KELLY'S
Priorities
Improving Public Safety
The safety of the public is, and always has been, my top priority.
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That’s why as Mayor and on the City Council, I have always supported increasing investments in law enforcement.
Our deputy sheriffs serve on the frontlines of the effort to combat crime and keep local neighborhoods safe and they always have my support.
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As a strong public safety advocate, I proudly supported Proposition 36 in the 2024 election, which was a response to the increase in crime & retail theft across California. Prop 36 aims to reduce crime by increasing punishment for repeated theft and hard drug offenses and requires treatment for repeat criminal addicts.
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In L.A. County, I opposed George Gascón and publicly endorsed Nathan Hochman for District Attorney because I knew he would hold criminals accountable, actually prosecute crime and work to improve public safety.
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In the State Assembly, I will work to:
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Invest more in law enforcement to ensure we have adequate staffing at the local and state level
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Increase the use of technologies to help combat crime, improve the safety for officers on the front lines and keep the public safe
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Advocate for more resources for the implementation of Prop. 36 which must include increased capacity for substance abuse and mental health treatment
Expanding Firefighting Resources
As someone who lives in and represents a city that is located in a high fire zone, I understand the unique challenges faced by California communities in wildfire zones.
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For over a decade, I have consistently supported allocating more resources to our firefighters who serve Westlake Village.
Still, we need to do more at the state level to increase funding for local and state fire departments – which are under-staffed and under-resourced.
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The recent wildfires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, as well as previous wildfires throughout the region, make it clear that individual cities and counties cannot battle future fire events like this alone. More state help is required.
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In the State Assembly, I will work to:
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Bolster staffing for local and state firefighters so that city, county and state fire departments have adequate staffing.
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Invest in technology to modernize fire fighting, including more planes and helicopters for water drops, drones, new fire engines, and tools and equipment to protect firefighters on the job and enhance fire fighting operations
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Secure funding for home hardening grants for homeowners to enable them to make their homes more fire resistant
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Work with the Dept. of Insurance to incentivize private insurers to come back to the California market without large rate increases for homeowners
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Require private insurers to recognize and participate in home hardening programs and provide discounts to their insureds who have met the requirements of these programs
Strengthening Our Economy
California may be the 4th largest economy in the world, but there’s far more that we can do to strengthen our economy, protect workers, create more good-paying middle class jobs and help our businesses thrive.
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Small businesses represent the backbone of California’s economy and we must do more to help them compete and thrive in our local communities.
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At the same time, California is home to Hollywood, the nation’s largest ports, Silicon Valley, nationally recognized universities, and so much more. The state can and must do more to promote our California based industries to protect and further strengthen them, which will create more homegrown good-paying jobs for our people.
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Our state also needs to address the high cost of living and ensure that workers are paid decent, fair and livable wages, that their rights are protected and that they can retire with dignity.
Collaborative Approach to Housing
California has a shortage of affordable housing for working families.
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To address this, we urgently need to increase our supply of housing throughout the state, including more affordable housing.
In high fire-risk areas like ours, new housing must be fire-resistant and come with accessible evacuation routes.
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The top-down, overreaching, one size fits all mandates imposed by Sacramento on cities do not work for our region.
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Instead, we need city and county control over housing development. The state must collaborate with local governments to achieve our mutual goal of providing much needed housing for our workforce and enabling residents to live where they work.
Protecting Our Environment
As we witnessed with the Pacific Palisades and Altadena Wildfires, climate change is here and it’s only getting worse. That’s why I believe California needs to do more to protect our environment and invest in clean, sustainable and renewable energy.​
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In the State Assembly, I will work to:
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Protect clean air and water as well as our coast for local communities
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Promote water conservation efforts to ensure we have the water resources we need when our community needs it
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Safeguard greenspace and public lands to ensure current and future generations can enjoy
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Expand the production of clean energy technologies like wind and solar to power our local economies
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Fund high-tech research and development for emerging clean energy technologies like decarbonization
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Support a just transition for workers by expanding access to good-paying clean energy jobs with benefits and help to unionize the growing green economy
Improving Public Schools
California’s economy depends on our children and future generations succeeding. That’s why our students deserve a world-class education that prepares them for the jobs of tomorrow.​
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In the State Assembly, I will work to:
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Reduce class sizes so that students can get the attention and care they need
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Upgrade aging school infrastructure to ensure public schools are secure, safe, and have healthy HVAC systems so kids can breathe clean air
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Modernize energy production and consumption on school campuses, equipping schools with solar panels and energy efficient buildings
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Expand access to extracurricular activities, including the arts, athletics, technology and after-school programs to enhance enrichment opportunities for students
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Increase resources for after-school programs so kids can stay off the streets, in school and out of harm
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Expand vocational education and apprenticeship programs in schools to prepare students not pursuing college for good-paying careers in the skilled trades
Increasing Access to Healthcare
California must have healthcare that is accessible and affordable for its people – period.​
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We need a healthcare system where patients get the care when and where they need it. At the same time, we need a healthcare system that incentivizes doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and other healthcare professionals to work in these fields – and also where hospitals and clinics can compete and thrive.
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We also must ensure that all women have the right to a safe, legal abortion and that Planned Parenthood gets the funding it needs for women’s health and reproductive care.
Putting People Over Party
In recent years, our politics have become far too polarizing. What once were civil debates about policy, have now turned into endless culture wars.​
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I am running for State Assembly to bring common sense back to government. Pragmatism, level headedness and finding common ground will be at the core of our agenda. So too will the issues of improving public safety, housing, better schools, access to healthcare and protecting our environment.
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Being an elected official means that the people that you represent take precedence over everything. We too often see legislators prioritize the party over the people, resulting in extreme partisan agendas that are not always beneficial to the majority of Californians. I will work with all members of the Assembly, regardless of party, in a civil, cooperative way to achieve the best results possible for the people we represent.