ASSEMBLYMEMBER KAREN BASS
47TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
For Immediate Release: August 3 , 2008
Contact: Steve Maviglio
Phone: (916) 319-2408

(Sacramento) – California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) met with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland) and the top two Republican legislators Sunday evening for further discussions on the state's budget situation. Following the 90 minute “Big 5” meeting, Assembly Speaker Bass told reporters she was encouraged by the discussions and is pleased everyone seems to agree that the state's $15-billion deficit will not be closed with cuts alone. The Speaker says Democrats will continue to protect what Californians care about: Education, Health Care, Public Safety and infrastructure and says she's hopeful a budget plan for 2008-2009 fiscal year will be finalized within the next couple of weeks.

Here are links to audio of Speaker Bass:

• Assembly Speaker Karen Bass says each of the leaders realize new revenue is needed to close the state's deficit. (mp3)
  
  
• Assembly Speaker Karen Bass says the Big 5 conversation is now focused on revenues. (mp3)
  
  
• Assembly Speaker Karen Bass says she supports some budget reforms but not others. (mp3)
  
  
• Assembly Speaker Karen Bass says she was encouraged by Sunday evening's Big 5 meeting. (mp3)