ASSEMBLYMEMBER KAREN BASS
47TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
For Immediate Release: July 29, 2008
Contact: Steve Maviglio
Phone: (916) 319-2783

SACRAMENTO – Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) today issued the following response to the Governor’s decision to withhold the pay of 200,000 state employees until a budget is signed:

"I'm disappointed with the Governor's decision. It is an unwise and unfortunate move to cause economic strife to public servants and their families who are working hard and playing by the rules. We are not going to let this decision get in the way of our mission which is to deliver a budget that reflects the values of Californians. We are continuing to make progress and I remain hopeful we will have a budget on his desk in the next few days." 

Below are two website addresses for relevant budget information:

• Budget Website for California Democratic Caucus
  http://adc.asm.ca.gov/issues/budget/
  
• Website of Speaker Karen Bass
  www.asm.ca.gov/bass

Here are links to audio of Speaker Bass:

• Speaker Karen Bass’ complete opening statement to media. (1:20)
  http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Newsline/Audio/20080731BudgetBass1.mp3
  
  
• Speaker Karen Bass says the Governor’s action today is unnecessary because there’s already enough pressure to get a budget finalized and says the Legislature has been working hard to solve the state’s fiscal crisis.
  http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Newsline/Audio/20080731BudgetBass2.mp3
  
  
• Speaker Karen Bass says she’s concerned the Governor’s action today will hurt state services and the economy.
  http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Newsline/Audio/20080731BudgetBass3.mp3
  
  
• Speaker Karen Bass says the key to solving California’s budget crisis is deciding how to bring in more revenue to the state.
  http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Newsline/Audio/20080731BudgetBass4.mp3