SPEAKER-ELECT SEEN HELPING STATE CLOUT.

Byline: LISA FRIEDMAN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Nancy Pelosi was unanimously named speaker-elect by House Democrats on Thursday in a move widely expected to significantly boost the Golden State's influence in the nation's Capitol.

Pelosi, 66, is the first Californian and first woman to be named to the post, which she will formally step into in January and become second in the line of succession to the presidency.

Traditionally, the House speaker enjoys broad powers and personal prestige. And Pelosi, who will take the gavel from Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., will assume the authority to set the House's legislative agenda and choose who chairs powerful committees.

The post could mean an influx of new funds and attention to California industries ranging from agriculture to defense.

``The speaker really has to work for the interests of the country. Having said that, California is part of the country,'' said Alan Gitelson, a political science professor at Loyola University Chicago. ``There will be many opportunities for Congresswoman Pelosi to bring policy advantages to the state.''

Gitelson said Hastert used his influence to steer money to Illinois as well as lend a concerned ear to the state's delegation on everything from construction projects to pollution in the Great Lakes.

And California lawmakers of both parties said they have high hopes for the state's fortunes under Pelosi.

``We should have an unprecedented level of influence in the House just because of our sheer numbers and because our speaker now comes from California,'' said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena. ``If we can harness those numbers and that authority, California will certainly benefit.''

Schiff said Pelosi's position will make some specific differences in legislation, particularly on one of his bills aimed at expanding the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

The legislation passed the Senate and a key House committee, but was blocked from coming to the House floor under Hastert.

``She will be in a unique position to put California's needs on the front burner,'' Rep. David Dreier, R-Glendora said. ``To have the first woman speaker be a Californian should make us all proud.''

Other programs and issues that could gain include federal reimbursement to the states for the costs of incarcerating illegal immigrants, a budget item that President George W. Bush tries to eliminate each year.

California Republicans, often led by Dreier, have succeeded every year in reinstating funding.

Democrats said they believe having a speaker from a state that understands the need for that money will further increase the chances of boosting those levels.

``We may have the best opportunity now with our new speaker and a governor who has made an effort to reach out,'' Schiff said. ``Our delegation may be more united than ever.''

Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, warned that Pelosi's ascension might not mean dramatic changes for the area in which California most frequently finds itself short-changed: formula funding.

He noted the formulas that make California a donor state -- getting 79 cents back for every dollar -- stem mainly from the fact that the state has a relatively young and wealthy population.

Pelosi's leadership, Sherman predicted, can make things ``incrementally better for California'' in areas in which formula funding is used.

Tim Ransdell, executive director of the California Institute for Federal Policy, agreed.

Pelosi's new position, he said, is ``enormously significant'' for California but ``it may not be a magic wand.''

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