Assembly TV
Speaker Bass: Budget Vote Before Christmas
(Sacramento) - California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), following a meeting with the Governor and other top legislative leaders this afternoon, said she is preparing to hold a vote on a package of budget solutions that includes spending cuts and new revenues before Christmas. The Speaker said she will consider locking the lawmakers in the capitol around the clock to exert pressure on them to reach an agreement on the necessary package of cuts and revenues. Speaker Bass said its time for the Republican lawmakers to get off their ideological box and make the tough decisions now to save the state from fiscal calamity. Here’s more in this Assembly Access video.
Speaker Bass Thanks California Congressional Delegation
(Sacramento) – California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) thanked the five California Democrats serving on the House Appropriations Committee for submitting to the full committee today a list of federal aid items to benefit California. Bass distributed the list during her one-day series of meetings in Washington, D.C. this week. “As the federal economic stimulus packages are being discussed it is vital that the needs of the nation’s largest economic engine are addressed,” Bass said. Here’s more in this Assembly Access video.
Members of Commission on the 21st Century Economy Announced
SACRAMENTO - California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the 12 members of the Commission on the 21st Century Economy. Speaker Bass and Senator Steinberg appointed six of the twelve members of the bipartisan commission. The governor also appointed six members. Speaker Bass says, “While the legislature and governor are working to find solutions to the immediate budget deficit, this commission will be developing important recommendations that can help provide long term stability for the vital services Californians depend on.” Here’s more in this Assembly Access video.
Democrats Show Courage, Republicans Fail Leadership Test.
(Sacramento) - Following a rare late November floor session Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) said she feels Democrats showed courage by voting for a balanced package of budget solutions that included more than $8-billion in painful spending cuts and just over $8-billion in new revenues while the Republican lawmakers continued to deny Californians the responsible leadership they were sent to Sacramento to provide. Speaker Bass says the budget solutions are desperately needed to address the current year budget shortfall, prevent a cash shortage next spring, and significantly lower the projected 2009-2010 budget deficit. Heres more in this Assembly Access Video.
Speaker Bass talks about revenue options proposed by the Governor.
Speaker Bass talks about the need for the Governor to get votes for his proposal.
Speaker Bass says the Governor's proposed cuts would be devastating for working families.
Speaker Bass Economic Commission Created
(Los Angeles) - Speaker Karen Bass today called the newly created bipartisan Commission on the 21st Century Economy, which she proposed months ago, "a key part of the economic stability California badly needs." During a ceremony in Los Angeles Governor Schwarzenegger followed her recommendation and signed Executive Order S-12-08 establishing the Commission. The Commission on the 21st Century Economy will review the state's outdated revenue system and make recommendations to the legislature and governor by April 15, 2009 to bring the state's tax structure into line with the 21st century economy and to stabilize state revenues and reduce volatility.
Speaker Bass Proposed Economic Commission Created
(Los Angeles) - Speaker Karen Bass today called the newly created bipartisan Commission on the 21st Century Economy, which will review the state's outdated revenue system and make recommendations to the legislature and governor for reform, "a key part of the economic stability California badly needs." Speaker Bass' highlighted her proposal to create the Commission during her swearing in ceremony earlier this year. Today Governor Schwarzenegger followed her recommendation and signed Executive Order S-12-08 establishing the Commission on the 21st Century Economy. The commission will report to the legislature and governor by April 15, 2009 recommendations to bring the state's tax structure into line with the 21st century economy and to stabilize state revenues and reduce volatility. Here's video of Speaker Bass talking about the Commission during her swearing in ceremony at the capitol.
Speaker Karen Bass on Special Legislative Session
(Sacramento) - Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) spoke with reporters today following a meeting with the Governor and other top legislative leaders. The Speaker says Assembly Democrats want to focus on improving the state's economy when the State Legislature is called into a special session on November 5th. Speaker Bass says creating more jobs for Californians, preventing even more home foreclosures, shoring up the state's unemployment fund and modernizing the state's tax system will be on the agenda during the special session.
Assembly Passes Budget 61-11
SACRAMENTO -- The California Assembly passed a bipartisan compromise budget this morning at 2:15 a.m. by a vote of 61-11 that protects school funding, prevents draconian cuts in the state’s safety net, and includes a budget reform measure that will go to the voters.
Assembly Speaker Bass Says Governor's State Employee Pay Cut Decision "Unwise"
(Sacramento) -- California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) says Governor Schwarzenegger's decision to withhold the pay of 200,000 state employees until a budget is signed is "disappointing...unwise...and unnecessary." Speaker Bass says the pay cut order from the Governor will cause economic strife to public servants and their families who are working hard and playing by the rules. As we learn in this Assembly Access video the Speaker says the Governor's action will not get in the way of a budget that reflects the values of Californians.
Foster Care Advocates and Stakeholders Call for Overall System Reform
Sacramento - Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, (D-Los Angeles) and the Assembly Select Committee on Foster Care, chaired by Assemblymember Jim Beall, Jr.,(D- San Jose), listened to foster care advocates outline best practices on helping families stay together, providing support for social workers and ensuring the well-being of foster youth and families. Speaker Bass noted that there are approximately 74,000 children in California's Foster Care System. Fifty percent of the children who enter foster care are younger than age 5. According to foster care advocates, far too many children are trapped in the system and remain in foster care until they "age out" at 18. With no place to go, one in four of the youths who age out is incarcerated within two years of leaving foster care, one in five becomes homeless at some time after age 18, only 46% complete high school, a mere 3 % earn a college degree, and just 51% of aged out foster care youths have a job at age 21. More details on this Web Report
Contact:
Steve Maviglio
(916) 319-2783
Californians Want Budget to Reflect Their Values
Californians Want Budget to Reflect Their Values from California Assembly Access on Vimeo.
(Sacramento)– Support for a state budget that reflects real California values is growing throughout the state. From Southern California, through the Central Valley and along the California Coast to the San Francisco Bay Area and the rest of Northern California people are calling on state lawmakers to approve a new state spending plan that funds education, health care, transportation and care for the elderly, blind and disabled. In this Assembly Access video real Californians, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and other top Democratic Assemblymembers make it clear it’s “our values and our future” that must be included in the state budget.
More budget information from the Assembly Democrats can be found here.
Assembly Democrats Protect Education and Health Care
(Sacramento) – Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) surrounded by Assembly Democrats and joined by Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata announced the passing of the budget by the Budget Conference Committee . The plan rejects the Governor’s deep cuts in education and health care and includes $9.7 billion in new revenue, which is $2.7 billion more in new revenue than what the Governor proposed.
The Conference Committee budget is a balanced approach. It closes tax loopholes and rolls back tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy and cracks down on tax cheats. The details on this web report.
More budget information from the Assembly Democrats can be found here.
Foreclosure Relief Bill Headed to Governor’s Desk
(Sacramento) - Legislation by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) and Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) providing immediate relief to homeowners caught in the mortgage crisis is on its way to the Governor’s desk. As we learn in this Assembly Web Report, SB 1137 would require lenders to contact property owners to attempt to avoid foreclosure, provide tenants additional time to move from a foreclosed property and mandate maintenance of foreclosed properties to diminish the impact on the value of neighboring homes. The legislation is an urgency measure, meaning it will become law once the Governor signs it.
Democrats Condemn Republicans' Budget Tactics
(Sacramento) - Republican legislators have made it clear they intend to exploit California’s budget crisis to push through policy goals that are unrelated to the budget situation. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass replied to their proposals with a simple, “Not on my watch.” The Speaker was joined by members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus and advocates for the environment, workers rights and the disabled at a capitol news conference to condemn the GOP efforts to roll back protections. Speaker Bass says what the Republicans are really asking for is dirtier air; less access for the disabled, unprotected workers and damaged crops and tourism. Here’s more in an Assembly Web Report.
Fixing the Foreclosure Crisis
(Sacramento) – As the mortgage meltdown in America continues to cause stress and strain for thousands of families, Assembly Democrats in the California State Legislature are working to reform the mortgage industry, hoping the proposed regulations will mitigate the financial pain. Led by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), Assembly Democrats have crafted a package of legislation designed to change the way home loans are prepared and implemented. Here’s more on the Assembly Democrat’s mortgage crisis relief and reform package in this Assembly Web Report.
Speaker Bass' Los Angeles Inaugural Ceremony
(Sacramento) -- A packed theater in Los Angeles served as the venue for a glorious celebration of Speaker Karen Bass' election to the top post in the California State Assembly, a job considered second only to the Governor in California's political pecking order. Speaker Bass is the first African-American woman in the nation's history to lead a state legislative house. The inaugural celebration in Los Angeles included uplifting songs, soulful prayer, inspiring poetry and passionate speeches praising Speaker Bass. Here's more on the event in this Assembly Web Report. (Speaker Bass was formally sworn in during a ceremony in the state capitol on May 13th, 2008.)
A Celebration of Historic Success
(Sacramento) – This abbreviated version of the story of Assembly Speaker Karen Bass’ rise from community activist in South Los Angeles to the second most powerful job in California politics only begins to explain the dedication and hard work that led to her historic election as the 67th Speaker of the California State Assembly. Speaker Bass is the first African-American woman in the nation’s history to lead a state legislative house. This video was shown to the 1,700 people that attended the Los Angeles Community Inaugural Ceremony on Friday, June 6,2008. (Speaker Bass was formally sworn in during a ceremony in the state capitol on May 13th, 2008.)
California's 67th Speaker Karen Bass is Sworn into office
(Sacramento) – History was made on Tuesday May 13, 2008 under the dome of the California State Capitol when Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) was sworn in as the first African-American female Speaker of the California Assembly. She is the first African-American female to hold such a high legislative post anywhere in the United States. In her speech after the swearing in ceremony Speaker Bass said she’s ready to begin tackling the many challenges facing the state.
California's 67th Speaker Karen Bass Inaugural Speech
Speaker Bass Working For More Federal Funds for California
(Sacramento) – State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) has concluded three days of talks in Washington DC with federal lawmakers in an effort to secure more federal funds for California. California currently receives only 79 cents for every dollar we pay in federal taxes. Speaker Bass met with Senator Dianne Feinstein, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and other members of the California Congressional delegation. The Speaker says her meetings focused on an extension of federal unemployment benefits, assistance for public safety programs, education funding and long-term solutions to California water issues. Bass said she was encouraged by her meetings. Here’s more in this Assembly Web Report.
Speaker Bass Unveils Assembly Democrat’s Budget Plan
(Sacramento) –A capacity crowd filled the Sterling Hotel in downtown Sacramento as Speaker of the California State Assembly Karen Bass made her first appearance before the influential Sacramento Press Club. Speaker Bass chose the occasion to unveil the broad outlines of the Assembly Democratic budget plan. As we learn in this Assembly Web Report Speaker Bass made it clear the next state budget must include cuts AND new revenues.
La Presidenta Bass Presenta el Plan para Enfrentar la Crisis Presupuestaria.
(Sacramento) –La Presidenta de la Asamblea presentó el Plan Demócrata d la Asamblea para resolver la crisis presupuestaria del estado. En su primera presentación ante miembros del Club de Periodístas de Sacramento, la Presidenta Bass hizo públicos una serie de detalles del plan que busca reflejar las prioridades de todos los californianos. El plan incluye recortes y la generación de nuevos ingresos para las arcas públicas.
May Revise Budget Hurts Californians
(Sacramento) – Following this week's release of the Governor's revised budget proposal for 2008-09, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) called for a more balanced, thoughtful approach to balancing the state's books. Speaker Bass, who was sworn in as the 67th Assembly Speaker the day before the Governor released his revised budget, went on to say the Governor's spending plan includes cuts that unfairly hurt struggling California families and solutions that may be no more than risky schemes. However, Speaker Bass added she does applaud the Governor for embracing her proposal for a budget commission that will study ways to bring the state's revenue collection into the 21st century. Assembly Budget Committee Chair John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) also criticized the governor's May Revise proposal, saying it's bad for our economy, lays off teachers and is based on risky assumptions. Here's more in this Assembly Web Report.
Dental Health Key to Student Achievement
(Sacramento) – Good dental health not only results in good smiles, it produces better students. With that in mind Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) met with dental health providers at a low income health clinic in the Bay Area. As we learn in this Assembly Web Report programs to provide dental health care to low income children are facing potential budget cuts.
Assembly Democrats Focus on State Budget During Policy Summit
(Sacramento) – Schools will suffer. Programs for the poor and the elderly will be reduced or eliminated. Parks and beaches will be closed. Those are just a few of the results from Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed across the board 10-percent budget cuts. But, as we learn in this Assembly Web Report, Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles), Speaker-elect Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), Democratic Caucus Chair Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), and Budget Committee Chair John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) are leading the charge by Assembly Democrats to find a more balanced approach to solving California’s financial crisis.
The California Assembly elected Los Angeles Democrat Karen Bass its 67th Speaker
Assembly Democrats Vote for Schools, Republicans Vote for Big Oil
(Sacramento) – The same week thousands of layoff notices were delivered to teachers and school staffs throughout California Assembly Democrats voted for new legislation that would have reduced the number of layoffs by closing the “gusher giveaway” tax break for oil companies. But Assembly Bill 3x 9 failed to get the two-thirds vote needed for passage because Assembly Republicans voted against education and for Big Oil. Just last month the Assembly Republicans also killed an effort to close a tax loophole for wealthy yacht owners. Democrats insist the state’s multi-billion dollar budget deficit be eliminated with a mix of cuts and new revenues, not through the “across the board, spending cuts only” approach proposed by the Governor.
Speaker Elect Karen Bass Talks to the Press
Seniors Facing Rising Rates, Poor Services in Some Assisted Living Facilities
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Democrats, led by Speaker-elect Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), want to see some changes in the way assisted living facilities in California are operated. Current Majority Leader Bass has introduced legislation that will give residents of assisted living facilities more information about how fast rates have been rising in their facilities. And, Assemblymember Lois Wolk (D-Davis) has legislation pending that will require assisted living facilities to be better prepared for emergencies, such as power outages, as well as require the facilities to give residents 60 days notice before raising their rates. We have more on Assembly Bills 2370 and 2101 in this Assembly Web Report.
Assembly Democrats Take Action to Relieve Sub-prime Mortgage Crisis
(Sacramento) - As the sub-prime mortgage crisis continues to ravage families throughout the state and the nation Assembly Democrats are moving forward with legislation to help consumers who are in danger of losing their homes. As we learn in this Assembly Web Report, the Assembly Committee on Banking and Finance has approved legislation from Assemblymembers Ted Lieu, Karen Bass and Alberto Torrico that will require lenders to report how they’re helping consumers who face possible foreclosure, that will keep “foreclosure consultants” from using predatory methods to take advantage of homeowners and that will require lenders to provide more and better notifications to homeowners of expected mortgage payment hikes.
