John A. Pérez, a former labor leader and the first openly gay Speaker of the Assembly in California, ascends to the seat at a particularly challenging time for the state, and with only a year's experience. Not only has California been struggling with a devastating budget crisis, but federal policies expected to assist the state might fail. Transportation and education dollars slated for California haven't been able to blunt layoffs and service cutbacks; and national healthcare reform, whatever its merits, could hurt the state budget. How should Pérez and the legislature address California's problems? Pérez, who represents Los Angeles and is a cousin of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, visited Zócalo to discuss his plans for the state.