Our Year in Review December 2018

We did it! After a whirlwind year for our district and state, we find ourselves at the close of 2018. While there have definitely been some downs, we also have so much to be grateful for. And as I prepare to represent you for another term, I would like to highlight and reflect on the accomplishments we have made together.

Even for those who have been following the legislature closely, the sheer amount of work done these last two years, while incredible, can be overwhelming to follow. I began this year carrying a total of 49 bills as an author or principal co-author. We had an exceedingly successful year with 25 of those bills signed into law by Gov. Brown.

These pieces of legislation are aimed at tackling our state’s big and complex issues, as well as our lesser-known challenges and inequities. We successfully passed, and the governor signed into law, landmark water-efficiency legislation that will revolutionize the way water districts manage this critical natural resource. We have also succeeded in creating new consumer protections, improving traffic safety, protecting our natural lands and resources, ensuring our foster youth are taken care of, as well as a myriad of other issues.

We also took on the culture of sexual harassment and retaliation in Sacramento after a wave of scandals and allegations from within the Capitol building came to light. After hours of hearings, thousands of pages of reports, and considering testimonies from victims and experts, we ended up establishing groundbreaking measures to combat harassment in the legislature, and build a positive culture that promotes respect, civility and diversity.

I have also had the honor of hosting more than a dozen events this year throughout the district. These events have allowed the opportunity for me to experience what I treasure most about serving as your representative, and that’s meeting with you and hearing your thoughts, ideas and concerns on a variety of issues. At my community coffee events, I’ve always walked away with a better idea about your needs and priorities. At my town halls, I’ve been able to do a deep-dive into specific issues and learn from experts alongside you. This year we’ve been able to have policy-rich discussions on homelessness and the housing crisis, transportation, domestic violence and the future of autonomous vehicles. We have also had a lot of fun and used the arts to explore our collective identity as a community through my photography competition and gallery. Continuing these opportunities might be what I look forward to the most when I think about our next year together.

Finally, I’m so grateful for the countless times I’ve been welcomed into your homes, schools, businesses and community organizations to celebrate with you and learn from you. I never forget that my primary purpose is to be your representative in Sacramento, and I consider myself to be blessed to work with constituents who are engaged, empathetic, creative and astute.

What continues to inspire me is my belief in our district’s ability to work together to solve our challenges here at home while also leading the rest of the state on important issues like protecting the environment, economic inequality, social justice, affordable housing and addressing the climate crisis. We have already done great things together and I cannot wait for what is in store.

I wish you and your family the happiest of holidays, and look forward to serving you in 2019.

Laura Friedman represents Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz and Silver Lake. 

  laura friedman