Q: Richard, for those in Brentwood who don’t know you, tell us a little about yourself.
A: Many people know me as the hard working Mayor of Santa Monica, my home of 30 years, where I have championed sustainability, education and a vibrant, jobs rich economy.
I have numerous regional and statewide roles. I am a California Coastal Commissioner, Chair of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission and Westside Cities Council of Governments and I hold a seat at the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
I have lived in our Assembly District for more than 45 years. I attended Fairfax High, UCLA and Loyola School of Law. For over a decade, my law offices were located in Brentwood. I am very familiar with the community.
I am married to Robbie Black; we have two children. I’ve served as a PTA vice-president, youth sports coach, neighborhood group president and Red Cross Treasurer.
I have operated my own business as a family law attorney for nearly 35 years and have developed a talent for working with families in crisis. I have served as a settlement officer and mediator for the Los Angeles Superior Court and have executive experience at two non-profits.
Q: What is it you hope to accomplish if you are elected our assembly member?
A: I want to restore confidence in state government that has been lost due to political polarization and an inability to effectively budget. Californians generally share the same priorities. They prize a strong economy, jobs, excellent public education and strong environmental values. We accomplished all of these in Santa Monica and I want to bring that kind of success to Sacramento.
Q: Seems like Santa Monica did a lot in recent years to draw in new businesses. That might be good for Santa Monica, but many on the Westside think it added significantly to traffic as commuters drive to and from Santa Monica. Anything you’d like to say about this?
A: I appreciate the recognition of Santa Monica’s economic success and am proud to have played an important role. Santa Monica is at the forefront in providing a regional model for reducing traffic. We are making the city more walkable and are spending millions on bicycle infrastructure. The Expo light rail will be complete in early 2016. All new development in Santa Monica is required to be “green†and contribute to reducing traffic.
Q: What good ideas from Santa Monica would you like
to see implemented across District 50?
A: Santa Monica’s Sustainable Cities Plan is a model for our region and our state. The plan encompasses the environment, education, our economy and much more. We must recognize that solutions to our many problems require resources that are created by a successful economy. Santa Monica is incubating a tech boom and growing the tourism industry. As these sectors grow and expand, our region will prosper and help propel the state forward.
Q: Sacramento strikes many as particularly dysfunctional. What can you do to help change this?
A: I The public is tired of Sacramento’s polarization and failed fiscal policies. I like to work with disparate groups to get things done. As a local leader, I’ve balanced our budget every year and implemented “good government†reforms like pay as you go budgeting, two-year budgets and maintaining a “rainy day fund†.
Q: Anything else?
A: The greatest challenge we face is putting California on a fair, responsible and sustainable fiscal path and getting people back to work. As Mayor of Santa Monica, I have proven that when people work together we can accomplish great things while enhancing our economic vitality.
