SACRAMENTO – Amongst the 120 California legislators sworn in today at the Capitol, Assemblymember Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) took her place as the new Majority Floor Leader, making her the first African American and first woman to hold the leadership position for the state of California.

The Majority Floor Leader represents the Speaker on the Floor, expedites Assembly Floor proceedings through parliamentary procedures such as motions and points of order and promotes harmony among the membership.The Los Angeles legislator stepped into her new role by serving as an official during today’s ceremonies.

“This was an exciting day for everyone and it was a privilege to be part of it,” states Assemblymember Bass . “I look forward to working with my colleague old and new.”

The second-term California legislator represents the 47^th Assembly District. Since taking office, Assemblymember Bass has made Foster Care Reform her top priority. As chair of the Select Committee on Foster Care, she has organized bipartisan participation that has resulted in a legislative package of 25 bills focusing on improving the state’s Foster Care System. She also has helped secure $82 million in the 2006/2007 state budget for Foster Care Reform, which is the largest increased allocation in more than a decade and develop new laws to help improve the System.

Assemblymember Bass , who is the vice chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, commissioned a report to research the basic demographic profile of Black Californians including the basic social and economic conditions. The State of Black California report included a statewide organizing effort to involve Black Californians in identifying their concerns and making legislative recommendations.      

Governor Schwarzenegger has signed ten of Assemblymember Bass ’ bills into law focusing on Foster Care reform; Healthy Families Insurance Coverage to help prevent children from going without health insurance; a small business policy that removes red tape by preventing businesses from filling out duplicate certification forms for the city and state; and a measure that expands the Baldwin Hills Conservancy.           

“We were very productive during the last session but it’s imperative that we continue to move the agenda forward. Our accomplishments should serve as the beginning steps to our ultimate goal to address the needs of all Californians as well as ensure that each citizen has an opportunity to enjoy a good quality of life,” states Bass on her expectations for the next legislative session.

Assemblymember Bass has a history of implementing a high standard for change. In 1992, she founded the Community Coalition in direct response to the devastation of the drug epidemic and “war on drugs” on South Los Angeles .  As a Physician Assistant in the nation’s largest trauma center, Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center, she saw the despair and violence unleashed by the crack cocaine epidemic.

Under Bass’ leadership, the Community Coalition prevented, eliminated and converted dozens of local liquor stores, closed motels known as drug trafficking centers, improved the quality and selection of foods in local supermarkets, and secured millions of dollars in repairs to local schools. Today, the organization is recognized as a national model for grassroots organizing and a center for training the next generation of social justice activists and leaders.     

Her approach has served her well as an activist, a community leader and a State Legislator. Assemblymember Bass ’ results at every level are a testimony to her effectiveness.