Title

Influencing State Policy: An Insider's Perspective

Time

1:40pm - 3:00pm

Location

1605 Tilia, Room 1103, West Village

Abstract

Have you ever read a law and wondered, “Who writes this stuff?” or “What were they thinking?” In this seminar we will go beyond sophomore civics and discuss the inside scoop on how state policy is really made and laws passed. We will use in our discussion the recent passage of Senate Bill 1, California’s landmark transportation funding bill. Find out how best make sense of it all and, ultimately, influence these important decisions.

Biographical Sketch

Until her recent retirement, Janet Dawson worked for 11 years in the State Legislature as the Chief Consultant for the Assembly Transportation Committee. In this position, she was a key policy advisory to legislators on issues related to the work of Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the High-Speed Rail Authority, Air Resources Board, and other state agencies.

Prior to joining the Assembly, Ms. Dawson spent 16 years as a legislative representative for Caltrans. In 2001, Ms. Dawson was appointed by then-Governor Davis to the position of Caltrans Legislative Director. She served in that position well into the Schwarzenegger Administration until leaving to join the Assembly in 2007.

Ms. Dawson has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the California State University, Sacramento.