The once and future chairman

The Sacramento Bee reports that Anthony Portantino, assemblyman from La Canada-Flintridge, was reinstalled as chairman of the Higher Education Committee after a private discussion with Speaker Fabian Nunez.

Early last month, Nunez stripped Portantino of the title in what appeared to be retribution for his unauthorized campaign to succeed Nunez as speaker. Nunez favored Assemblywoman Karen Bass for the post and, well, she eventually won the nomination.

From the Bee: Portantino said he spoke with Núñez post-removal but didn't divulge any details of the discussion to Capitol Alert.

"I think the speaker did the right thing," he said. "I am happy to have my committee back to focus on the issues that I care about deeply, which is mainly helping to educate our children."