Rishoff accepts position offered by Assemblywoman
By John Loesing
Acorn Staff Writer

Louise Rishoff

Taxes, transportation, education; Agoura Hills City Councilwoman Louise Rishoff hears the issues that people care about.

But now Rishoff has become a sounding board for more than just one city.

The 59-year-old lawyer recently took a job as staff director for the state’s 41st Assembly District, an area that includes Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Calabasas, Hidden Hills and Malibu.

Rishoff’s boss is former Agoura Hills mayor and city councilwoman Fran Pavley, the district’s newly elected assemblywoman.

The two served together on the city council from 1987 to 1997 and have been longtime friends and ideological partners on issues such as the protecting the environment and improving transportation.

Rishoff left her Woodland Hills law practice of 21 years and joined Pavley’s Encino office two weeks ago. The 41st District expects to move its local headquarters to Woodland Hills soon.

"I love it," said Rishoff. "I’m tired of practicing law and even though there’s a pay cut, that was fine. This isn’t about money, it’s about doing something that I thought sounded awfully interesting."

Rishoff said her salary would be in the $58,000 to $70,000 range. Pavley’s first-year budget for office and personnel expenses is $264,000.

Rishoff said her 51-year-old brother Stephen will take over her law practice clients.

As district director, Rishoff will act as Pavley’s chief representative to the community. So far, Rishoff has been fielding phone calls from officials and constituents on a wide array of topics.

"We are getting a lot of calls about utility deregulation," Rishoff said. "The basic message is, ‘Fix it.’"

When the legislature reconvenes Jan. 3, Pavley hopes to be appointed to committees in areas where she has expertise, such as education, natural resources and local government.

"We sent out letters to the seven cities in this jurisdiction, including school districts and park agencies, for ideas on some of the issues they will confront this next year and see if it will match any potential legislation that would facilitate their goals," Pavley said.

Rishoff and Pavley, both Democrats, plan to work together closely during the two-year legislative term.

"I’ve respected and admired Fran for 15 years." Rishoff said. "I know that when she asks me to do something, I know what that means. She trusts me and that’s a good starting point."

In the meantime, Rishoff will continue to serve her fourth term on the city council. Last year, she was the Agoura Hills mayor.

Craig Steele, Agoura Hills city attorney, said Rishoff’s appointment to Pavley’s staff presents no conflict of interest.

"It’s not an issue at all," Steele said. "There is no law that prohibits an elected official from taking a staff job … with just being a public employee of one entity and being an elected official of another."

"I’m not in a policy position here," Rishoff said. "Fran makes the policy and I am staff. I support whatever decisions she makes."

The address of Pavley’s new Sacramento office is: State Capitol, Room 5144, Sacramento, CA, 94249-0041. Locally, Pavley and Rishoff can be reached at (818) 501-8991.