Vasconcellos Has Cosmic Idea for State’s Future : Assembly: Legislator who chairs powerful Ways and Means Committee wants department chiefs to present a vision for California when they come asking for money.

SACRAMENTO —  The father of the Task Force to Promote Self-Esteem is at it again.

This time Assemblyman John Vasconcellos, chairman of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, wants directors of state agencies to take a cosmic view of broad social problems and report back to him.

Faced with making deep cuts in state services because of a $1.6-billion budget shortfall, the Legislature’s leading budget writer said he wants help in making the state “visionary and forward-looking, pro-active and pragmatic.”

The veteran Santa Clara Democrat wants department heads to show up for budget hearings ready to tell him how they can help California realize “the promise of a multicultural democracy,” develop “a commitment to a learning society,” and, of course, come up with new ways to boost self-esteem among the state’s citizens, prison inmates and school students.

Vasconcellos made his request to department chiefs in a two-page letter that drew on a number of diverse elements that he called “stunning challenges,” such as the upheaval in Eastern Europe, ethnic shifts in the state’s population, illiteracy, high technology and the problems of crime, substance abuse, teen-age pregnancy and the failure of the educational system.

Actually, many of its suggestions reflect down-to-earth concerns. California is bracing for reductions in defense spending expected as the result of the easing of Cold War tensions. There is widespread concern about a 15% illiteracy rate among the state’s labor force. And it’s motherhood and apple pie for a politician to say he wants to stay on top of the technology revolution and prevent deep-rooted social problems.

But the tone and the message were pure Vasconcellos. And, from the sound of it, the man widely regarded as the Legislature’s leading visionary means business.

Vasconcellos is probably best known as the prime mover of the California Task Force to Promote Self-Esteem and Personal and Social Responsibility, an effort to get at some of society’s deepest problems by improving people’s self-image. The task force won national attention after it was parodied in the comic strip “Doonesbury.”

“I tend to go beyond the routine and look into the future,” Vasconcellos said Tuesday in response to his budget edict. “I am finishing my first decade as Ways and Means chair and for the next decade, I think we should look beyond our current problems and into the future.”

Even though Vasconcellos’ manifestoes usually are accompanied by a fair amount of snickering in the Capitol, reaction--at least in public--was muted Tuesday. No one was jumping at the chance to comment.

When comments came, they generally reflected respect for Vasconcellos--and the power he wields as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. Every state agency must go through the committee to get its budget approved. And Vasconcellos, despite the mellow tone of his New Age pronouncements, has a legendary temper that no one wants to risk setting off.

James Rowland, director of the state Department of Corrections, when asked for comment, said: “We support the importance of self-esteem and we are looking at our current correctional programs--academic, pre-release and substance abuse programs--to strengthen the self-esteem portion (of the programs).”

Assemblyman William P. Baker (R-Danville), the vice chairman of Ways and Means and one of the leaders of the opposition party, was one of those who declined comment. “I’ve got to live with the guy,” he said.

The committee chairman’s staff reported that they had received little feedback from state department directors Tuesday.

Asked what he would do if he gets no cooperation, Vasconcellos said, “I’d just as soon not have to face that. I would hope they find the letter constructive. It ought to be to their advantage to engage in this kind of discussion.”

In his letter, Vasconcellos expressed typical enthusiasm. “I look forward to our working collaboratively and smartly toward this goal! I wish you well. Let me know if/when/how I can help.”