Tom Torlakson

Tom Torlakson
27th State Superintendent of Public Instruction of California
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2011
Governor	Jerry Brown
Preceded by	Jack O'Connell
Member of the California State Assembly from the 11th district
In office December 1, 2008 – November 30, 2010
Preceded by	Mark DeSaulnier
Succeeded by	Susan Bonilla
In office December 2, 1996 – November 30, 2000
Preceded by	Bob Campbell
Succeeded by	Joe Canciamilla
Member of the California State Senate from the 7th district
In office December 4, 2000 – November 30, 2008
Preceded by	Richard Rainey
Succeeded by	Mark DeSaulnier
Personal details
Born	(1949-07-19) July 19, 1949 San Francisco, California
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	UC Berkeley
Profession	Politician Teacher

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.

Background

Torlakson is a second generation San Francisco Bay Area 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.

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 Association. 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 Antioch 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 III, 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.

State Senate

First campaign

Torlakson was elected to the California State Senate 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.

First term

During his first term in the State Senate, Torlakson supported legislation that merged the Association of Bay Area Governments 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.

Leadership battle

Torlakson supported Senator Martha Escutia 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.

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 DeSaulnier 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 Instruction 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.

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 Waste, 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

• Interview on PMAKid.com
• State Assembly Website
• http://www.ucop.edu/state/advocacy/biographies/SDTorlakson07.pdf.
• [1]
• http://www.answers.com/topic/tom-torlakson
• http://journalism.berkeley.edu/projects/election2000/state/legis3.html
• http://halfwaytoconcord.com/?s=torlakson