(Sacramento) –  Assemblymember Sandré R. Swanson (D-Alameda) assumed leadership of the California Legislative Black Caucus this month, becoming the first Northern California representative in over a decade to assume the chairmanship.  In addition to this new role, Swanson continues his responsibilities as Chair of the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee, and member of the Budget Committee, including the sub-committees on Education Finance and State Administration.

“I am honored that my colleagues have entrusted me with this incredible responsibility.  We face enormous challenges in this state, and I look forward to addressing them with my colleagues in the coming months,”  stated Assemblymember Swanson.

Swanson will become chair for the 2009-2010 term when the new legislative session begins on December 1st, 2008.  Southern California Assemblymember Curren Price (D-Inglewood) will become the vice-chair.  The Legislative Black Caucus currently has eight members, including six from the Assembly and two from the Senate. 

Assemblymember Mervyn Dymally (D-Compton), the longest-serving African-American legislator in the state and a former chair of the Black Caucus welcomed the incoming chair.  “I was very pleased with Assemblymember Swanson’s election.  With his leadership, I am sure that the Caucus will lead the way in crafting a proactive agenda that will benefit all citizens in our State.”

After being sworn in, Swanson will hold a strategic planning session to set the Caucus’ statewide agenda, which will include increasing caucus membership, setting legislative priorities, and addressing economic issues in the coming term.

By far the greatest challenge facing the state is a looming budget deficit, now pegged at $28 billion over the next 20 months by the Legislative Analyst’s Office.  Negotiations to address part of this shortfall in the current year’s budget is currently under way, although little visible movement has occurred on the Governor’s proposed mix of cuts and revenue increases.

“This is a crisis that affects the entire state. Yet, as difficult as this task is, it is an opportunity to recast our priorities to ensure that government plays a prominent role in mitigating the impact of this serious economic downturn on our working families.  The Legislative Black Caucus will be actively engaged in setting those priorities and shaping the economic stimulus package that must come out of our budget negotiations.” Swanson contended. 

Elements of such a package are still under discussion, but Swanson saw the need to make education a top priority, along with job creation, as necessary pieces of the negotiations.  Swanson also mentioned reigning in the State’s prison budget as an additional priority, as it is currently on track to outpace spending on higher education in a few years.  He stated that any plans to address the prison budget would have to include lowering recidivism rates through better rehabilitation strategies, including job creation and wrap-around services. 

With these issues affecting citizens throughout the state, Swanson announced that the Caucus will work closely with the Latino and Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucuses on these issues. “Given these economic conditions, it is now more important than ever that we develop a tri-caucus strategy to address the needs of communities most severely impacted by this economic downturn and budget deficit,” stated Swanson.

Legislatively, Assemblymember Swanson said his hope is that the Caucus will focus on better educational opportunities for new students and adults changing careers, job creation through a comprehensive state infrastructure strategy, meaningful home foreclosure measures, as well as initiatives to reduce youth violence and protect vulnerable youth, especially those who live in the foster care system. 

Additionally, Swanson pledged that the Caucus would continue its meetings with Governor Schwarzenegger on creating a more diverse judicial system.  The Caucus met with the Governor earlier this year on the issue, as his ability to appoint judges plays a key role in creating a judicial body that more closely reflects the general population.

Facing the challenge of funding these initiatives, Swanson stated, “In addition to setting our budget priorities, we must lobby the Federal Government to reinvest in California.  Right now, we send $50 billion more to Washington than  we get back in Federal programs and aid.  I am optimistic that President-Elect Obama will be more responsive to our needs than the previous administration, and I look forward to working with the new administration and our leaders in Congress on an economic strategy that benefits the state,” Swanson concluded.

For more information about the California Legislative Black Caucus, please visit: http://www.assembly.ca.gov/lbcweb/