Earlier this week, the California Legislature passed our 2022-23 state budget, setting a sustainable course that invests in California and takes steps to protect our resources from future economic downturns.
For over half a century, runners had been trying to break the 4-minute mile. Then, in 1954, Roger Bannister finally ran a mile in 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds. And then, just 46 days after Bannister showed that it could be done, another runner did it.
Since then, over a thousand runners have beat the 4-minute mile. It shows how much of what we think is physically and practically impossible is psychological. What holds us back is often our mindsets.
As a state, we’ve been a global leader in setting ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and toxic smog. The roadmap we set for the transportation sector, the largest contributor to California’s greenhouse gas emissions, will be critical in determining whether or not we’ll meet those benchmarks.
In California alone, 31,720 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. In 2022, 4,690 women will die from the disease. As a breast cancer survivor, I know firsthand that early access to diagnosis and treatment can save lives. That is why I have joined forces with Susan G. Komen and introduced AB 2024, state legislation to eliminate the co-pays, deductibles and other cost-sharing a woman would have to pay to get necessary breast cancer screening and diagnostic tests.
Nearly 250 people are killed annually in crashes on Los Angeles city streets, and hundreds more are injured. Speed is a top factor in fatal traffic collisions, especially when a driver kills a pedestrian.
If a flagship safety program and increased police enforcement haven't made meaningful progress in reducing crashes and saving lives, what will? Some state and local leaders say it's time for speed cameras.
Yesterday, Assemblymembers Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) and Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) made a first stab at codifying some of the recommendations made by a task force studying California’s speed limit law.
Friedman warns that the bill is “a work in progress,” likely to be amended during the legislative process. Certainly the first steps it calls for are small ones: for now, A.B. 2121 would simply extend the period of time between required traffic speed surveys, under certain conditions.
Years of research, the rules of physics and common sense all point to an established fact about street safety: the faster people drive, the more dangerous and deadly our roads become.
Despite that fact, Los Angeles and other cities across California are regularly raising speed limits on their streets. They're doing that in order to enforce speeding laws in accordance with something called the 85th percentile rule, which roughly says if enough people are driving a certain speed, that should be the speed limit.
by Laura Friedman
For many of us, this holiday season will be filled with fun and quality time with our friends, family and neighbors. Against the backdrop of festive decorations and fattening food, many of us will have a break from the hustle and bustle of the year to enjoy and reflect on the parts of life that matter most. However, not all of us will be so fortunate.
by Laura Friedman
Homelessness. It is one of our state’s greatest challenges. Every night, over 130,000 Californians sleep on our streets. Homelessness has become a full-on crisis, one that has rightfully been the focus of policy discussions throughout the state. In response, we’ve put unprecedented resources and energy towards finding real and lasting solutions. Despite this, I know my constituents feel our efforts are not enough.
There are few phrases in California politics that invoke as much passion as the words “high-speed rail.” The ambitious transportation infrastructure project seeking to move passengers from Los Angeles to San Francisco in two hours and 40 minutes, and ultimately connect San Diego to Sacramento, has become a centerpiece of public debate.