Summary
Laura Syril Friedman (born December 3, 1966) is an American politician and former film producer who is the member-elect for California’s 30th congressional district.
A member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented California’s 44th State Assembly district from 2016 to 2024.
OnAir Post: Laura Friedman CA-30
About
Source: Campaign Site
Laura Friedman is running to succeed Congressmember Adam Schiff in California’s 30th Congressional District. Laura has an extraordinary record of progressive leadership as a State Assemblymember; Glendale City Councilmember and Mayor, community activist; and in the private sector.
From banning gun shows from being held on Glendale city property and across the street from schools, authoring meaningful legislation to add more affordable housing, ending the fur trade in California, co-authoring single-payer healthcare legislation and authoring first-in-the-nation legislation to combat climate change, Laura has achieved results on every progressive issue in California politics. Now she wants to use her experience to bring about effective change in Congress.
Web Links
Politics
Source: Wikipedia
Prior to her election to the Assembly in 2016, Friedman was a member of the Glendale City Council from 2009 to 2016, where she served as mayor of Glendale from 2011 until 2012. She is the author of a landmark pro-housing bill to eliminate minimum parking requirements for housing near mass transit stations throughout the state of California; the bill was signed into law in 2022.
In January 2023, Friedman launched her candidacy in the 2024 election in California’s 30th congressional district. The incumbent representative, Adam Schiff, vacated the seat in his successful bid in the 2024 United States Senate election in California.
Finances
Source: Vote Smart
New Legislation
Issues
Source: Campaign page
HEALTHCARE
Laura believes that healthcare is a human right.
During her time in the State Assembly, Laura has authored and supported important legislation to increase access to healthcare for millions of Californians, lower drug prices, empower healthcare professionals, and has been a vocal supporter of single-payer healthcare and putting our state on the path to healthcare for all.
Laura has vowed to continue to fight until everyone has access to quality and affordable healthcare.
Key Legislative Accomplishments
✔ Authored a bill which would have eliminated arbitrary and burdensome physician-to-nurse practitioner ratios in order to ease access to healthcare, especially in underserved communities
✔ Authored legislation that would have created a personal income tax credit for middle class Californians to help pay the cost of health insurance premiums
✔ Coauthored a measure aiming to end the sale of dangerous flavored tobacco products in California
✔ Coauthored SB 562 and AB 1400, measures that would have put California on a path to a single-payer healthcare system
✔ Served on the Assembly Select Committee on Healthcare Delivery Systems and Universal Coverage as a vocal proponent of universal healthcare
ENVIRONMENT
Laura is a proven environmental champion.
As a California State Assemblymember, as a Glendale City Councilmember and Mayor, and as a citizen, Laura Friedman has led on groundbreaking local and state environmental policies. Laura is uncompromising in her commitment to combating the climate crisis through increased utilization and development of clean energy and promoting sustainable methods of transportation for people and goods.
Laura is ready to bring her track-record of effective environmental leadership to Washington.
Key Legislative Accomplishments
✔ Succeeded in passing legislation that ensures the state prioritizes wildlife connectivity infrastructure, such as wildlife crossings, including requiring the state implement at least 10 projects annually
✔ Authored and passed AB 44, making it illegal to manufacture or sell a new animal fur product in California.
✔ Principal co-author of legislation that has put California on the path to phasing out single-use plastics by requiring all packaging in the state to be recyclable or compostable by 2032
✔ Successfully passed measures banning the use of dangerous PFAS chemicals in consumer products – including cosmetics and children’s toys
✔ Co-author of the California Ecosystems Protection Act (AB 1788), which banned the use of rat poison and rodenticides threatening California’s wildlife.
✔ Introduced and had signed into law landmark water management legislation that modernized the way we manage our water in order to guard against future droughts and eliminate waste and inefficiencies
✔ Authored AB 3232, which has put California on a path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from California’s residential and commercial buildings by 40 percent by 2030
WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Laura has fought for the rights of women her whole life.
In the wake of a wave of sexual harassment allegations that came to light in the Capitol, Laura served as the Chair of the Joint Rules Subcommittee on Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response, overseeing a groundbreaking culture and procedural change that shifted how the legislature handles allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation in the Capitol.
As the first women to serve the 30th Congressional District in Congress, Laura will be a fearless defender of women’s rights to their bodies, equal pay, and equal treatment under the law.
Key Legislative Accomplishments
✔ Authored AB 2024 to eliminate copays and cost sharing for supplemental breast cancer screening and diagnosis
✔ Coauthored SCA 10, the Constitutional Amendment to protect reproductive freedom, including the fundamental right to choose an abortion and contraceptives
✔ Coauthored SB 245 to eliminate cost sharing for abortion services
✔ Worked with her colleagues in the Legislative Women’s Caucus to secure $1.9 billion in state funding for child care, over $200 million for expanding and improving access to reproductive health care, and $31.4 million to support workforce opportunities for women
HOUSING
aura is a bold advocate for housing affordability.
Laura believes that housing affordability and homelessness is Los Angeles’ most urgent crisis. Laura has worked to increase our affordable housing stock; cut red tape that has prevented the development of housing; voted to invest billions of dollars in funds towards new housing and homelessness services; increased tenant protections; and fought hard to make sure those living on our streets have access to the care and services they need.
In congress, Laura will fight for the resources and legislative action we need to combat the homelessness epidemic and make housing more accessible to all people.
Key Legislative Accomplishments
✔ Successfully passed AB 2097, abolishing mandatory parking requirements within one half mile of major transit stops
✔ Authored and signed into law a package of bills that have cut red tape, helping homeowners and affordable housing organizations utilize accessory dwelling units (ADUs or ‘granny flats’) as tools for adding more housing, especially affordable units, in our communities
✔ Authored and signed into law a measure that will encourage development of affordable housing near Los Angeles County’s most traveled mass transit corridor – Metro’s Orange Line
✔ Authored and signed into law legislation extending the rent notification period landlords are required to provide tenants to give renters more time to properly plan for a rent increase
✔ Supported legislation signed into law that caps annual rent increases in California at 5% plus the cost of living until 2030
✔ Proposed legislation that aimed to bolster the development of housing near transit by authorizing local governments to provide property tax reimbursements for compact and efficient housing projects near high-quality transit
✔ Joined a bipartisan coalition of legislators to author a bill that will create an affordable housing preservation tax credit that has the potential to preserve over 25,000 units of affordable housing in communities across California
TRANSPORTATION
Laura has brought revolutionary change to CA transportation policy.
Laura has earned a reputation as a forward-thinking policymaker who understands the key role transportation plays in shaping the future of our state. Laura has been a steadfast advocate for better, more efficient, mass transit options such as rail and improved bus service; for more active transportation options in urban areas including safe bike and pedestrian infrastructure; and for the utilization of emerging technologies to greatly improve how people move around where they live, work, and play.
In Washington, Laura will continue her work of making our nation’s transportation policies more equitable and sustainable.
Key Legislative Accomplishments
✔ Authored AB 43, which gives cities more control over deciding how speed limits should be set and whether they should be reduced on certain roads and highways, especially in areas that have higher traffic safety concerns
✔ Authored the OmniBike Bill, which made changes to the vehicle code to recognize that car rules don’t always work for bikes
✔ Secured millions of dollars in funding to support Los Angeles’ bike and pedestrian infrastructure, including securing $5 million for the Colorado Bridge Undercrossing
✔ Authored and had signed into law a measure encouraging the development of affordable housing near Los Angeles County’s most traveled mass transit corridor – Metro’s Orange Line
✔ Secured $30 million for the completion of the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk Bridge, a safe bike and pedestrian bridge connecting Glendale to Griffith Park
✔ Authored legislation to shift money away from highway widenings and into mass transit and active transportation infrastructure
LGBTQIA+ RIGHTS
Laura is a lifelong champion for LGBTQIA+ rights.
Laura believes that LGBTQIA+ rights are fundamental human rights and that we can not have a free and equitable society until we protect the rights of all. Laura has fought to end LGBTQIA+ job and housing discrimination; to increase healthcare access and protections for transgender individuals; has supported efforts by Equality California to protect Trans and gender diverse individuals; and has worked to ensure all spaces are open and welcoming to people across the spectrum of gender and sexual orientation.
Laura will always fight to protect and elevate the rights of all LGBTQIA+ people who call our nation home.
Key Legislative Accomplishments
✔ Authored AB 2663 to ensure that every domestic partnership has equal access to full and equal benefits, including property tax exclusions
✔ Coauthored SB 179 to allow for a third gender option on state documents
✔ Supported SB 107 to protect individuals seeking gender-affirming health care
CIVIL RIGHTS
Laura is unwavering in her commitment to uphold and defend the rights of all people.
Laura is a lifelong defender of human rights. As an Assemblymember, Laura has a track record of proposing and passing legislation to end sexual harassment and retaliation in the workplace, reform our broken criminal justice system, protect immigrants, ensure foster youth have the resources they need to lead successful lives, and to strengthen protections for the elderly and people with disabilities in residential care facilities. As a leader and citizen of California, Laura will continue to fight to ensure that our nation is a truly equitable place for everyone.
Laura will continue to be a staunch defender of equity and justice.
Key Legislative Accomplishments
✔ Served as the Chair of the Joint Rules Subcommittee on Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response. In the wake of a wave of sexual harassment allegations that came to light in the Capitol, she oversaw a groundbreaking culture and procedural change that shifted how the legislature handles allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation in the Capitol
✔ Coauthored AB 57 which requires the peace officer curriculum to include instruction on hate crimes
✔ Coauthored AB 1242 which prohibits law enforcement from cooperating with or providing information to out-of-state entities regarding lawful abortion in California
✔ Coauthored AB 1506 which requires the California Attorney General to investigate the police use of deadly force
✔ Led a bipartisan group of legislators on a measure that extended the window for reporting workplace sexual harassment from one to three years – ensuring that victims that may fear retaliation have adequate time to take legal action
✔ Authored a bill that proposed new legal protections for foster youth who are victims of human trafficking
WORKER’S RIGHTS
Laura will work every day to protect our workers.
Laura has been a champion for organizer labor throughout her career. As a Glendale City Councilmember Laura spearheaded the City’s first Project Labor Agreement. As an Assemblymember, Laura has worked closely with union members to address equity and justice, including efforts to ensure University of California campuses use union labor; to increase emergency funding, PPE, and protections to workers during the COVID-19 pandemic; and has joined union members in her districts in advocating for a living wage and workplace protections.
In Congress, Laura will always be a champion for working people, including being committed to fight for a federal $15 minimum wage.
Key Legislative Accomplishments
✔ Coauthored bills to extend and expand California’s film and television tax credit to keep production and jobs in California
✔ Authored several bills to protect employees from sexual harassment and discrimination
✔ Coauthored SB 63 to provide job-protected maternity and paternity leave
✔ Coauthored bills to support the rights of workers to organize
✔ Coauthored ACA 14 to ensure equal employment opportunity standards for university employees
✔ Supported SB 1383 to expand the California Family Rights Act and family leave benefits
✔ Supported legislation to combat wage theft and protect workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals
More Information
Wikipedia
Contents
Laura Syril Friedman[1] (born December 3, 1966)[2] is an American politician and former film producer who is the member-elect for California’s 30th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented California’s 44th State Assembly district from 2016 to 2024.
Prior to her election to the Assembly in 2016, Friedman was a member of the Glendale City Council from 2009 to 2016,[3] where she served as mayor of Glendale from 2011 until 2012.[4] She is the author of a landmark pro-housing bill to eliminate minimum parking requirements for housing near mass transit stations throughout the state of California; the bill was signed into law in 2022.[5]
In January 2023, Friedman launched her candidacy in the 2024 election in California’s 30th congressional district.[6] The incumbent representative, Adam Schiff, vacated the seat in his successful bid in the 2024 United States Senate election in California.
Early life and career
Friedman comes from a Jewish family in New York.[7] She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Rochester in New York.[8] In 1992, Friedman moved to Hollywood, eventually relocating to Glendale in 2000 where she currently resides.
Between 1994 and 1997, Friedman was the vice president of development at Rysher Entertainment, where she oversaw the production of approximately ten feature films annually as well as extensive television programming.[9]
In 1995, Friedman was the co-producer of the Warner Brothers release It Takes Two.[10] In 1996 she was associate producer of House Arrest; executive producer of Foxfire; executive producer of the family film Zeus and Roxanne; and associate producer of the independent film Aberration, which was released by LIVE Entertainment. Between 1998 and 1999, Friedman was the vice president of development at Cort/Madden Company. Since 2000, Friedman has owned and managed PlanetGlass.net, a web-based art glass dealership.
Political career
In April 2011, Friedman became the mayor of Glendale, California.[11]
California State Assembly
After serving seven years on the Glendale City Council, including a term as the mayor of Glendale, Laura Friedman was elected to the California State Assembly in 2016. During her first term in office, Laura authored a package of bills to establish landmark water efficiency standards, strengthen environmental sustainability, improve access to higher education, health care, and transportation alternatives, and create new avenues for communities to tackle the affordable housing crisis. In addition, she secured $20 million in funding for the completion of the Glendale Riverwalk Project, which for the first time will provide a safe bicycle and pedestrian connection from Glendale to Griffith Park. She has been tapped for several leadership roles in the legislature and served as the Assistant Speaker pro Tempore for the Assembly in 2018. She has also served as Chair of Transportation Committee, Chair of Natural Resources, and the Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. As the Chair of the Joint Rules Subcommittee on Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response, she’s led a historic bicameral and bipartisan reform of the legislature’s response to sexual harassment that’s become a model for other states and local governments.
She also introduced the California legislative bill, AB-44, which made the sale and manufacture of new fur products illegal in California. It was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 12, 2019.[12][13]
On September 7, 2021, she delayed the release of $4 billion of voter approved bonds for the California High-Speed Rail, stating that the California High-Speed Rail Authority has “not provided us any real details about what the money would go towards this year”. The CHSRA Chief Financial Officer, Brian Annis, countered by stating that the CHSRA already presented to the legislature the expenditure plan in February 2021 and that this delayed release by Friedman could cause budget delays to snowball.[14]
Friedman is a member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.[15]
Electoral history
2016
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Laura Friedman | 33,276 | 31.9 | |
Democratic | Ardy Kassakhian | 25,357 | 24.3 | |
Republican | Mark MacCarley | 16,551 | 15.9 | |
Democratic | Andrew J. Blumenfield | 13,309 | 12.8 | |
Republican | Alexandra A. Bustamante | 6,524 | 6.3 | |
Democratic | Dennis R. Bullock | 4,294 | 4.1 | |
Democratic | Rajiv Dalal | 3,173 | 3.0 | |
American Independent | Aaron Cervantes | 1,873 | 1.8 | |
Total votes | 104,357 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Laura Friedman | 106,186 | 64.5 | |
Democratic | Ardy Kassakhian | 58,561 | 35.5 | |
Total votes | 164,747 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
2018
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Laura Friedman (incumbent) | 58,310 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 58,310 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Laura Friedman (incumbent) | 125,568 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 125,568 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
2020
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Laura Friedman (incumbent) | 88,541 | 75.6% | |
Republican | Mike Graves | 24,258 | 20.7% | |
No party preference | Robert J. Sexton | 4,264 | 3.6% | |
Total votes |
2022
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Laura Friedman (incumbent) | 80,209 | 73.2 | |
Republican | Barry Curtis Jacobsen | 29,381 | 26.8 | |
Total votes | 109,590 | 100% | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Laura Friedman (incumbent) | 113,380 | 71.4 | |
Republican | Barry Curtis Jacobsen | 45,519 | 28.6 | |
Total votes | 158,899 | 100% | ||
Democratic hold |
Personal life
Friedman is married to Guillaume Lemoine, a professional landscape designer.[9] The couple has a daughter, Rachel, born in 2013.
References
- ^ “Rep. Laura Friedman – D California, 30th- Biography”. LegiStorm. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/260580/Laura_Syril_Friedman.html
- ^ “Management Services: City Council”. City of Glendale. Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ Levine, Brittany (April 9, 2012). “Mayor Laura Friedman baffled by colleagues’ indecision”. Glendale News-Press.
- ^ Parker, Jordan (September 23, 2022). “YIMBYs cheer ‘landmark’ law to eliminate parking mandates in housing near transit”. San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ Mason, Melanie; Mehta, Seema (February 3, 2023). “As Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter launch Senate campaigns, the race to replace them begins”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ Arom, Eitan (January 6, 2017). “Jewish state legislators ready to make an impact”. Jewish Journal.
- ^ “Management Services: Laura Friedman”. City of Glendale. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ a b “Qualifications”. VoteLauraFriedman.com. January 9, 2009. Archived from the original on August 29, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
- ^ Klady, Leonard (November 20, 1995). “It Takes Two”. Variety. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
- ^ “Laura Friedman’s Biography”. Vote Smart. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
- ^ “Bill Text – AB-44 Fur products: prohibition”. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
- ^ Kaur, Harmeet (October 13, 2019). “California becomes the first state to ban fur products”. CNN.
- ^ Rudick, Roger (September 7, 2021). “Friedman Derails Bullet Train Budget”. Streetsblog California. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ “Legislative Progressive Caucus”. assembly.ca.gov. California State Assembly. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ “Primary Election – Statement of the Vote, June 7, 2022” (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ “General Election – Statement of the Vote, November 8, 2022 – State Assembly” (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
External links
- Official website
- Laura Friedman at ballotpedia.org
- Join California Laura Friedman
- Appearances on C-SPAN