Look West: How California is Leading the Nation
Look West 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 the actions we’re taking to help lead the nation into a brighter future. This podcast is brought to you by the Assembly Democratic Caucus team. Inquiries or questions, contact Deputy Director of Communications, Maria Neider
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DISCLAIMER: The views expressed on Look West are solely those of the guests and do not necessarily represent the views of the Democratic Office of Communication and Outreach or the Assembly Democratic Caucus.
Meet the Newest Assembly Democrats - Mike Fong, Lori Wilson and Matt Haney
May 10, 2022
The 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. Community College District.
California – A Reproductive Rights Sanctuary
May 5, 2022
More 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 again.
Ukrainian Resistance Inspiring Californians
April 1, 2022
California 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
This 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 gender non-conforming.
Safe Storage Saves Lives
February 28, 2022
Assemblymember 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
Assembly 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
California 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
California has new laws going into effect in 2022. Look West took to the streets in Sacramento to see what folks think.
Meet the Newest Members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus
December 7, 2021
The California State Assembly Democratic Caucus continues to grow and change. Over the past months three new Californians have joined the Assembly. One from Los Angeles, one from San Diego and one from the East Bay. On this special bonus episode of Look West Assemblymembers Isaac Bryan, Dr. Akilah Weber and Mia Bonta introduce themselves. You’ll find out where they grew up, what their top priorities are as an Assemblymember and why they went into politics.
California Action on Missing and Murdered Native Americans
November 25, 2021
In 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 criminal justice protective and investigative resources for reporting and identifying missing Native Americans in California, particularly women and girls. This bill allocates $5-million over a 5 year period to develop this program in hopes of addressing this huge issue.