State Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, left, answers questions after being named to take over the Senate leadership, during a Capitol news conference, in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008. Democrats in the state Senate selected Steinberg to replace Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, who will be termed out of office later this year. Perata will remain as Pro Tem until Aug 21, when Democrats make it permanent in a caucus vote. At right is state Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)