Ryan Carter
Office hours, city council meetings, speeches, fund-raising,
vacations, special hearings -- these are on tap for local state
lawmakers now that they are home from the 2003 legislative session.
"When you come back to the district, it's a time to reconnect with
folks and listen to what is going on in the district," said
Assemblywoman Carol Liu (D-La Canada Flintridge).
For Liu, the chair of the Assembly's committee on higher
education, the next few months before the state Legislature
reconvenes in January will include preparing a legislative agenda for
the coming year, and holding hearings on how to deal with state
budget deficits that loom over the next two years. She will have four
hearings dealing with everything from groundwater testing to adult
education programs. But Liu, like other lawmakers, will also present
legislative updates to city councils and business leaders and hold
some fund-raising activities.
State Sen. Jack Scott (D-Glendale) has already hit the ground
running.
On Wednesday, he met with group of technology-oriented
businesspeople, already trying to explain new health insurance
reforms. On Tuesday, he met with medical practitioners in Glendale,
where he talked about workers' compensation reforms. He'll be at a
Burbank student fair this weekend and a banquet in Chinatown.
"The No. 1 goal is to listen to my constituents," Scott said.
Scott also has been appointed to a committee of senators in the
Democratic caucus who will look at budget issues for the coming year.
That committee will meet before January.
Assemblyman Dario Frommer (D-Glendale) said his plans include
office hours and Saturday morning coffees to meet with constituents.
He and Scott also plan to hold a function in October to honor area
businesswomen. Frommer, like Scott and Liu, plans to meet with local
government officials and business leaders, updating them on
legislation.
"It is refreshing to be back home and be back in my community, and
have a chance to connect with people," Frommer said. "It's been a
frustrating experience [in Sacramento]. But one thing I really like
about the community I serve is that there are so many people
dedicated to solving problems, regardless of what party they are in."
Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy (R-La Crescenta) also plans to meet
with constituents, and hold some town hall meetings. On Wednesday, he
was ready to meet with Caltrans officials to talk about improvements
on local freeways.
