ASSEMBLYMEMBER KAREN BASS
47TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
For Immediate Release: May 16, 2008
Contact: Richard Stapler
Phone: (916) 319-2047

SACRAMENTO -- Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) today announced three appointments to her leadership team.

• Assemblymember Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) was named Assistant Speaker pro Tem, filling a vacancy that was left open since the resignation of Assemblymember Laura Richardson, who was elected to Congress;

• Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) was named Chairperson-designee of the Assembly Budget Committee; and

• Assemblymember Kevin De León (D-Los Angeles) was named Chairperson-designee of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

“This experienced team has the respect of colleagues from both sides of the aisle,” said Speaker Bass. “They will provide the stability, energy, and leadership to guide the Assembly.”

The current chairs of the two committees, Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) at Budget and Assemblymember Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) at Appropriations, will continue with their full duties until December. The two committee announcements were made today to provide a smooth transition until the new members assume their posts in December.

Speaker Bass said she would name other committee chairs later in the year. The only committee vacancy, Elections and Redistricting, caused by the naming of Assemblymember Curren Price to the Governmental Organization Committee earlier this week, will be filled next week.

“I greatly appreciate the faith that Speaker Bass is placing in me and will work tirelessly to earn that faith that's been placed in me,” said Assistant Majority Leader Kevin De León. “We have enormous challenges ahead, and I am anxious to get to work supporting the Speaker's efforts to address them.”

“We face many budget challenges in California. Each year, we move from one fiscal crisis to another,” Assemblymember Noreen Evans, current chair of the Democratic Caucus said. “I wholeheartedly support the Speaker’s efforts to enact real budget reforms to put us on a strong financial footing to make California better for our children, and I look forward to working with her to accomplish that ambitious goal.”

“Accepting this position is part of my commitment to support Speaker Bass,” said Assistant Speaker Pro Tem Saldaña. “I look forward to working with Assemblywoman Lieber, improving my skills and contributing to our work in the Chamber.”