New L.A. Mayor Karen Bass says first move will be declaring "state of emergency on homelessness"
Karen Bass has been sworn in as the 43rd Mayor of Los Angeles in a historic inauguration at the Microsoft Theater, and she quickly declared homelessness in the city to be her top priority. The ceremony was initially scheduled to take place outside City Hall but was moved indoors due to rain, CBS Los Angeles reports.
Bass took a ceremonial oath of office administered by Vice President Kamala Harris, a longtime friend and former California attorney general. The formal oath was administered privately by the city clerk.
Ready to get down to business, Bass said she would spend her first day in office declaring a state of emergency on the homeless issue plaguing the city.
"I will start my first day as mayor at the city's emergency operations centers, where my first act as mayor will be to declare a state of emergency on homelessness," she said, noting that she will "recognize the severity of our crisis and break new ground to maximize our ability to urgently move people inside, and do so for good."
She plans to house 17,000 people in her first year in office, hoping to "welcome housing to every neighborhood."
"We know our mission: We must build housing in every neighborhood," she said. "We cannot continue to overcrowd neighborhoods that are already overcrowded."
Bass also touched on another pressing issue facing her in her first day as mayor.
"Of course, we must stop crimes in progress and hold people accountable," Bass said. "Some neighborhoods have asked for additional officers, and we will deliver. But what neighborhoods are asking for and what they need is as diverse as our city."
If we come together and focus on solutions rather than jurisdiction and on linking arms rather than pointing fingers, we will save lives in our city.
— Karen Bass (@KarenBassLA) December 12, 2022
That is my mission as your mayor.
Los Angeles, you elected me to lead and that is exactly what I will do. pic.twitter.com/Tb0Ecf1h2r
Dozens of prominent politicians were in attendance for the inauguration, including Governor Gavin Newsom.
"Making history with each of you today is a monumental moment in my life and for Los Angeles," Bass said during her speech.
In addition, Stevie Wonder performed "Living for the City" and "Keeping our Love Alive." Chloe Bailey and Los Cafeteras also performed.
Bass, 69, was a social worker and community activist before representing Los Angeles in the state Assembly for six years, where she also served as the first African American speaker.
In 2010, she was elected to Congress and served Los Angeles before coming back home and becoming the first city's Black female mayor.
"I believe that times of inflection require reflection — I believe, it's time for Angelenos to remind ourselves where we come from and who we are," she said.
She takes over in a time of turmoil, as the Los Angeles City Council struggles to conduct business through a racially-charged scandal involving several prominent members, but also at a time of hope, as the council will hold more women than eve.
Council President Paul Krekorian spoke at the event, predicting that Bass is just the leader the city of Los Angeles needs to bring people together.
"This is a time of unprecedented challenges in our city, but today as I look out at this audience and see the people with us, I know that this is also a time of unprecedented opportunity," he said.
Bass will replace fellow Democrat Eric Garcetti, who came to the end of two terms on Saturday. His nomination to become U.S. ambassador has hit a snag due to opposition from some in the Senate who say they're concerned about sexual misconduct allegations against a former Garcetti staff member.
Bass was named mayor-elect in November after a close race against Rick Caruso, the billionaire developer who spent more than $100 million on his campaign.