Local Election Winners Prepare For Road Ahead

Congress will look a lot different when it reconvenes in two weeks. A lot of new faces after republicans seized control of the house of Representatives.

Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack defended her 45th district seat against Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet. She now turns her attention back to Washington, where the first order of business is tax cuts.

“I think the American people want some certainty. That they want certainty in their pocketbooks. I think certainly going into the Christmas holidays they want to know they’re not faced with massive tax increase on January 1st,” said Bono Mack.

Republicans will likely need help to accomplish those goals and that will involve reaching access the aisle.

Barbara Boxer defeated Carly Fiorina to remain a California Senator. Other Democrats held onto their seats to keep a slim majority in the senate.

“The atmosphere in Washington has been so acrimonious because of the divide of the house has been so narrow but it is my hope people start working together in passing legislation that the American people would be proud of,” said Bono Mack.

California lawmakers will also have to work together — to balance the budget and create jobs.

Democrat Jerry Brown is back in Sacramento as the state’s governor. He defeated Republican challenger Meg Whitman.

Re-elected assemblyman Manuel Perez is looking forward to working with Brown to help solve the state’s year-after-year budget mess.

“Part of it is making sure we have a rainy day fund. I think that’s critical. I think that’s key as we move forward in times of crisis. We need to have some sort of surplus to help us more forward,” said Perez

Then there’s jobs.

Perez wants to continue to focus on green jobs, particularly out in the Coachella Valley. According to Perez jobs and fixing the budget are both issues that will need both parties to work together to turn around.