Capitol Alert

Here's a compilation of reactions after the Assembly officially voted Assemblywoman Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, as the next speaker of the Assembly:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger:
“I congratulate Assemblymember Bass on her historic election as speaker of the California State Assembly. In becoming our state’s first female African-American speaker, she serves as an inspiration to every citizen of this great state.

“Speaker Núñez and I have worked together on a number of issues during his tenure including AB 32 and comprehensive health care reform and he has been a dedicated and tireless leader for the Assembly and the people of California. I look forward to building on this partnership with Assemblymember Bass in her new role and achieving the same kinds of bipartisan successes on the important issues facing Californians.”

Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez

“The wisdom of the Caucus is going to break the glass ceiling, to say, finally we’re going to elect a Democratic woman to be the Speaker of the California Assembly. We are going to not only write a new chapter in California history, but I’ve been told we’re going to write a new chapter in American history by electing the first African-American woman in the history of this nation to be the Speaker of a state legislative body.”

Assembly Republican leader Mike Villines:
“I congratulate Karen Bass for earning the confidence of her colleagues to become the next Speaker of the California State Assembly in this historic election. I look forward to working with her to build a stronger California. I also want to thank Speaker Nunez for his service to the people of California and offer him and his family the very best as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

“The Legislature is facing many difficult challenges this year, especially in the face of California’s $16 billion budget deficit. Working together, I am confident that we can face these challenges head on and do the right thing for California’s hard working families.”

Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus:

“It is with the deepest sense of pride and exultation that I extend my heartfelt congratulations to my friend and colleague, Karen Bass, on her history-making step into the storied annals of California politics as Speaker-elect of the California State Assembly.

“This is cause for boisterous celebration by people throughout our entire state. We now know that the phrase – ‘Change We Can Believe In’ – is not the sole property of a political movement of national import and significance.

“With Karen Bass’s election as Assembly Speaker, we are witnessing, at this historic moment, our own unique brand of ‘Golden State Change We Can Believe In’.

“Karen is a leader with whom we can thoroughly entrust our future. She will confidently and assertively promote policies, programs and perspectives to benefit the people of the State of California.

“She will advance a people’s agenda marked by her signature style of steady, caring sensibility with an unwavering desire to find common ground among opponents to achieve a common good.

“I have known and worked with Karen for more than 20 years. She turned a small, little-known nonprofit community-based organization in South Los Angeles advocating for substance abuse prevention into a powerhouse for neighborhood organizing and activism to promote a community’s quality of life in urban communities.

“Under Karen’s leadership, the runaway train of liquor stores on every block in South Los Angeles was stopped in its tracks, paving way for new small businesses whose daily commerce helped reduce crime rather than inflame it.

“She had the same impact on motels that operated next to neighborhood homes, schools and parks that had routinely injected vice into South Los Angeles and brazenly housed and hawked prostitution on their nearby streets. Karen brought these motel owner’s unlawful and unseemly business practices to a halt through organized community resistance that demanded change and local prosecutions.

“There is no challenge in our state too great for Karen’s skills and determination. If you have any doubt, ask any one of the thousands of foster children who reside in California. Karen made all of them her children within the influential corridors of influence in the State Capitol. Her dogged concern and caring led her to introduce, pass and have signed into law landmark reforms for our state’s foster care system.

“With Karen Bass at the helm of the State Assembly, we can all be assured that California is in good hands and we will all experience the best of political embraces. It is for these reasons, and many more, that I will be forever proud to call my esteemed friend and colleague, Madame Speaker.”

California Democratic Party Chair Art Torres:

“The California Democratic Party congratulates Assemblywoman Karen Bass on her historic election by her colleagues as the next Speaker of the California Assembly. Assemblywoman Bass has quickly ascended from being a passionate and dedicated community activist to becoming the first female African American to serve as Assembly Speaker. I also wish to thank Speaker Nunez for his distinguished service and record of achievement during his speakership.”

Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa:

“This is an historic day for our state, our nation, and my friend Karen Bass. For the first time, we will have a woman in the ‘Big Five’ negotiations on the budget. Our top negotiator will bring a woman’s perspective to negotiating the budget. I am proud of what her leadership represents, and I look forward to working with her in the future. I will be honored to call Karen Madam Speaker.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell:

"I am delighted with the election of Karen Bass as Assembly Speaker and congratulate her on this well-deserved position of leadership. With Assemblymember Bass as Speaker and Senator Darrell Steinberg as Senate President Pro Tem-Elect, California's schools and students will be served by an education dream team.

"Both leaders have proven track records of supporting public schools and working to close the achievement gap to help all students succeed. Now that a promising new leadership team is in place, we all must work together over the next few critical years to create the conditions for improving student achievement and preparing all students to thrive in a demanding global economy. "

Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach:

“As a woman, her leadership will bring a fresh, new perspective. It is gratifying to see the Assembly elect an African American woman to lead their house. For some of us, it has been a long-hoped for development."

"Her election is also about her fine character and the leadership qualities that Karen Bass possesses. I congratulate Karen Bass on being the first Democratic woman elected Assembly Speaker. To finally witness this historic moment is an achievement for all Californians, especially women and especially women of color.”

Lt. Gov. John Garamendi:

"I congratulate Assemblywoman Karen Bass on her selection as California’s next Assembly Speaker. Hers is truly a California story, and today’s decision is one of which every Californian should be proud.

“As a former community organizer who helped turn around tough neighborhoods in her native Los Angeles, Karen stands as proof that through determination and hard work, we truly can leave California a better place than we found it – for our children and their children.

“With her impressive background and her experience as a proven and effective legislator, Karen has the skills and the know-how to begin solving our persistent budget crisis, addressing health care access and affordability, and investing in our future – bringing people together while holding firm to our principles of equality and opport unity. I look forward to working with Assemblymember Bass and continuing to work with Assemblymember Nunez to these ends.

“Today I also commend Speaker Nunez on his impressive service to the State of California. As the leader of the Assembly, Speaker Nunez led the Assembly in tacking California’s fiscal issues, adopting landmark global warming legislation, and making the expansion of health care to every Californian a top priority. I wish him well as he leads the Assembly through the remainder of the year, and as he continues to be an important voice in our State.”