Guv's Top Legislative Aide To Leave
The transitions of top staffers has begun at the Capitol... with the biggest departure being Governor Schwarzenegger's top liaison to the Legislature heading back to the private sector.
Richard Costigan, who has been Schwarzenegger's legislaive affairs secretary since 2003, is leaving next month to head up the new Sacramento office of international law firm McKenna Long & Aldridge.
Costigan, a former top lobbyist for the California Chamber of Commerce, has been at the center of virtually every legislative negotiation between the GOP governor and the Democratically controlled Legislature. No word yet on his replacement.
In a statement this afternoon, the governor said the following: "Richard is one of the most talented, hardest working individuals I have ever worked with. He has served me and the people of California well and has been an integral part of my senior team since day one. He has served tirelessly and with the highest level of integrity -- I wish him the best in his new adventure."
