Five Months in Sacramento

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The following was printed in a DAILY SOUND Guest Column:

Assemblyman Das Williams spotlights achievements after 5 months in Sacramento

By DAS WILLIAMS -- MAY 31, 2011

Each morning begins with the sound of metal poles clanking, drums beating, protesters yelling, or speeches booming from Capitol Park. The most interesting was a few weeks ago when I woke up to a high pitched whine, which I dimly remembered was a signal of war and alarm, and slowly realized was an air raid siren.

I got out of bed and said to myself, “oh, that must be the teachers.” Thousands of classroom teachers, including a score from our area, were in town to highlight the state of emergency that public education is in and what could happen to our schools if we do not extend the current tax rate as the Governor has proposed. I roll into the shower, put on the suit – required attire on the floor e

very day, which is less than ideal for this central coaster -, and walk across the street to the Capitol to debate anywhere from twenty to one hundred bills a day.

Some of the bills do absolutely nothing, but express nice sentiments. Many are vital for the future of job creation, energy independence, and protection of the environment. To be a part of establishing one of the toughest energy efficiency standards in the nation; a mandate that would require 33 percent of the state’s energy to come from renewable sources is a rush for me. It is an extension of the work we started in the city of Santa Barbara by setting one of the most aggressive renewable energy programs in the state. Being a part of these efforts brings an added edge of pride to the work I do, knowing that it’s impact will benefit generations to come. It means middle-class jobs and guardianship of our environment.

But far more often, the impact I can make has to be far more subtle to be effective. My work includes suggesting amendments during committee hearings, asking the Governor or Speaker to appoint local people on important boards or delving into solutions for our budget deficit. Of course sometime it can be the wrong budget solution, like when I found out the first draft budget this year proposed eliminating 100 percent of our County's emergency room funding. So we went into overdrive that following week. Working behind the scenes and getting that overzealous cut out of the budget 2 hours before the vote.

When your life is measured in 15 minute increments of meetings and tasks, it can be a little bewildering. The hustle is intense. The tasks are often daunting, but we've balanced 64 percent of the deficit and we're not even late on the budget, yet. I guess things are getting better.

The bills we have are exciting: enabling Santa Barbara School Districts to unify and garner $6 million more each year, mapping the locations where new alternative energy is critically needed, doubling speeding fines in school zones when children are present, and promoting composting as an alternative to landfilling, which creates good jobs and helps the environment. But I don't always do it by making speeches. I observe. Listen. Ask questions and think critically. This is what it will take to get us to the way things should be, where people have good paying jobs that support a sustainable economy, where every child is afforded with the resources to reach his or her full potential, where our higher education system is our state’s economic engine.

I come back just about every week, usually Thursday nights. It's a district office day on Friday and community events on the weekend. I occasionally get a chance to surf and reflect. Above all I feel useful, and remain so honored to represent local people: our hopes, roots, and values.