Editor’s Note: Maeley Tom’s profiles of APA legislators wrap up with freshman Van Tran, veteran Leland Yee and newcomer Ted Lieu. This week’s election may leave unfinished business for all of the APA lawmakers. Depending on the results of Propositions 76 and 77, legislators may face new political districts and a new budget process. If some measures fail, the governor and legislature may consider alternatives. What voters saw on last Tuesday’s ballot may be seen again January. The outcomes could change the political tone for 2006. Stay tuned.
ASSEMBLYMAN VAN TRAN (R-WESTMINSTER)
Major Accomplishment: I am proud that my AB 462 passed the Legislature with near unanimous support and was just signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger. One of my priorities as a legislator is to cut waste in government. This bill does that by streamlining the approval process for state highways, eliminating duplicative process, improving the quality of public access for our disabled citizens, and speeding up delivery of better freeways. Disappointments: Too many times good policy falls victim to pressure from extreme special interests. We need more legislators to focus on what’s good for California and less on what’s good for partisan reasons and special interest groups. Next Year: I will continue to ferret out waste and redundancy in state government. We need to drive down wasted spending so that our resources can be put to better use in such areas as education and transportation.
ASSEMBLYMAN LELAND YEE (D –SAN FRANCISCO)
Major Accomplishment: My AB 1179, which protects children from the harmful effects of violent video games and gives parents a necessary tool in raising healthy kids. These ultra-violent video games also teach our children to accept negative stereotype images of different ethnic cultures. The bill is currently on the Governor’s desk awaiting signature. Disappointments: The failure of my legislative efforts to protect children from being used as language interpreters during sensitive and critical medical situations. No child should have to interpret that their mother or father has cancer. No adult should have to rely on a child to interpret medical data and the proper dosage of a prescription. Next Year: I plan to continue my fight for the environment, mental health services, working families and children. I will also be concentrating my efforts to win the 8th Senate District representing San Francisco and San Mateo County in the Nov. 2006 election.
THE BEST OF 2005: THE LANDSLIDE VICTORY OF ASSEMBLYMAN TED LIEU (D-TORRANCE)
On Sept. 21, I watched one of the brightest political stars being sworn in as an Assemblymember with his lovely wife Betty by his side. I remember the first time I met this impressive young man during the first Clinton/Gore campaign. He was among the young eager volunteers who wanted to help Asians make a difference in that election. His energy and focus on learning everything he could about the nuts and bolts of campaign work from the bottom up impressed me tremendously.
His successful assembly campaign is a tribute to his solid record in his district as an active participant in community affairs and local government. His character, integrity and trustworthiness made him a role model in Asian politics and within the APA community.
His genuine humility came through in his acceptance speech when he gave acknowledgments to his mentors, former Assemblyman George Nakano and the late Assemblyman Mike Gordon, who Ted is replacing in the Assembly. But, the most touching tribute Ted made was to his wife who he described as “my best friend, my soul mate and the love of my life.”
Van Tran
(R-Westminster)
YEARS IN OFFICE: 5
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS: Sits on Banking and Finance Committee, Business and Professions Committee. He is Vice-Chair of the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee.
TERM OUT: End of 2010
WHAT NEXT: Unannounced
Leland Yee
(D-San Francisco)
YEARS IN OFFICE: 17
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS: Chairs Children’s Physical and Mental Well-being in Diverse California Communities Select Committee. Sits on Appropriations Committee, Business and Professions Committee and Governmental Organization Committee.
TERM OUT: End of 2008
WHAT NEXT: Running for State Senate in 2006
Ted Lieu (D-Torrance)
YEARS IN OFFICE: 7 years
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS: Not yet appointed.
TERM OUT: End of 2010
WHAT NEXT: Unannounced
— Compiled by Erin Pursell
Featured on Oct. 20: Wilma Chan, Judy Chu and Alan Nakanishi. Featured on Oct. 27: Shirley Horton, Carol Liu, Alberto Torrico.