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Former Assembly speaker Bass continues to use driver-guards
Democratic Assemblywoman Karen Bass of Los Angeles continues to use state-paid drivers and guards while campaigning for Congress, even though she is no longer Assembly speaker, it was reported today.
Bass, D-Los Angeles, qualified for the driver and guard when she was Assembly speaker, but not after she resigned her leadership position March 1 to run for the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Diane Watson, D-Los Angeles, the Sacramento Bee reported.
Bass is being termed out of the Legislature this year, and after winning the June 8 Democratic primary, is running in the Nov. 2 general election for the 33rd Congressional District seat, in which she is heavily favored to win.
State records obtained by the newspaper show her two Los Angeles driver-guards billed the state for 997 hours of duty between March and May, but only 60 hours in June. The chauffeur-guards are retired police officers who are paid $29 an hour.
Bass' office declined to discuss details with the newspaper, and would not say if the state escorts drove Bass to campaign events.
"We do wish there were no need for any security provisions for Speaker Emeritus Bass'' her chief of staff, Nolice Edwards, told the Bee. "However, since there have been threats, we accept what measures are necessary and appropriate.''
Assembly Administrator John Waldie told the newspaper that the privilege extended to Bass has also been granted to other former speakers while they were still in the Legislature.
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He said driving Bass around allows her to conduct official business, like phone calls and reading documents, while traveling.
The chauffeur-guards use a state-owned 2006 Lincoln Town Car to escort Bass in Southern California, the newspaper reported. Bass also has a state-subsidized sedan at her disposal.
Since stepping down as Assembly speaker, Bass has missed 41 of 63 floor sessions, the Bee reported.
Bass was first elected to the Assembly from her district in southwest Los Angeles in 2004, and won her last election with 85 percent of the vote.
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