Source: Op Ed by Assemblymember Holden
Serving in the California Assembly the last 12 years has been the most exhilarating, exhausting, impactful, stressful, consequential and innovative endeavor I could have imagined. Legislating laws that protect the most vulnerable and disenfranchised has been my North Star. Instilling hope and promise for an inclusive society is why I serve. When I entered the Assembly in 2013 as a member of the new 12-year legislative class, I remember thinking that this was our opportunity to be good stewards and envision the best for California. I had my sights set on protecting the natural environment and investing in deferred infrastructure improvements for roads, bridges and highways. I made goals of creating policies that work to improve water delivery systems and modernizing the electric grid to 100% carbon-free power to meet the challenges of a changing climate reliably and cost-effectively.
This is the passion for the possible that I have carried into the state Capitol every day for nearly a dozen years. Whether under the leadership of Gov. Jerry Brown or Gov. Gavin Newsom, I can look back and see the advancements the Legislature has made by virtue of policy, budget and ballot victories, steadily moving the state forward. Helping to guide the largest state in the union and fifth-largest economy in the world affords the opportunity to architect solutions that meet the challenges of California, the nation and the global community. I look around at the jobs that were created through expanding opportunities in solar, wind, offshore wind, geothermal, lithium and cap-and-trade market development and I feel a resounding sense of inspiration.
Investment in transportation and interconnectivity is a priority of mine that dates back to serving on the Pasadena City Council. I stepped onto the Assembly floor committed to completing the Gold Line through the San Gabriel Valley to Montclair, and someday onto the Ontario Airport. Equity involves connecting people. Cutting down traffic is critical and is the reason I worked to end the 710 Freeway extension and provided state resources to study extending the Gold Line to Burbank Airport. Serving as an assemblyman has given me the opportunity to think big and lay the groundwork for a light rail system connecting two airports. There is great satisfaction in knowing that I, along with my colleagues, was instrumental in ensuring impactful progress.
Throughout this journey, I faced my fair share of storms. As chair of the Assembly Committee on Utility and Energy, it was my responsibility to help establish policy and navigate through eight of the 10 largest wildfires in state history while facilitating a pathway for the largest utility in the country, PG&E, out of bankruptcy. This involved preventing future rolling blackouts and working with the governor and Legislature to control utility companies’ exposure to wildfire liability. Looking back, I reflect on the chaos of that moment and the composure it took for us to achieve legislative solutions that regained market stability.
Twelve years in and over 180 authored bills later and I can say that I have been a part of bringing real change to the state of California. Even as I make my exit, I will continue to see my dual-enrollment legislation benefit students, reflect on my time as majority leader, chair of the Black Caucus, chair of Appropriations and all of the moments that inspired me to reach higher. Our district has grown, bonded and healed time and time again. It has been a special honor to support early earthquake and wildfire warnings, library funding, transportation and resources for the developmental disability community, the performing arts and more by bringing home hundreds of millions to the 41st District. I am blessed and privileged to have had an amazing family and staff assist, console and inspire me along the way. It has been both exhilarating and exhausting — but such a great ride.