(Welcome Assemblyman! – promoted by Brian Leubitz)
I am really excited to start blogging on Calitics. Recently, while I was at the Democratic Convention in San Diego, I was blown away by how well Calitics bloggers connected the grassroots activists across the state with the events in the convention hall. It was eye-opening to see first hand how professionally the netroots report the activities of the party infrastructure through this site. That weekend, I decided that it was important for me to begin engaging the conversation that is taking place among active, progressive Democrats everyday on the Calitics online community.
I am leaving myself room to blog about just about anything that I feel Calitics members would be interested in reading. I imagine that most of my entries will focus on the policies that I work on, day to day. I want to ensure that, to the extent that there is interest, the netroots are aware of the legislation that I am promoting in California. However, I also want to use Calitics to inform readers in my community about events in my district, thoughts that I have on politics at all levels, and even an occasional post about my marathon preparations.
Equally as important to me is hearing the feedback of Calitics readers. Members of the progressive blogosphere have never been shy about sharing their thoughts on certain issues, and I have benefited greatly from the input. However, I am really interested in generating more thoughts on specific proposals that I am working on. In the coming weeks and months, I hope to write a series of diary entries about some of the bills that I have authored this year, in hopes of generating feedback from Calitics readers.
For those of you who may not be familiar with me, or the work I have been doing, I posted my bio as an extended entry.
As an Assemblymember, I have spent my time fighting to improve the quality of life for residents of the San Fernando Valley and California at large.
In 2002, I was elected to the California State Assembly to represent the over 400,000 residents of District 40. In Sacramento, I currently serve as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce and am part of Speaker Fabian Nuñez’s leadership team. Besides chairing the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee, I am also a member of the Aging; Judiciary; Government Organizations; and Elections and Redistricting Committees.
My dedication to activism started at an early age. In high school, I joined with classmates to create a Students Against Drunk Driving chapter, after a classmate was tragically killed by a drunk driver. Today, I continue my fight to save other families from the devastating effects of drunk driving by working with the National Traffic Safety Board, the Century Council and Mother’s Against Drunk Driving to create new laws to crack down on hard core drunk drivers. In 2005, the Century Council named me “Legislator of the Year.”
Shortly after graduation from college, I worked tirelessly on a ballot measure to increase community college funding. In the Legislature, I remain committed to improving education for all Californians. In my first term, I successfully carried legislation to secure $1 billion in funding for special education programs. Locally, with the Canoga Park community, I have been influential in honoring teachers through the implementation of the Walk of Hearts Foundation, which I hope to help expand to be a statewide program. In 2005 I was given the “Outstanding Alumnus Award” for UCR.
Growing up in the Valley, I dealt with the rampant transportation problems that continue to plague Los Angeles. Recognizing the danger, economic depletion, and sheer frustration traffic in Los Angeles has caused, I used my influence to make improvements to the 405/101 interchange. In addition, I have been a champion for the Metro Orange Line that is finally linking the San Fernando Valley to the Metro mass transit system of Los Angeles.
While I am committed to tackling transportation, education and public safety policy, I also have a deep passion for health and physical fitness. As a child, I suffered from severe asthma, and the symptoms were only managed through the help of an inhaler and distance running. My need to remain active for health reasons has become a favorite pastime. I have participated in races as short as 1-mile to ultra marathon 50-mile races. I have turned my passion for health into a crusade to stop the obesity epidemic that is overcoming children and adults in California. I have carried legislation to help clinics treat obesity-related diabetes and asthma, and to help make sure student food is nutritious. I am also one of two Legislators on the California Taskforce for Youth and Workplace Wellness.
In 2004, I created the Assemblymember Lloyd Levine Fit & Fun Challenge in which schools compete to bring out the most students, families and teachers to walk, run, bike or skate a five kilometer course. While I realize that one day of exercise will not stop the epidemic, I believe that exposing students to “fun” exercise will help them see that physical activity is not a chore.
This year, I am working on legislation to promote energy efficiency and reduce global warming, to fight for better end-of-life choices for terminally-ill Californians, to encourage the humane treatment of elephants in zoos and circuses, and to protect our environment.
Prior to being elected to the Assembly, I served as Legislative Director to former Assemblymember John Longville.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art from the University of California, Riverside, and have completed course work toward a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy and Administration. I live in the San Fernando Valley.
For more information, please visit my Web site at http://democrats.ass…