California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass: These Are Not Ordinary Times

But this year all of us – Democrats and Republicans --will face the challenge of acknowledging our ideology---acknowledging all those commitments and pledges we made during our campaign---We face the challenge of acknowledging this then taking a real hard objective look at the crisis we face. And then we face the challenge of putting our ideology aside and doing what we need to do for California.

Remembering the oath that we just swore to uphold is the single most important pledge we can hope to take as a member of this body.

If we put the people first we owe it to them to keep this state running and to get California’s economic engine back in gear to help lead a national recovery. And we don’t have a lot of time.

As the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst notes, while anything we do regarding the deficit has economic consequences, the consequences of doing nothing --or not doing enough-- are even worse. And remember the Analyst has made it very clear-- the sooner we act the smaller the problem.

To aid us in moving forward, Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg along with Leader Villines, will be calling an extraordinary joint session of the Assembly and Senate for an objective public briefing from Treasurer Lockyer, Controller Chiang and the Department of Finance regarding the current economic situation and the looming cash crisis.

I am also pleased the four leaders in both houses joined in establishing two short-term bodies to help spur economic recovery and reform in California.

The California Economic Recovery Task Force, working in conjunction with the respected Public Policy Institute of California will move quickly to propose to the legislature this month policies that can stimulate California’s economy.

The bipartisan Commission on the 21st Century Economy will report back by April 15 with recommendations to modernize the state’s outdated revenue system. These are important tools in addressing the state’s needs for short term recovery and long term stability.

I have also asked Assemblymember Hector de la Torre to lead a new committee – with members from both parties -- that will take a hard look at the state’s expenditures. And we will be providing you with more details about that important new committee.

We should all be very mindful the clock is ticking---We need to use our time to solve problems.

Members, as your Speaker I pledge to you that the Assembly will continue to run professionally and with civility. Leader Villines and I will continue our respectful relationship that allows this house to function and allows us to disagree without being disagreeable.

I pledge to work closely with my new colleague in the Senate, President pro tem Darrell Steinberg, to minimize the unnecessary inter-house frictions that can get in the way of good work product.

I pledge to work with the Governor in a mutually respectful way that allows for resolution of differences in a productive manner.

“And most of all, members, I pledge to do whatever I can to help you help the people we came here to represent.

To those people….to the people of the great state of California….I want to close by saying this: We know the struggles you are having. And we will step up and do the right thing to help ease those burdens. We also know your sense of hope and optimism– displayed most prominently in this historic election. And we will build on that optimism and make sure your hope has a solid foundation in reality.

As our new President has said help is on the way.

These are not ordinary times. But California has prevailed through tough times before. And with your spirit, your vigilance and, yes, your pressure – this Assembly and this legislature will do the right thing to ensure that our state can once again prevail.