Pavley wants another term in state Assembly




Assemblywoman Fran Pavley

Assemblywoman Fran Pavley


By Stephanie Bertholdo
bertholdo@theacorn.com

Fran Pavley is prepared to tackle another two years of work as state Assemblywoman of the 41st District, which represents 423,000 residents in Agoura Hills, Hidden Hills, Calabasas, Oak Park, Woodland Hills, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Encino, Tarzana, Topanga, Port Hueneme and portions of Westlake Village and Oxnard.


Pavley has authored or co-authored 49 bills during her time in office, 30 of which were signed into law. They’ve centered on air and water quality issues, renewable energy incentives, domestic violence protection, children’s safety, park-and-ride lot incentives and education.


According to an election website, many of Pavley’s bills were the result of her listening to constituents and following through with legislation. Some of the legislation centered on hate crimes, identity theft and telemarketing scams. Other bills supported flexibility for school districts to enhance local control in decision-making. Pavley also wrote a bill to protect community college funding and cosponsored other bills that support police officers and firefighters, she said.


Although Pavley (D-Woodland Hills) has worked to pass many bills, she said she’s particularly proud of her work in air quality.


"One out of seven children carries an inhaler," she said. "There’s been an unbelievable, dramatic increase in childhood asthma," said Pavley. She introduced several bills on cleaner air, including funding for clean air programs.


She also introduced a truck-air-emissions bill governing vehicles entering the U.S. from foreign countries. It would require all commercial trucks over 10,000 pounds to meet federal air emissions standards.


"This bill has national and international implications," she said. "We’re a big state, the fifth biggest economy in the world. There are more people in California than all of Canada," Pavley said.


A state as big as California should think globally, she said.


"Environmental health issues are one of my highest priorities, along with education issues," Pavley said.


But her very first priority, she said, is the financial health of California. Once the state is back on track economically, Pavley wants California to invest in affordable healthcare for all residents. Although Pavley prefers a single-pay health plan, she believes that a blend of employer-paid programs for companies with more than 200 workers and state-subsidized healthcare would work best.


While she supports employer-paid healthcare for workers, she doesn’t believe it can be the ultimate solution.


Other healthcare issues concern Pavley. Emergency rooms are closing in the state at an alarming rate. "It’s a huge crisis," she said.


The state’s infrastructure is also near the top of Pavley’s priorities. "Roads, trains, infrastructure—they’re very costly but absolutely essential," she said. Commuters, she said, lose incredible hours just sitting in their vehicles. With an estimated 400,000 to 500,000 people moving into California each year, Pavley said, this issue must be addressed.


The state needs more water, too, because of its population growth. The state’s water plan is being adjusted because of climate change, according to Pavley. Residents and agriculture both need more water, she said.


Worker’s compensation and the cost of prescription drugs are Pavley’s other priorities.


Regarding the porous border with Mexico, California businesses contribute to illegal immigration, Pavley said.


"People are desperate for work to feed their families—that’s why (illegal immigrants) come here." A variety of businesses, including restaurants, car washes and textile industries hire illegal aliens––not just ranches and farms, she said. Once here, the state is responsible for educating their children and providing healthcare.


Pavley, 55, was the first and youngest mayor of Agoura Hills and served the city for four terms. Married with two adult children, Pavley lives in Agoura Hills.


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