Bob Moretti

Moretti was first elected to the California State Assembly in 1964 at the age of 28, making him the youngest member of the Assembly at that time.[4] In the Assembly, Moretti represented Van Nuys.[4] In 1970, he chaired the Assembly's Democratic Campaign Committee.[5]

Seen as a protege of Assembly Speaker Jesse Unruh, Moretti was first elected Speaker in 1971 and quickly emerged as a staunch opponent of Republican Governor Ronald Reagan.[1][4] Moretti's initial resistance to Reagan, however, gave way some cooperation, particularly on the issue of welfare costs. Seeking to reach a deal, Moretti purportedly told Reagan, "I don't like you particularly and I know you don't like me but we don't have to be in love to work together." Moretti and Reagan eventually developed a sense of mutual respect that culminated in the 1971 California Welfare Reform Act.[2]

In 1973, Moretti emerged as a leading figure in the successful campaign to defeat Reagan's Proposition 1, a ballot initiative to set state spending and taxes using formulas. Seen as a vehicle to enhance Reagan's national profile ahead of a possible run for president, Moretti and other opponents argued the proposition would force drastic cuts in state services and force local governments to raise property taxes.[6][7][8]

In 1974, Moretti was a candidate for the office of Governor of California but was defeated in the Democratic primary by Jerry Brown, who went on to win the general election.[4]