[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

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.)

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Her politics are personal and rooted in her work as a community organizer

By Frank D. Russo

You had to be there. In fact, you can be there by watching the standing ovations and laudatory remarks by Democrats and Republicans—and a wonderful heartfelt speech by Karen Bass as she assumed the role of the second highest office in the state of California—the Speakership of the California State Assembly. This was a day that history was made as the first African-American woman to lead a state legislative body in the United States took over the helm.

Karen Bass has a lot of new friends as a result of being Speaker. Governor Schwarzenegger was on hand to witness the ceremony and sat on the dais along with five former Speakers of the Assembly, state constitutional officers, and even the President pro Tem of the Oregon Senate. After saying he would miss Fabian Nunez, who had just joined a “fraternity” of former speakers—one day to expand to be a sorority also--said wonderful things about her. So did Mike Villines, the Assembly Republican leader—who thanked Nunez for the collegial style in which the house had been run and then spoke of the Assembly and Bass in terms of friendships.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

You probably heard already that Karen Bass made history yesterday whenshe was sworn in as the first African-American woman speaker inCalifornia history, as the Los Angeles Times reports. She is to be commended and congratulated, but not envied: the months ahead for the Assembly will not be easy.

How quickly Arnold has changed his tune. Administration officials told the Sacramento Bee that the Governor will release a budget that borrows from state lottery income, but does not short-change our schools or close down 48 state parks.Speaker Bass has already called the plan "risky," so we'll see how farit goes.

Before you can say "no-tax pledge," the LA Times reports that Arnold has an alternative to the lottery proposal: a sales-tax increase. The Governor deserves credit for his willingness to bend with thetimes, although it is difficult to be so optimistic about the GOPcaucus.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Today, Speaker Karen Bass was sworn in as California's 67th Assembly Speaker. Here are her remarks:

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Today, beginning at noon, Speaker Karen Bass was sworn in as California's 67th Assembly Speaker. Here are her remarks:

"To the former Speakers who joined me today as my escorts -- you honor us with your presence the way your service honored this house and this state. Thank you for taking the time to be here today. Since I have been in the legislature I have sought each of you for your guidance, critique and solidarity. And I thank you for that -- and assume you’ll be available for many more phone calls.
 
Members ... honored guests ... dear friends and family ... since my election on February 28th to be the 67th Speaker of the Assembly, I have had the opportunity and experience to be part of an incredible transition --  part of a complex and comprehensive process of receiving the torch from the 66th Speaker of the Assembly, Fabian Núñez.
 
I know the job ahead of me as Speaker will be both easier and harder because of the example set by Speaker Núñez.

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