Democrat Atkins sworn in as Assembly speaker
San Diego Democrat Toni Atkins has been sworn in as the 69th speaker of the state Assembly.
Atkins, who is 51, took the oath Monday during a ceremony that was attended by Gov. Jerry Brown. Her term in the 80-member house ends in two years.
She assumes the role amid negotiations over a nearly $107 billion state budget and an $11 billion water bond that all sides want to change before it goes to a vote in November.
Atkins grew up poor in Appalachia and implored lawmakers to remember the needs of low-income Californians. She identified homelessness and affordable housing as top priorities.
She is the first open lesbian to lead a California legislative chamber and succeeds Democrat John Perez, who was the first openly gay lawmaker in the role.
