Thanks to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s extended State of Emergency, the California State Assembly is turning into a Witness Protection Program.

Although, to be fair, most Californians could probably still pick Gavin Newsom out of a line-up.

He’d be the one not wearing a mask.

According to a recent report from CalMatters, practically everyone in the state legislature is looking for a new gig.

Some California lawmakers are term-limited-out, others are seeking higher office, and some are rats abandoning a sinking ship – which, in our case, is the Pacific Princess.

The latest tally shows a departure of 22 Assembly members and state senators, who have either opted not to seek reelection, or have already called it quits.

This count doesn’t include the seven members (all senators) who are barred from seeking reelection in 2022 by legislative term limits, or Murrieta Republican Kelly Seyarto and Orange County Republican Janet Nguyen – both of whom are hoping to jump from the Assembly to the Senate.

In all, 21 Democrats, seven Republicans, and one independent are peacing-out.

If this trend continues, nobody’s going to want to serve in the Assembly or Senate.  We’ll have to make it like jury duty:  everybody in California has to take a turn unless they have a good excuse.

Either that or we could use a good old fashioned temp agency like Kelly Girls to fill those legislative seats.

After the November election there will be at least 28 new legislators, out of 120 total.

All of this leads to the question — why doesn’t anyone want to serve in the California legislature?

A new map, thanks to a once-in-a-decade redistricting, has a lot to do with it, as do term limits, and the allure of running for higher office.  But has anyone considered this possibility?  Nobody wants to stick around…because there’s nothing to do.

California has been under a state of emergency since March 4, 2020. Since then, Newsom has authorized billions of dollars in emergency spending and issued at least 47 executive orders to alter or suspend 200 state laws and regulations, under the guise of necessity because of the pandemic.

Since COVID, the California Senate and Assembly have become totally irrelevant in the decision making process.

Alas, they seem perfectly content to sit on the sidelines even longer.

In February, the Assembly voted to keep in place Gov. Gavin Newsom’s COVID-19 state of emergency, striking down a GOP effort led by Assemblyman Kevin Kiley.

Predictably, a handful of hapless Assembly Republicans and Independent Chad Mayes couldn’t even be bothered to cast a vote.

The Legislature is happy to circumvent the separation of powers and give Newsom unlimited power, be it out of a combination of partisan loyalty, or the ability to have someone to blame – other than themselves – if things go south.

But, if you’re an elected member of the California Legislature and you have no say over state government, what’s the point of being there?

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I guess you could say the money’s good, the perks are great, but nobody’s ever heard of you, your life has no meaning, and there’s nothing to do.

It’s like being married to Tom Cruise.

The state legislature used to be filled with larger-than-life personalities, like Jess Unruh and Willie Brown. Does anyone honestly think that if Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon or Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins walked down Hollywood Boulevard today anyone would know who they are?

And why should they?  They have about as much power over state government as the guy in the Superman costume.

They will be remembered for devaluing their institution and rendering themselves powerless.

No wonder their members are heading for the turnstiles.

John Phillips can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on “The John Phillips Show” on KABC/AM 790.