Assemblyman Steve Bradford met with constituents, elected officials and Loyola Marymount students Saturday, Nov. 20, to update them on his work in Sacramento and get their suggestions for further action. After a brief address, the crowd of about 75 broke into groups for further discussion.

Bradford, who represents the 51st Assembly District, said that he has introduced 14 bills in the current legislative session, of which seven have gone to the governor’s desk and five were signed into law. Top on Bradford’s list of accomplishments is a new law that opens green-technology supplier opportunities to businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans. Stressing diversity, he noted that “it is important that the future looks like California; that the workforce looks like California.”

Bradford also discussed the Disability Benefits — EBT Bill (AB 2188), which was signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger and allows the state to issue disability, unemployment and paid family leave benefits through direct deposit and pay cards. He highlighted proposed bills that would allow the electronic storing of school records and promote expanded parking restriction enforcement on residential streets.

The four breakout sessions covered education, health and human services, small business, and women’s issues. The groups were asked to brainstorm legislative ideas for the upcoming Assembly session.

Bradford entered the Assembly by winning a September 2009 special election, and he won his first full term in November 2010. The 51st Assembly District comprises Hawthorne, Lawndale, Inglewood, Lennox, South Central L.A., Westchester, Gardena, Willowbrook, Playa Vista, and parts of Ladera Heights and West Compton.

Posted Nov. 24, 2010