California: Dave Jones

NOTE: A previous version of this story had an incorrect first name and title for Speaker pro Tempore Lori Saldaña. 

Previously announced during the summer, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass' (D-Los Angeles) leadership and committee chair team will begin work soon during the new legislative year.

Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) will be the Speaker pro Tempore, alongside Assemblyman Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) as the Assembly Majority Leader and Assemblyman Kevin De León (D-Los Angeles) as Assistant Majority Leader.

Assemblyman Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) said he has a role as a strong consumer advocate in mind in his bid to run for state Insurance Commissioner in 2010.

Jones, who formally filed paperwork to seek the job Thursday, said the insurance commissioner needs to both hold the insurance industry accountable and be willing to promote legislation that helps consumers.

"It's not acceptable for someone to pay insurance premiums year after year, only to have it rescinded when they get sick," Jones said.

Sacramento mayoral candidates Kevin Johnson and Heather Fargo will rally their supporters one more time Monday night before voters cast their ballots hours later.

Johnson will have an evening event at the Guild Theatre in his home neighborhood of Oak Park that will include state Assembly Speaker Emeritus Fabian Nunez and state schools chief Jack O'Connell.

FAIR OAKS - Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) said she hopes Democrats can pick up more than two seats in that chamber in the Nov. 4 election, after she took part in a Saturday rally for one of the party's targets in Assembly District 10.

A who's who of Sacramento-area Democratic legislators - and a few hoping to join that group - rallied about 70 volunteers before heading out to walk precincts in one of the races the party thinks it can win.