Dear Neighbor:
2023 is coming to a close and I’ve never been prouder of the legislation I’ve authored. I came into this year focused on improving public safety, protecting consumers and our most vulnerable, and addressing climate change in a real way.
I authored a first of its kind bill to ban dozens of hormone and endocrine disrupting chemicals from makeup and cosmetics (AB 496), another bill banning fiberglass, flame retardant, and toxic chemicals from consumer goods (AB 1059), and a much-needed bill to ban ecosystem damaging rodenticides (AB 1322).
Climate change was top of mind when it came to much-needed legislation. I authored a bill to keep solar affordable (AB 1132) and another bill that will save billions of gallons of drinking water (AB 1572). Transportation though, accounts for 40% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Addressing climate change also means we have to address transportation. To that extent, I authored legislation to align regional (AB 6) and state (AB 7) transportation planning and spending with the state’s climate goals. Those are both two-year bills that will continue in 2024.
When it comes to public safety, there’s a lot more that we can do to keep our neighborhoods safe for all. I authored AB 645 to reduce traffic violence on our streets and passed AB 1377 to improve the delivery of housing and services to people experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, on transit properties.
I’ve also led the way in protecting consumers from unscrupulous business practices. The lack of competition in America’s ticketing industry continues to put many live performances out of reach for the average consumer. Average ticket prices have more than tripled since the mid-‘90s, and the fees that are tacked on to each ticket can be as high as 78% of the ticket price. This year, I authored AB 8 to strengthen consumer protections for people who buy tickets for live events, including transparent pricing to disclose the true cost of a ticket. The work to pass AB 8 will continue in 2024.
Addressing my district’s needs is not limited to legislation. Over the past seven years, I’ve secured over $60 million to fund traffic safety improvements, active transportation infrastructure, open space preservation, and other community improvements across the district.
I also worked with my colleagues to secure over $1 billion to fund local homeless assistance programs in communities across the state and $2 billion to fund affordable housing, accessory dwelling units, and tax credits to help build more housing; and I worked to ensure increased oversight and accountability measures to make sure that funds are helping to meet the needs of local communities.
As we enter 2024, it is vital to hear directly from you about your priorities and top concerns for the district and the state so that you can be represented accurately. With that in mind, please take a few short minutes to complete the survey below. Your responses will help shape authored legislation, determine how bills and budget items are weighed, and provide town halls that will be hosted across the district in 2024.
LAURA FRIEDMAN
Assemblymember, 44th District