By Jim Sanders
jsanders@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Jan. 8, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 3A

John A. Pérez was showered with a 64-second standing ovation from Democratic and Republican colleagues alike Thursday after his election as Assembly speaker.

Don’t expect the bipartisanship to last.

“Thank you very much,” Pérez said in a brief acceptance speech to colleagues. “Now let’s get back to work.”

Pérez’s election comes as the state faces a $19.9 billion shortfall and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is scheduled to unveil a budget proposal today.

Democrats and Republicans have disagreed bitterly in years past on what public services to cut and whether taxes should be raised to balance budgets.

Pérez is replacing Karen Bass, another Los Angeles Democrat, although no specific date has been set for the transition.

Pérez, sending a strong signal to Schwarzenegger, vowed Thursday to stop the practice of negotiating much of the budget in closed-door “Big 5″ meetings between the governor and legislative leaders.

“Members must be included from the outset,” he said. “We all have a stake in the outcome and we all bear responsibility for the budget we pass. That means the process must be open, honest, transparent and inclusive.

“The Big 5 negotiations will be the ending point, not the start. I will present your budget to the Big 5, not present the Big 5′s budget to you.”

Pérez’s comment drew strong applause on the Assembly floor.

Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear indicated that the governor has no problem with Pérez’s push for change.

“That’s the way it’s supposed to work,” McLear said. “The legislative leaders should work more closely early in the process and, given the current budget situation, we urge them to start that process immediately.”

Pérez served as political director for United Food and Commercial Workers before his election to the Assembly in 2008. His résumé includes 15 years of serving labor unions, including a stint with the California Labor Federation.

At a news conference Thursday, Pérez said he supports making major changes to how state government operates, including altering term limits and changing the two-thirds requirement to pass a budget.

The selection of an openly gay Assembly speaker is significant to the state, Pérez said, but he cautioned against exaggerating it.

To read entire story, click here.