when an Icelandic republic was founded the Icelanders became independent from the Danish monarchy. The language spoken is Icelandic, a North Germanic language, and Lutheranism is the predominant religion...
heritage as his name reveals.
Torlakson worked as a Merchant Marine during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
from 1967 to 1970. He served in Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and later on Chevron
Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, United States and active in more than 180 countries. It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining,...
oil tankers to Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. It was his first union job. In 1968, he earned the Merchant Marines Vietnam Service Medal.
Torlakson attended the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. He earned a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in History
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
in 1971, a Life Secondary Teaching Credential, and an M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
in 1977.
Physical fitness
Torlakson has shown a strong commitment to fitness throughout his life. He was a high school cross-country and fitness coach for 26 years. He is an avid runner and biker, he initiated "State Fitness Month" to promote physical fitness and healthier living. He enjoys competing in triathlons, including the "Escape from Alcatraz." He lobbied for healthier snacks in the Senate lounge vending machines. He is the chair and Founder of the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness, a group seeking to raise the profile of health and fitness in the public schools and in the workplace. Torlakson had a section titled “Tom’s fitness tips” on his Senate website.Teaching
Torlakson's career in public service began as a science teacher in 1972. He worked as a teacher in Bay Area high schools and was an active member of the California Federation of Teachers and the California Teachers AssociationCalifornia Teachers Association
The California Teachers Association , initially established in 1863 as the California Educational Society, is by far the largest teachers' union in the state of California. It is considered by many to be the most powerful union in California...
. He demonstrated with students to keep Pacifica High School open, and he walked a picket line for two weeks in 1977 at Mt. Diablo High School during a strike for a better contract.
Local politics
Torlakson was elected to the AntiochAntioch, California
Antioch is a city in Contra Costa County, California. Located in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area along the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta, it is a suburb of San Francisco and Oakland. The city's population was 102,372 at the U.S...
City Council in 1978. Torlakson was selected as the Mayor Pro-Tem. He was involved in Antioch city politics from 1978 to 1981. He was chairman of the Delta Protection Commission. He was a member of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors District 5 for 16 years from 1981 to 1996.
First two State Assembly terms
Torlakson successfully challenged George Miller IV, son of the popular congressman George Miller IIIGeorge Miller (politician)
George Miller III is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1975. He is a member of the Democratic Party. From 2007 through 2010, Miller served as chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, formerly known as the Education and the Workforce Committee.-Early life, education, and early...
, for a California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
seat. Torlakson was a tough campaigner with a biting slogan, "His own name, his own record." Torlakson was elected to the California's 11th State Assembly district
California's 11th State Assembly district
California's 11th State Assembly District is one of 80 districts in the California State Assembly. It is currently represented by Democrat Susan Bonilla of Concord.-District profile:...
in 1996 and 1998.
Torlakson authored legislation to provide $50 million to elementary and junior high schools statewide for after-school programs that eventually was increased to $550 million annually. He was a key architect of the plan for school facilities funding that became Proposition 1A. Californians approved with a 62% "yes" vote in November 1998, allowing $9.2 billion for new schools and for the modernization and rehabilitation of older schools. He also helped provide funding for numerous day care and Head Start centers.
Torlakson helped negotiation during the local labor disputes that included a Kaiser
Kaiser
Kaiser is the German title meaning "Emperor", with Kaiserin being the female equivalent, "Empress". Like the Russian Czar it is directly derived from the Latin Emperors' title of Caesar, which in turn is derived from the personal name of a branch of the gens Julia, to which Gaius Julius Caesar,...
strike, a 22-month contract battle between SEIU Local 250 and Sutter Delta Delta Medical Center, and the BFI-Teamster garbage strike.
Torlakson helped implement the Transportation Congestion Relief Plan that allocated $5 billion, largely with sales tax on gasoline, for transportation improvements though the Legislature often uses this money to cover the state deficit.
Torlakson backed legislation that requires regular maintenance and mechanical inspections of all permanent amusement park rides. He sought the regulations after a fatal waterslide accident at Waterworld in Concord
Concord, California
Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County, California, USA. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 122,067. Originally founded in 1869 as the community of Todos Santos by Salvio Pacheco, the name was changed to Concord within months...
in 1997.
First campaign
Torlakson was elected to the California State SenateCalifornia State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
for the 7th Senate District
California's 7th State Senate district
California's 7th State Senate District is one of 40 Senate Districts. It is currently represented by Democrat Mark DeSaulnier of Concord.-District profile:...
in 2000. At the time, the race for the State Senate seat was the most expensive state legislative race in state history. Torlakson ran against incumbent Republican State Senator Richard Rainey
Richard Rainey
Richard Rainey was a Republican politician from Walnut Creek, California, a suburb in the San Francisco Bay Area. He served in the California State Assembly from 1992 until 1996 and then served in the State Senate from 1996 until 2000 when he was defeated for reelection by Tom Torlakson, a...
. The candidates spent over $6 million. Torlakson outraised Rainey by more than $1 million. Torlakson took the race by more than ten percentage points and had been favored to win because of the district's high Democratic Party registration but Rainey's position as an incumbent made the race competitive.
First term
During his first term in the State Senate, Torlakson supported legislation that merged the Association of Bay Area GovernmentsAssociation of Bay Area Governments
The Association of Bay Area Governments is a regional planning agency incorporating various local governments in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. It deals with land use, housing, environmental quality, and economic development. Non-profit organizations as well as governmental...
and Metropolitan Transportation. Torlakson authored laws that extend to 10 years the time a person's DUI conviction remains on his or her record and other tightened restrictions.
Torlakson was Chairman of the Senate's Majority Caucus and the Chair of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. He was also a member of the Senate Local Government Committee.
During his first term, he worked to reduce sprawl, push localities to build affordable housing, and to improve the health of Californians. Torlakson was strongly against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
’s proposal of having the Bay Area pay the complete price of the Bay Bridge's new eastern span.
Leadership battle
Torlakson supported Senator Martha EscutiaMartha Escutia
Martha M. Escutia is a Democratic politician who represented the areas surrounding Los Angeles in the California State Senate from 1998 until 2006 and in the California State Assembly from 1992 until 1998. She is currently one of the founding attorneys of The Senators Firm, LLP.-Senate...
of Whittier
Whittier, California
Whittier is a city in Los Angeles County, California about southeast of Los Angeles. The city had a population of 85,331 at the 2010 census, up from 83,680 as of the 2000 census, and encompasses 14.7 square miles . Like nearby Montebello, the city constitutes part of the Gateway Cities...
when Senate President Pro Tem John L. Burton
John L. Burton
John Lowell Burton is the current Chairman of the California Democratic Party. He is an American politician who served as a Democratic California State Senator from 1996 until 2004, representing the 3rd district. From 1998 until he was forced out of office by term limits in 2004, he served as the...
was termed. Escutia and Torlakson had forged a strong relationship due in part to the salsa dancing lessons they took together. Escutia describes Torlakson as her "lifestyle coach”. Torlakson said at the time that his policy ideas worked best with Escutia instead of Don Perata of Oakland. Friends say privately that he told them it was time for a woman and a Latino to lead the Senate.
Many Northern Californian legislators were upset that Torlakson was supporting someone from Southern California. Throughout California history, there has been an intentional effort among the Legislature to divide the Speaker of the Assembly and the Senate President Pro Tempore between Southern California and Northern California. With the Speaker being Fabian Nunez
Fabian Núñez
Fabian Núñez has been a labor union adviser and a Democratic politician. He served three two year terms as a member of the State Assembly, leaving office late in 2008...
of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, the Senate President Pro Tem position was expected to go to a Northern Californian.
Critics say he chose Escutia because her term ended in 2006, which would have opened the Pro Tem position during Torlakson's last two years in office. Don Perata
Don Perata
Don Richard Perata is a California Democratic politician, who was President pro tempore of the California State Senate from 2004 to 2008. He came in second place in the November 2010 ballot for Mayor of Oakland...
of Oakland
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
defeated Escutia.
Second term
Perata and Torlakson reconciled their differences quickly, especially as Perata appointed Torlakson to chair the important Senate Appropriations Committee.Torlakson was also a member of the Education Committee and the Transportation and Housing Committee, and he was Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Schools and Community.
Of the 20 bills Torlakson sent to Governor Schwarzenegger in 2006, 18 were signed into law, including legislation to streamline and improve California's after school programs and provide $2.9 billion in additional funding to the state's lowest performing schools.
Third State Assembly term
Because of term limits, Torlakson was termed out of his Senate seat in 2008. Torlakson and Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnierMark DeSaulnier
Mark James DeSaulnier is an American politician and a Democratic member of the California Legislature representing California's 7th State Senate district since December 2008. From 2006 to 2008, DeSaulnier represented California's 11th State Assembly district...
arranged a seat swap. After serving only one term in the Assembly, DeSaulnier was elected to replace Torlakson in the Senate while Torlakson was elected to replace DeSaulnier in the Assembly.
2010 campaign for State Superintendent
Torlakson ran for California State Superintendent of Public InstructionCalifornia State Superintendent of Public Instruction
The State Superintendent of Public Instruction of California is the nonpartisan elected executive officer of the California Department of Education. The SPI directs all functions of the Department of Education and executes policies set by the California State Board of Education...
in the 2010 elections, beating Larry Aceves
Larry Aceves
Larry Aceves is the former Superintendent of the Franklin-McKinley School District and of the Alum Rock Union School District, and was the losing candidate for the post of California Superintendent of Public Instruction in the general election of 2010.Aceves was the top vote-getter in the primary...
in the General Election held on November 2, 2010. Torlakson replaced Jack O'Connell
Jack O'Connell
Jack T. O'Connell is an American politician and the former 26th California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, having been elected to the post in November 2002 with 61% of the vote. He was re-elected to his post by receiving a majority of the vote in the Primary election on June 6, 2006,...
, who was termed out of office.
Awards won (partial list)
- League of California Cities Co-Legislator of the Year (September 7, 2006)
- California State University Legislator of the Year (March 2006)
- Alumni Associations of the University of California 2006 AAUC Advocate of the Year (March 7, 2006)
- "Community Making a Difference" Award, Mothers Against Drunk Driving California State Organization, April 2005
- "Elected Official of the Year," California Transportation Foundation, 2004
- "Legislator of the Year," California Transit Association, 2003
- Legislator of the Year by Californians Against WasteCalifornians Against WasteCalifornians Against Waste is an American environmental advocacy organization that takes action on local, state and national levels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution through the expansion of a recycling economy...
, 2001 - "Outstanding Public Service Award - 2000" from the California Public Employees Association
- California Redevelopment Association, Co-Legislator of the Year, 1999
- Contra Costa Association of Homeless and Housing Service Providers, Outstanding Leadership Award, 1998
- California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions, Legislator of the Year, 1997
External links
- State Assembly Website
- http://www.ucop.edu/state/advocacy/biographies/SDTorlakson07.pdf.
- http://www.tomtorlakson.com/about/labor.html
- http://www.answers.com/topic/tom-torlakson
- http://journalism.berkeley.edu/projects/election2000/state/legis3.html
- http://halfwaytoconcord.com/?s=torlakson