Look West: How California is Leading the Nation

By Democratic Office of Communications and Outreach

What's Look West: How California is Leading the Nation about?

Look 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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Look West: How California is Leading the Nation episodes:

03.21.2024
Growing Renters Caucus Amplifies Tenants’ Voices
With a rallying cry of “the rent is too damn high” Assemblymember Matt Haney created the California Legislative Renters’ Caucus. An overflow crowd squeezed into a bar near the State Capitol for the Caucus’ first ever meetup event. Haney and...
02.22.2024
Black History Month and Healing the Trauma
Throughout 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...
01.18.2024
New Committee Investigating the Rise in Retail Theft
Videos of smash and grab robberies have many people thinking about retail theft, including state lawmakers. A new Select Committee is investigating the reasons for the rise in retail theft, its impacts on businesses and employees and what can be...
12.21.2023
New Monument Honors the Real History of California’s First People
Long before the State Capitol was built the Miwok Indians lived, hunted and fished in what became Sacramento. Now – for the first time - California’s First People have a monument in Capitol Park to honor the Indigenous People of...
11.16.2023
California Leading the Way on Veterans Issues
California is home to more military bases than any other state. And there are 1.3-million military veterans living in California. What are the issues and challenges for them? What can California do to help? As we honor military veterans this...
10.19.2023
Next Generation Workers' Rights
Thousands of young workers are being exploited every year. The U.S Department of Labor says the employment rights of 2,819 minors were violated in 2021. Employers were fined $3.4 million. Assemblymember Liz Ortega – a former labor organizer - aims...
09.21.2023
LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Improves Schools for All Students
Despite the progress made in California, LGBTQ+ students still face bullying and worse in California schools. The harsh treatment has led to high dropout rates. Which, in turn, lead to a cycle of homelessness, poverty and health & wellbeing disparities...
08.17.2023
A New Voice for the Central Coast
There 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...
07.20.2023
Meet the New Speaker
From very humble beginnings, Robert Rivas has risen to be the 71st Speaker of the California State Assembly. His story begins in Salinas Valley farmworker housing. It continues today with his election to one of the most powerful political positions...
06.15.2023
“40 Acres and a Mule” California’s Reparations Task Force
The idea of reparations for African-Americans has been around since President Lincoln signed Field Order 15, promising “40 acres and as mule” to former slaves. The order was rescinded by President Andrew Johnson after Lincoln was assassinated. Over the many,...
05.09.2023
Fentanyl: One Pill Can Kill
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...
04.13.2023
Rap on Trial - Decriminalizing Artistic Expression
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...
04.13.2023
Rap On Trial: Decriminalizing Artistic Expression
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...
03.30.2023
Mass Shootings Spur Assembly Democrats to Continue Fight Against Gun Violence
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+ incidents of mass shootings had...
03.08.2023
Records Set, Records Broken – Women of the CA Assembly Democratic Caucus
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...
03.01.2023
For the Benefit of All
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...
02.28.2023
For the Benefit of All
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...
12.20.2022
Assembly Democratic Caucus Incoming Class Sets Numerous Records - Part 2
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...
12.20.2022
Assembly Democratic Caucus Incoming Class Sets Numerous Records - Part 1
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...
12.01.2022
Climate Change and California’s Transportation Future
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...
11.22.2022
Pulling Plastics from the Pollution Pipeline
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...
11.10.2022
Assemblymember Ramos Forms Native American Legislative Caucus
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...
10.27.2022
Majority Leader Reyes Brokers Deal on Medical Malpractice
MICRA, 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...
10.12.2022
AB 540 – Generations of Learning
On 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...
08.18.2022
COVID Today – What You Need to Know
Assembly 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...
07.21.2022
Keeping Democracy Safe in California
While 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...
07.07.2022
It’s Ruff Without Rights and We Need Them Right Meow
Pets 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...
06.28.2022
Meet the Newest Members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus
The 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...
06.16.2022
California Water: Mitigating the Drought
In 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...
06.09.2022
Assembly Democrats Continue the Fight Against Gun Violence
Gun 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...
06.02.2022
Let's Talk Abortion: Lessons from the Pink Bus
Roe 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...
05.26.2022
The AAPI Equity Fund – What it is, Why it’s needed, Who it helps
May 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...
05.10.2022
Meet the Newest Assembly Democrats - Mike Fong, Lori Wilson and Matt Haney
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...
05.05.2022
California – A Reproductive Rights Sanctuary
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...
04.01.2022
Ukrainian Resistance Inspiring Californians
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...
03.24.2022
Trans Kids Are Our Kids
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...
02.28.2022
Safe Storage Saves Lives
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...
02.10.2022
Black History Month: Addressing Health and Wellness
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...
12.29.2021
California and Human Rights
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...
12.28.2021
New Year, New Laws
California has new laws going into effect in 2022. Look West took to the streets in Sacramento to see what folks think.
12.07.2021
Meet the Newest Members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus
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...
11.25.2021
California Action on Missing and Murdered Native Americans
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...
11.11.2021
Acting on it: Getting Veterans the help they need NOW!
1.8 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...
10.14.2021
California is on Fire: How to be Prepared and What to do About It
The 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...
09.30.2021
MAKING A BABY: Parental Rights and Alternative Methods
Around 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...
09.03.2021
COVID-19 and Kids
The 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...
06.17.2021
As Life After COVID Begins
In 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...
05.20.2021
Keeping a Roof Over their Heads…What California is doing to help Tenants and Landlords
California 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...
05.12.2021
Legislative Families: The Story of Gene and Kevin Mullin
We 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...
05.06.2021
Connecting Californians: Expanding High Speed Internet
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted something many already knew before it struck last year – California needs to expand and improve high speed internet, or broadband, to everyone. Availability, Affordability, Devices and Digital Skills are just a few of the challenges...

What's Look West: How California is Leading the Nation about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Look West: How California is Leading the Nation episodes:

Growing Renters Caucus Amplifies Tenants’ Voices

Black History Month and Healing the Trauma

New Committee Investigating the Rise in Retail Theft

New Monument Honors the Real History of California’s First People

California Leading the Way on Veterans Issues

Next Generation Workers' Rights

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Improves Schools for All Students

A New Voice for the Central Coast

Meet the New Speaker

“40 Acres and a Mule” California’s Reparations Task Force

Fentanyl: One Pill Can Kill

Rap on Trial - Decriminalizing Artistic Expression

Rap On Trial: Decriminalizing Artistic Expression

Mass Shootings Spur Assembly Democrats to Continue Fight Against Gun Violence

Records Set, Records Broken – Women of the CA Assembly Democratic Caucus

For the Benefit of All

For the Benefit of All

Assembly Democratic Caucus Incoming Class Sets Numerous Records - Part 2

Assembly Democratic Caucus Incoming Class Sets Numerous Records - Part 1

Climate Change and California’s Transportation Future

Pulling Plastics from the Pollution Pipeline

Assemblymember Ramos Forms Native American Legislative Caucus

Majority Leader Reyes Brokers Deal on Medical Malpractice

AB 540 – Generations of Learning

COVID Today – What You Need to Know

Keeping Democracy Safe in California

It’s Ruff Without Rights and We Need Them Right Meow

Meet the Newest Members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus

California Water: Mitigating the Drought

Assembly Democrats Continue the Fight Against Gun Violence

Let's Talk Abortion: Lessons from the Pink Bus

The AAPI Equity Fund – What it is, Why it’s needed, Who it helps

Meet the Newest Assembly Democrats - Mike Fong, Lori Wilson and Matt Haney

California – A Reproductive Rights Sanctuary

Ukrainian Resistance Inspiring Californians

Trans Kids Are Our Kids

Safe Storage Saves Lives

Black History Month: Addressing Health and Wellness

California and Human Rights

New Year, New Laws

Meet the Newest Members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus

California Action on Missing and Murdered Native Americans

Acting on it: Getting Veterans the help they need NOW!

California is on Fire: How to be Prepared and What to do About It

MAKING A BABY: Parental Rights and Alternative Methods

COVID-19 and Kids

As Life After COVID Begins

Keeping a Roof Over their Heads…What California is doing to help Tenants and Landlords

Legislative Families: The Story of Gene and Kevin Mullin

Connecting Californians: Expanding High Speed Internet