Look West: How California is Leading the Nation
111 episodes - English - Latest episode: 29 days ago - ★★★★★ - 53 ratingsLook West - A unique view of the people representing you in the State Assembly who are leading California to a better future for all. A series of conversations with California State Assembly members and the people they represent, the Look West podcast brings you a unique view of the people leading California to a better future for everyone.
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Episodes
LGBTQ Caucus Raises Awareness During Pride Month
June 20, 2024 13:00 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MB2024 Legislative & Budget Priorities 2024 #1 Priority Legislation AB 1955 (Ward, LGBTQ Caucus) – SAFETY Act The Support Academic Futures & Educators for Today’s Youth Act (SAFETY Act), would strengthen existing California protections against forced outings of LGBTQ+ students in schools; provide critical resources for parents and families of LGBTQ+ students to support them in working towards family acceptance on their own terms; and provide additional protections to educators who face re...
The Golden Grays – Aging in California
May 16, 2024 13:00 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBThe month of May is Older Californians Month. This year California is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the trend setting California Department of Aging. With that in mind we’re featuring a conversation with Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains, Chair of the Aging and Long Term Care Committee and California Department of Aging Director Susan DeMarois discussing the growing population of Californians over the age of 60, the challenges they face and ways California is working to make their l...
Building Better Foster Care
April 18, 2024 13:00 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBCalifornia’s foster care system is in desperate need of an upgrade. The list of problems is long…and the outcomes for foster youth have been poor in far too many cases. May is Foster Care Awareness Month so we sat down with Assemblymember Dr. Cory Jackson, a leading voice in the effort to improve the child welfare system, to talk about what needs to be done to fix the problems facing California’s foster care children.
Growing Renters Caucus Amplifies Tenants’ Voices
March 21, 2024 13:00 - 23 minutes - 22 MBNew Bill Stops Landlords from Denying Housing to Tenants with Pets The chair of the California Legislative Renters Caucus, Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) has introduced legislation that prohibits blanket pet bans in rental units in California. AB 2216 will require landlords to have reasonable reason(s) for not allowing a pet in a rental unit and only allows landlords to ask about pet ownership after a tenant’s application has been approved. California has the second highest number of t...
Black History Month and Healing the Trauma
February 22, 2024 14:00 - 22 minutes - 21 MBThroughout the month of February extra focus is on the history of African-Americans, as the country marks Black History Month. For more than 50 years, the California Legislative Black Caucus has been at the forefront of efforts to make sure the real history of Black America is told and improve the lives of Blacks in California. Assemblymember Lori Wilson is the current Chair of the CLBC. In this episode with her we’ll review the Caucus’ reparations legislative package, look back at black his...
New Committee Investigating the Rise in Retail Theft
January 18, 2024 14:00 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBCalifornia State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas has announced the formation of a new Select Committee on Retail Theft, and has named Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) as Committee Chair. The Select Committee is comprised of bipartisan members from across the state, including from areas most impacted by retail theft. The committee will provide a forum to engage impacted stakeholders – including large retailers, small businesses, criminal justice reform advocates, law enforcement, a...
New Monument Honors the Real History of California’s First People
December 21, 2023 14:00 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MBMore than 400 celebrate historic Native American monument in Capitol Park honoring tribes on whose land the state Capitol now stands State marks Native American Heritage Month by unveiling 10th tribute in the park commemorating California heroes & protectors SACRAMENTO—On a cool, breezy Sacramento morning, more than 400 tribal members, dignitaries and students gathered to unveil the first-ever Capitol monument acknowledging tribes residing in California and their millennia-long, resil...
California Leading the Way on Veterans Issues
November 16, 2023 14:00 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBCalifornia has more military bases within its borders than most states: a whopping 32 bases are in CA, some from every military branch. There are 158,000 active duty members of the armed forces in California. There are 1.35-million military veterans in California. Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo is the new Chair of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. In the Northwest San Fernando Valley, Assemblywoman Schiavo co-founded an organization that helped secure housing for Veterans experienc...
Next Generation Workers' Rights
October 19, 2023 13:00 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MBAsm. Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) Announces Governor Signed New Law to Prevent Child Labor Exploitation SACRAMENTO ― California high school students will learn about their rights at work and how to defend themselves against workplace abuses under a first-of-its-kind law just signed by Governor Gavin Newsom over the weekend. AB 800, authored by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro), creates a Workplace Readiness Week at all public high schools to teach students about their workplace rig...
LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Improves Schools for All Students
September 21, 2023 13:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBAB 5: The Safe and Supportive Schools Act As LGBTQ+ rights across the country come under attack, from book bans to outlawing instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, California is leading the way in preserving the rights of LGBTQ+ students across the state. While the state is making progress, LGBTQ+ students still experience harassment, violence and lack of affirmation in school settings far too often. This is why I introduced the Safe and Supportive Schools Act on...
A New Voice for the Central Coast
August 17, 2023 13:00 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBThere is power in numbers. That’s one reason why California’s Central Coast lawmakers have banded together and formed the Central Coast Legislative Caucus. There are ten Members of the CCLC representing the coast from Ventura County to Santa Cruz. Take a trip with us to Morro Bay to hear from CCLC Chair Dawn Addis and other Members of the new Central Coast Legislative Caucus.
“40 Acres and a Mule” California’s Reparations Task Force
June 15, 2023 06:00 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBCalifornia Reparations Task Force: https://oag.ca.gov/ab3121 California Reparations Task Force Members: https://oag.ca.gov/ab3121/members Assemblymember and Task Force Member Reggie Jones-Sawyer: https://a57.asmdc.org/ Look West podcast: https://asmdc.org/look-west
Fentanyl: One Pill Can Kill
May 09, 2023 19:02 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MB“One Pill Can Kill” Awareness Campaign and Legislation to address Fentanyl Crisis SACRAMENTO ---- Today,Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine), along with Assemblywoman Liz Ortega (D-Alameda), Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria, (D-Fresno), and Senator Dave Cortese, (D-Santa Clara), held a press conference to discuss their legislative priorities to address the fentanyl crisis and announce the statewide rollout of the DEA’s “One Pill Can Kill” campaign. Fentanyl is one of the mos...
Rap On Trial: Decriminalizing Artistic Expression
April 13, 2023 15:00 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBThis Look West episode features artist LL COOL J, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason, Prof Charis Kubrin and Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer The Look West podcast is produced by the Assembly Democratic Caucus. Each episode provides a personal view of the California leaders representing you in the State Assembly. Tune in while these elected officials, influential leaders, and the general public provide a unique perspective on different issues affecting California, and learn more about ...
Mass Shootings Spur Assembly Democrats to Continue Fight Against Gun Violence
March 30, 2023 15:00 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MBGun Violence continues to be rampant in California and the United States. 2023 began with two tragic mass shootings in the cities of Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay. Before January was over, 40+ incidents of mass shootings had occurred in the United States. Assembly Democrats have continued to lead the nation on how to combat gun violence. In this episode, we speak with those who have experienced the gun violence and the lawmakers who are working to stop it.
Records Set, Records Broken – Women of the CA Assembly Democratic Caucus
March 08, 2023 15:30 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBAssemblymember Sabrina Cervantes Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes Assemblymember Dawn Addis Assemblymember Gail Pellerin Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco CA Museum CEO Amanda Meeker California Assembly Democrats Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes Eloise Gomez Reyes Dawn Addis Gail Pellerin Sharon Quirk-Silva Blanca Pacheco Legislative Womens Caucus Legislature
For the Benefit of All
March 01, 2023 12:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBAssembly Democrats have been working to improve the lives of all Californians with laws that took effect earlier this year and new proposals that keep fighting the good fight going forward. Successes include increased protection for reproductive rights, policies allowing more affordable housing, bereavement leave, eliminating the "Pink Tax" and ending citations for safe jaywalking. In 2023, Assembly Democrats are working to assist the unhoused, deal with climate change, protect workers, and m...
Assembly Democratic Caucus Incoming Class Sets Numerous Records - Part 2
December 20, 2022 20:00 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBSeveral records fell when the incoming class of Assemblymembers were sworn into office this month. Women outnumbered men in the 2023/24 class. The total percentage of women in the Legislature reached a new high. LGBTQ+ representation also set a new high mark. Sixteen of the new Members have joined the Assembly Democratic Caucus. They come from all over California with incredibly diverse backgrounds. In this two part episode of Look West you’ll get to meet them all. In Part 1 you’ll meet Jua...
Assembly Democratic Caucus Incoming Class Sets Numerous Records - Part 1
December 20, 2022 20:00 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBSeveral records fell when the incoming class of Assemblymembers were sworn into office this month. Women outnumbered men in the 2023/24 class. The total percentage of women in the Legislature reached a new high. LGBTQ+ representation also set a new high mark. Sixteen of the new Members have joined the Assembly Democratic Caucus. They come from all over California with incredibly diverse backgrounds. In this two part episode of Look West you’ll get to meet them all. In Part 1 you’ll meet Ju...
Climate Change and California’s Transportation Future
December 01, 2022 19:30 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBStudies clearly show climate change will require California to reinvent the state’s transportation systems and infrastructure. And, that means how you get from one place to another will change dramatically in the not-so-distant future. In this episode of Look West we’ll take a trip into California’s transportation future with two of the driving forces in the State Legislature, Transportation Committee Chair Laura Friedman and Electric Vehicle legislation author Assemblymember Phil Ting.
Pulling Plastics from the Pollution Pipeline
November 22, 2022 20:00 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MBGetting single use plastics out of the pollution pipeline has been one of the most contentious issues in the State Capitol for decades. Now, thanks to efforts by Assemblymember Luz Rivas, State Senator Ben Allen, the Natural Resources Committee and a host of others, groundbreaking legislation has put California on path to pull plastics from the trash bin. In this episode of Look West Assemblymember Rivas, Elizabeth MacMillan and Matthew Montgomery take us in the room where the negotiations t...
Assemblymember Ramos Forms Native American Legislative Caucus
November 10, 2022 20:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBFor the first time in California’s history there is a Native American Legislative Caucus in the California State Legislature. Led by Assemblymember James Ramos, the first California Native American to be elected to the State Legislature, the Caucus will focus on educating all of California about the state’s First People and advocating for the advancement of California’s native tribes.
Majority Leader Reyes Brokers Deal on Medical Malpractice
October 27, 2022 19:00 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBMICRA, the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act, was put in place in 1975. Since then, stakeholders have been battling over its cap on noneconomic damages for medical malpractice. Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes brought the stakeholders together with AB 35, ending the decades long fight. Reyes sat down with Lisa Maas, Executive Director of Californians Allied for Patient Protection, and Craig Peters, President of the Consumer Attorneys of California to talk about the significan...
AB 540 – Generations of Learning
October 12, 2022 19:00 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MBOn October 12th, 2001 a new law was signed and, over the next 21 years, the lives of hundreds of thousands of people were changed for the better. AB 540 was the official title and it became shorthand for allowing undocumented students to pay in state tuition. The signing of AB 540, by then Governor Gray Davis, eliminated a huge financial roadblock. This is the story of AB 540 and why it’s just as important today as it was 21 years ago.
COVID Today – What You Need to Know
August 18, 2022 19:00 - 36 minutes - 33.3 MBAssembly Democrats have been working with state and local health experts since the very beginning of the coronavirus pandemic to keep Californians informed and safe. The pandemic has NOT ended but COVID is not the same as it was when it first appeared more than two years ago. In this episode of Look West we get the latest information from Assembly Health Committee Chair Jim Wood, UCSF Doctor Robert Wachter and UCLA School of Public Health Dr. Shira Shafir.
Keeping Democracy Safe in California
July 21, 2022 19:00 - 34 minutes - 31.6 MBWhile voters rights are being battered in some states California continues to work to expand and improve the voting experience. From increasing outreach, especially to young voters, to mail-in ballots and recall reforms, Assembly Democrats are insuring your votes are easy to cast and accurately counted. Assembly Elections Committee Chairman Isaac Bryan sits down with Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber and Assemblymember Marc Berman to discuss the state of democracy in California.
It’s Ruff Without Rights and We Need Them Right Meow
July 07, 2022 19:00 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBPets are people too. At least, that’s how many families feel about them. And while most pet pawrents love their furry friends as if they were human, not all know how to properly care for them. Assemblymember Miguel Santiago wants to change that. His bill, The Dog and Cat Bill of Rights, would inform dog and cat owners on the rights, needs and wants of their pet. We visited the Assemblymember’s Pet Wellness Fair in Los Angeles to talk to him, volunteering organizations about their pets and pr...
Meet the Newest Members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus
June 28, 2022 18:30 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBThe California State Assembly Democratic Caucus has welcomed two new Members. David Alvarez and Tina McKinnor took the oath of office just recently in front of a large crowd of family and friends in the State Capitol. Assemblymember Alvarez now represents San Diego’s 80th District and Tina McKinnor is now the Assemblymember for the 62nd District in Los Angeles.
California Water: Mitigating the Drought
June 16, 2022 16:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBIn this episode, Assemblymember Anthony Rendon talks with Look West about the legislative efforts to mitigate the drought and about what Californians can do in their everyday lives to help conserve water. This is an episode in our ongoing California Water series, in which we explore some of the many complexities of this vital resource. From water accessibility, to climate change and urban and rural perspectives, we continue to highlight the many layers beneath the surface.
Assembly Democrats Continue the Fight Against Gun Violence
June 09, 2022 16:30 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBGun violence is rampant in many places in the United States, even in California. Recent mass shootings have sent an emotional wave of sorrow and pain throughout the country. In the wake of the recent gun violence, Assembly Democrats are continuing to fight back against the gun violence with eight pieces of legislation – just this year alone. Assemblymembers Mike Gipson, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Phil Ting, Kevin McCarty, Buffy Wicks, Steve Bennett, Brian Maienschein and Jesse Gabriel authored the...
Let's Talk Abortion: Lessons from the Pink Bus
June 02, 2022 19:00 - 30 minutes - 27.5 MBRoe v. Wade guaranteed every woman the right to an abortion. On May 3, 2022, a leak of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade shattered the nation. Protests erupted to fight for reproductive rights while states moved to either protect or destroy abortion access once the official decision is released. California, long an abortion sanctuary, is stepping up to provide low-income, vulnerable and out of state communities with abortion access. Today, we are joined by California Legisla...
The AAPI Equity Fund – What it is, Why it’s needed, Who it helps
May 26, 2022 19:00 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBMay is AAPI Heritage month and this year its also the first anniversary of the AAPI Equity Fund – which was created to assist Community Based Organizations fight back against a rising tide of anti-AAPI hate crimes. Assemblymember Phil Ting – who led the effort to create the AAPI Equity Fund – explains why the State Legislature approved the funds, how the money is being spent and what more needs to be done. Plus - Manjusha P. Kulkarni, Executive Director of the AAPI Equity Alliance, tells us ...
Meet the Newest Assembly Democrats - Mike Fong, Lori Wilson and Matt Haney
May 10, 2022 19:00 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBThe CA Assembly Democratic Caucus continues to grow and change. Three new Members have joined the Caucus recently. Today we’ll get a chance to meet new Assemblymember Lori Wilson, who was the first black female to serve as a Mayor in Solano County. Assemblymember Matt Haney, a former county supervisor from SF and mental health advocate. And Assemblymember Mike Fong from the San Gabriel Valley, who spent most of the last decade working for community college students as a Trustee in the L.A. C...
California – A Reproductive Rights Sanctuary
May 05, 2022 19:00 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBMore than two years ago California designated itself a sanctuary for reproductive rights with the passage of a resolution written by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks. She and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and Planned Parenthood’s Stacy Cross met to discuss the reason such a designation was needed. Their conversation about the possibility Roe V Wade would be overturned appears to have been right on point. Virtually everything they said two years ago seems to be coming true. Let’s listen in aga...
Ukrainian Resistance Inspiring Californians
April 01, 2022 19:00 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBCalifornia is home to the largest concentration of Ukrainians in the United States. Many, like Ukrainian-American House founder Vlad Skots, still have family in Ukraine. In this episode of Look West Skots tells us what its like to have bombs falling on your homeland. And, Assemblymember Steve Bennett says the courage of the Ukrainian people is an inspiration to everyone who loves democracy. He explains what actions the State Assembly has taken to support the Ukrainian people.
Trans Kids Are Our Kids
March 24, 2022 18:30 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MBThis episode features a poignant conversation between Assemblymember Alex Lee and Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton because trans rights are under new attacks across much of the country. It started with keeping kids out of sports and bathrooms. Now, states are classifying parents who seek healthcare for their trans and gender non-conforming youth as child abusers. California’s State Legislature has set out to create a safe haven for LGTBQ youth, including those who identify as trans and gend...
Safe Storage Saves Lives
February 28, 2022 19:45 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBAssemblymember Laura Friedman talks with her guests about her bill AB 452, which would require schools to inform students' parents or guardians each year about California’s safe storage laws. Look West also catches up with Sarah Kirby-Gonzalez, a teacher and school board trustee, whose district has already implemented a plan to notify parents of safe storage requirements.
Black History Month: Addressing Health and Wellness
February 10, 2022 19:00 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBAssembly Democrats Mike Gipson and medical Dr. Akilah Weber know the real reasons behind poor health outcomes in Black communities. In this Black History Month episode of Look West the Assemblymembers talk openly about health problems in African-American communities, what causes those problems and what needs to be done to build healthier communities.
California and Human Rights
December 29, 2021 20:00 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBCalifornia has often led the way on human rights. From the 1959 Unruh Civil Rights Act paving the way for the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 to same-sex marriage to farmworker overtime, California sets the tone that the nation eventually follows. But California isn’t perfect. Look West caught up with Majority Leader Eloise Gómez-Reyes to discuss how California can protect human rights. .
New Year, New Laws
December 28, 2021 20:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBCalifornia has new laws going into effect in 2022. Look West took to the streets in Sacramento to see what folks think.
California Action on Missing and Murdered Native Americans
November 25, 2021 16:45 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBIn this episode, we focus on the history of missing and murdered Native American people and how the allocation of new funds will help Native American communities. Murder is the 3rd leading cause of death for Native American women. In 2019, over 5,500 Native American women were reported missing. Assemblymember James Ramos introduced AB 3099 to create a program to develop law enforcement training on policing and investigations on tribal lands. It will also determine how to increase state crimi...
Acting on it: Getting Veterans the help they need NOW!
November 11, 2021 20:00 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MB1.8 million veterans live in California. Our state is home to the largest number of veterans in the nation. Regretfully areas like Southern California, is also the where 1 out of every 10 homeless veterans live. We speak to Assembly Veterans Committee Chair Jacqui Irwin, CalVet Deputy Director Keith Boylan with Governor Newsom’s administration and Steve Peck, President of US Vets, the largest veterans organization in the country about what is being done and what is needed. On an added note, ...
California is on Fire: How to be Prepared and What to do About It
October 14, 2021 18:45 - 36 minutes - 33.6 MBThe state is on fire. Over 7,000 fires and 2.5 million acres have burned in 2021 alone, and the year is not even over yet. In this episode of Look West, Assemblymembers Wood and Bloom discuss the unique ways the fires have impacted their communities, as well as their thoughts on long-term fire prevention. Cal Fire Chief Thom Porter then weighs in with his expertise in how to be personally prepared for fires, some of the most common ways fire start in California, and what his short-term and l...
MAKING A BABY: Parental Rights and Alternative Methods
September 30, 2021 18:45 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBAround the world, parents-to-be who aren’t able to make a baby the traditional way wonder whether their rights will be protected if, some day, a donor or surrogate makes parental claims. On the flip side, some potential donors or surrogates hesitate to provide services out of fear of being held financially or legally responsible for potential offspring. On this episode we dive into the subject with Assemblymember David Chiu (who will be leaving the State Assembly to become the San Francisco ...
COVID-19 and Kids
September 03, 2021 19:00 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBThe episode begins by talking to kids as they get their vaccine. Julia and her parent discusses vaccines and what she is looking forward to on her way to get vaccinated. Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris and her kids talk about how the pandemic affected their family and how things are changing now that they are vaccinated. The episode concludes with an interview with pediatrician Dr. Shannon Udovic-Constant who discusses her experience with kids during the pandemic, unvaccinated kids going...
As Life After COVID Begins
June 17, 2021 19:30 - 30 minutes - 24.7 MBIn March 2020 Look West visited with Assemblymembers to find out what life under lockdown was like for them and the State Assembly. In this episode of Look West we catch up with some of those same Assemblymembers to find out what As Life After Covid Begins will be like for them and the Assembly Democrats. Plus, we find out what’s on their list of things to do as the Covid restrictions are lifted. Featured in this episode are: Assemblymembers Cottie Petrie-Norris, Mike Gipson, Tasha Boerner-Ho...
Keeping a Roof Over their Heads…What California is doing to help Tenants and Landlords
May 20, 2021 18:45 - 33 minutes - 31 MBCalifornia approved a new law to address the needs of landlords and tenants while avoiding evictions. We spoke to Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Reyes, Assemblymember David Chiu, and advocates of both sides of the rental crisis about how this law was accomplished and what comes next.
Legislative Families: The Story of Gene and Kevin Mullin
May 12, 2021 19:15 - 31 minutes - 43.5 MBWe started this episode doing research on the number of people from the same family that have served in the State Legislature. Our first interview was with Gene and Kevin Mullin. A Father and son that have represented the same area in the State Assembly. With the passing of Gene Mullin, we offer their views on having been Assemblymembers in the same communities in different decades.
Legislative Families: The Story of Gene and Kevin Mullin
May 12, 2021 19:15 - 31 minutes - 29 MBWe started this episode doing research on the number of people from the same family that have served in the State Legislature. Our first interview was with Gene and Kevin Mullin. A Father and son that have represented the same area in the State Assembly. With the passing of Gene Mullin, we offer their views on having been Assemblymembers in the same communities in different decades.