Legislative Aide

A passion for service drew me to apply to the California Science and Technology (CCST) Policy Fellowship.  Each year CCST selects ten scientists and matches them with California state legislative offices.  While some fellows were placed in committees, I was placed in the office of Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, an activist who represents southeast Los Angeles, and was hired on at the end of my fellowship as legislative aide.  While I moved on to pursue environmental policy, the focus of the office remains social justice, gender equity and good government.  

I adapted my skills as a specialist to rapidly learn a wide variety of topics.  In my first year I was given the opportunity to staff a bill to make California one of the first three states to require rear-facing car seats until age two.  With the mentorship of Assemblymember Garcia's team, I was able to use my background as a scientist to help adapt the recommendations of pediatric doctors and we were able to have our bill signed into law. I also gained a deep appreciation for the structure of the tax code in California when the Assemblymember asked me to staff a bill to make feminine hygiene products exempt from the Sales and Use Tax in California.  Each of the other bills I have staffed has been a separate issue area ranging from childcare funding to water efficiency.  Additionally, I covered the issue areas of Water Parks & Wildlife, Natural Resources, Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials, Budget, Health, Business & Professions, and Aging & Long-Term Care.  I was lucky to be in a office where I've been mentored by a group of people focused providing justice and equity for the people of California.

Working as a public servant for an elected official gave me a new appreciation for politicians. Politics and politicians are too often viewed negatively. While there is a basis for that perception what gets missed is that you’re less likely to see an article about someone doing their job with diligence and dedication rather than someone who has does something wrong. I came to respect the elected officials and their staffers whose focus was truly on serving the people they represented.