SACRAMENTO – Assembly Majority Leader Karen Bass’ legislation that addressed disparity gaps outlined in the State of Black California Report was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger earlier this month.

“In the year of health care reform, I am disappointed in the Governor’s decision to veto these crucial bills that would have served as solutions to addressing the egregious health disparity gaps that exist in this state,” states Majority Leader Bass. “We cannot continue to let the most vulnerable communities suffer disproportionately due to their race and/or economic status. It’s a travesty that people who need the most resources and information are not be able to get it. The Governor’s action illustrates the need to push our community’s issues and concerns to the forefront to ensure they get addressed.”  

Assembly Bill 658 (Homicide Prevention Study/Pilot Programs) would have addressed the disproportionate rate of African American male homicide rates throughout the state particularly in the inner city. The bill calls for the establishment of pilot programs in Oakland and Los Angeles, which has the highest rates of homicide among Black males. As a whole, the black male homicide rate is 10 times that of white males.

Assembly Bill 741 (Infant Mortality Reduction Strategies) would have established pilot programs to address the infant mortality rates of African-Americans. The Infant Mortality Rate of Blacks in California mirror rates of third world countries with approximately 11 babies not making it to their first birthday out of every 1,000 African American live births. In contrast, the white infant mortality rate is 4 out of 1,000 live births. 

Karen Bass has been a State Assembly Member representing Los Angeles’ 47th District since 2005. Speaker Fabian Núñez selected Bass as the Majority Leader for the California State Assembly during the 2007-2008 legislative session, making her the first African American and the first woman to hold this leadership position. As the Assemblymember for the 47th District, Karen Bass serves the cities and communities of Culver City, West Los Angeles, Westwood, Cheviot Hills, Leimert Park, Baldwin Hills, Windsor Hills, Ladera Heights, the Crenshaw District, Little Ethiopia and portions of Korea Town and South Los Angeles.