In the early days of my career, as an advocate at Crystal Stairs, a nonprofit providing childcare and early learning to Los Angeles County children, including those in foster care, I saw firsthand how high-quality, early childhood education improves the lives of families. As your Assemblymember, I fought for the budget (signed into law on July 1st, 2019) that affords free public preschool for all 4-year-olds living in neighborhoods where most school children are low income. It’s a step toward my long-term objective to implement free, universal preschool throughout our state.

Informed in part by the time I spent on the Los Angeles Community College Board, I’m committed to finding a way to fund free education for a student’s complete path from early childhood through higher education, including college. This year, we increased the state budget to provide two years of free community college tuition for first-time, full-time students. We also passed a tuition freeze and increased enrollment slots at University of California and Cal State University systems for the coming academic year.

Eliminating discrimination in schools is critical to learning. I coauthored AB 2735, which ensures English learners are not denied enrollment in core curriculum courses required for high school graduation, and SB 188 to end discrimination based on a person’s natural hairstyle, a law intended to reverse the racist ideology that Black traits are inferior traits.

Education is the great equalizer. I seek to grow opportunities for all students to pursue education and to make those educational environments more equal and encouraging for everyone.

I’m proud to represent the many institutions of higher learning in the district, including UCLA and West Los Angeles Community College.