Capitol Office State Capitol P.O. Box 942849 Sacramento, CA 94249-0016 Tel: (916) 319-2016 Fax: (916) 319-2116

District Office 1515 Clay Street Suite 2204 Oakland, CA 94612 Tel: (510) 286-1670 Fax: (510) 286-1888

Assemblymember Swanson's Background

Assemblymember Sandré Swanson proudly represents the vibrant East Bay communities of Oakland, Alameda, and Piedmont. An area native with deep ties to the community, Mr. Swanson was elected to his first term in the California State Assembly in 2006.

A long time activist, Assemblymember Sandré Swanson worked for five years as Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Chief of Staff after working for 25 years as the District Director and Senior Policy Advisor to former Congressman Ron Dellums. In these capacities, Assemblymember Swanson earned a reputation as a dedicated and hardworking public servant with an impressive record of accomplishments on behalf of the people of the district. Most recently, Assemblymember Swanson was the Chairman of the Alameda County Retirement Board and a Trustee for the successful $5 billion pension organization.

Whether crafting legislation or receiving input from his constituents on prospective bills, Assemblymember Sandré Swanson relies on his many years of experience dealing directly with the East Bay communities he now represents. Mr. Swanson is excited and honored to have the opportunity to continue working in partnership with the residents, community-based organizations and small businesses that are the fabric of the East Bay.

Assemblymember Swanson’s Legislative Priorities

Mr. Swanson came to Sacramento with a dynamic legislative agenda that reflects a long history of working with broad coalitions for the interests of the community. He is driven by a passion for the health, education, and safety of our children; for justice and equality in and outside of the workplace; and a deep commitment to improving access to healthcare. Through out his life ’s work, Mr. Swanson has believed that problems are best solved when all of the stakeholders are brought to the table. As a legislator, he continues to use this collaborative approach in tackling complex problems in a comprehensive, practical way.

As Chairman of the Labor and Employment Committee, Assemblymember Swanson embraces the fight for a living wage, good benefits, and decent working conditions. Mr. Swanson grew up in a union home, and knows first hand the debt of gratitude we owe to unions and the labor movement in California. He believes that California must continue to set the standard for the nation when it comes to workplace rights.

Another key priority for Mr. Swanson is an aggressive, common sense approach to reducing prison inmate recidivism through job training programs. He believes the state must begin to find better ways of helping young people in probation facilities return to society better equipped to be productive and prepared to live meaningful lives. Rounding out his legislative agenda, Mr. Swanson is committed to reinvigorating the economic vitality of the Bay Area. Assemblymember Swanson has extensive experience creating new opportunities for good paying jobs, and is always sensitive to how economic development impacts the environment.

Assemblymember Swanson’s First Bill

The first bill that Mr. Swanson introduced, AB 45, was in response to the Oakland community’s outspoken desire for a return of local governance and accountability to the parents, students, teachers, and children of the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). The OUSD has been in State receivership since 2003, having at that time received a $100 million loan from the State upon the discovery of severe financial disarray. A State Administrator was appointed by Superintendent Jack O’Connell and empowered to assume total control of all aspects of the OUSD. As a result of being in receivership, the governing board of OUSD had all of its rights, duties and powers removed. The OUSD has diligently complied with the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) recovery plans and has submitted all required progress reports. The district’s compliance and solid academic improvements prompted a recommendation from FCMAT’s latest report, issued on September 30th, 2006, to restore specific administrative and managerial functions to the School Board. To date, however, FCMAT’s recommendation to give the Oakland School Board authority over community relations and governance has not been granted by Superintendent O’Connell as recommended in this report. AB 45 will resolve the desire and need for an orderly and sustainable transfer of governance that ensures that parents can hold the School Board accountable for the educational decisions of their children. AB 45 will provide a quantitative way to measure improvement of the district, automating the process of transition to local authority, and creating a system that is clear to all and has credibility. Show your support for AB45 by clicking here.

Assemblymember Swanson's Committee Assignments

Mr. Swanson serves on two very important Budget Subcommittees. Budget Subcommittee 2 has jurisdiction over Education Finance and is responsible for the expenditures and allocations relating to K-12, Community Colleges, and both the California State University and University of California systems. Budget Subcommittee 4 has jurisdiction over State Administration. Subcommittee 4 oversees and allocates the finances of State Government agencies as well as state prisons.

In addition to the powerful Budget Committee, Mr. Swanson was assigned to three other committees of special importance to the 16th Assembly District. The Assembly Committee on Banking and Finance has jurisdiction over financial institutions, real property finance, and corporate securities law. The Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development has jurisdiction over building standards, common interest developments, eminent domain, homeless programs, housing discrimination, housing finance (including redevelopment), housing, natural disaster assistance and preparedness, land use planning, and rent control. Finally, the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee has jurisdiction over programs and policies affecting the entertainment industries, tourism, arts programs and museums, professional and amateur sports, and internet media.

Above taken from the bio on his official Assembly website