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, Alex Sigua
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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.
Fentanyl: One Pill Can Kill
May 9, 2023
Fentanyl. Stronger and more deadly than heroin and much, much more widely available. Just a tiny amount of fentanyl can kill. Law enforcement, political and community leaders and parents are waging a war against fentanyl on multiple fronts. Assembly Democrats are in the fight with new legislation to stop fentanyl trafficking, expand the availability of anti-overdose medication and spread the word about the dangers of fentanyl.
Rap on Trial - Decriminalizing Artistic Expression
April 13, 2023
Under the recently enacted Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act, written by Assemblymember Reginald Jones-Sawyer (D-South Los Angeles), artists, particularly rap music artists, will not have their work used against them in a courtroom in California as a sole way of connecting them with a crime. In this episode of the Look West podcast Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer sits down with Harvey Mason jr, CEO of the Recording Academy, GRAMMY – Award winning Hip-Hop icon and Founder and CEO of Rock the Bells LL COOL J, and Professor of Criminology, Law & Society Charis Kubrin. In a very animated conversation they talk about why this new law is so important, what it means for creative expression and avoiding implicit bias in the treatment of artists, particularly young men of color.
Mass Shootings Spur Assembly Democrats to Continue Fight Against Gun Violence
March 30, 2023
Gun 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+ mass shooting incidents 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 8, 2023
The newly elected class of Assemblymembers has made history: 26 out of the 62 Democratic Assemblymembers are women. Assemblymember Dr.Jasmeet Bains is the first Sikh woman ever elected to the Assembly. There are also a total of 12 Latina Democratic Assemblymembers in office. Look West visits the Women Inspire exhibit at the California Museum with Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes and hear what’s good, and not good, about being a women today from several Members of the CA Assembly Democratic Caucus.
For the Benefit of All
February 28, 2023
Assembly 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 much more… For the Benefit of All.
Assembly Democratic Caucus Incoming Class Sets Numerous Records - Part 1
December 20, 2022
Several 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 Juan Carrillo, Blanca Pacheco, Josh Lowenthal, Diane Papan, Gregg Hart, Avelino Valencia, Esmeralda Soria and Stephanie Nguyen.
In Part 2 you’ll meet Dr. Jasmeet Bains, Rick Chavez Zbur, Pilar Schiavo, Dawn Addis, Dr. Corey Jackson, Gail Pellerin, Liz Ortega and Damon Connolly.
Assembly Democratic Caucus Incoming Class Sets Numerous Records - Part 2
December 20, 2022
Several 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 Juan Carrillo, Blanca Pacheco, Josh Lowenthal, Diane Papan, Gregg Hart, Avelino Valencia, Esmeralda Soria and Stephanie Nguyen.
In Part 2 you’ll meet Dr. Jasmeet Bains, Rick Chavez Zbur, Pilar Schiavo, Dawn Addis, Dr. Corey Jackson, Gail Pellerin, Liz Ortega and Damon Connolly.
Climate Change and California’s Transportation Future
December 1, 2022
Studies 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
Getting 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 took place to craft this new law that California needs.
Assemblymember Ramos Forms Native American Legislative Caucus
November 10, 2022
For 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.