SACRAMENTO—Responding to the annual State of the State address, Assemblywoman Anna Caballero (D-28) today said the potential for cooperation outlined in the governor’s remarks could signal a successful year in Sacramento – if both parties rise to the occasion.

“In his State of the State address the Governor recognized that Californians agree with many Democratic positions on health care, education and the environment.  There is no question that Californians liked the bipartisan approach and real success of last session,” Assemblywoman Caballero said. “The governor and Democrats have shown the willingness to compromise, and hopefully Republicans will too. We should not allow partisan politics to get in the way of real progress for all Californians.”

Assemblywoman Caballero joined other state legislators, the state’s constitutional officers and members of the California Supreme Court in the Assembly Chambers for the annual State of the State address.  The State of the State address will be followed by the governor’s official release of his 2007-2008 budget proposal on Wednesday.

“While we are still awaiting details on many important proposals, particularly pertaining to the budget, I appreciate the governor’s bipartisan approach,” Caballero said.  Several of the Governor’s key priorities are also my priorities.  A key issue for me is to reinvigorate career tech education.  I also plan to work aggressively to ensure quick payout of the infrastructure bonds the voters approved in November—Californians deserve to see results.”   

“Our job now is to give the governor’s proposals tough scrutiny and make sure the public is a part of the process, and then put real, solid bills on the governor’s desk.”

Assemblywoman Caballero’s expertise in housing and local government was recognized last month, when Speaker Fabian Nunez announced that he had appointed her to chair the Assembly Local Government Committee.  Assemblywoman Caballero’s local government leadership position will provide a platform for work on other key issues: affordable housing, eminent domain reform, and food safety when the Legislature begins its work in earnest over the next several weeks.