First Openly-Gay Speaker Of Assembly Sworn In
SACRAMENTO -The first openly gay lawmaker to lead either house of the California Legislature has been sworn in as speaker of the state Assembly.
John Perez, a Los Angeles Democrat, took the reins of the 80-member house on Monday, as the state is trying to close a $20 billion budget deficit and unemployment remains above 12 percent.
Perez, who is 40, says creating jobs and encouraging Democrats and Republicans to work together will be his top priorities.
Democrats have majorities in the Assembly and Senate.
The speaker’s position is being vacated by Assemblywoman Karen Bass, another Los Angeles Democrat, who is running for Congress and will be termed out at the end of the year.
Perez, who becomes the 68th Assembly speaker, and can serve four more years in the Assembly.
