California needs its leaders. That’s why I’ve called the Assembly back to Sacramento

Representative democracy makes no sense without representatives.

That is why I have called our 80-seat California State Assembly back into session as of May 4.

Our California government is an extension of every single person who lives here, and it must continue to function for the benefit of every single person here.

We, as elected representatives, have a duty to continue to steer this state through difficult times.

We have to maneuver between the whirlpool that will continue to suck California down if we do not act, and the rock where the monster of the coronavirus threatens us if we don’t keep our social distance.

This is not an easy decision.

Members of my Democratic caucus are concerned, understandably, with the health risks of returning to work in public spaces.

It is true that there are risks, and that is true each time we step outside our house, buy groceries, ride in an automobile or greet a friend.

With the advice of experts and public health officers, however, we will bring those risks down to a tolerable minimum, which will allow us to conduct policy without unacceptably endangering the health of legislators, staff members or the public.

We will limit entry to the Capitol and hearing rooms and maximize spacing between participants. We can provide electronic input and testimony for committees in a number of user-friendly ways.

The experience we already have with recent budget subcommittee meetings shows us that access is broad and participation is robust.

Why don’t we just go to virtual, remote voting?

I think that’s a legitimate question, but only for the future. Our legal advisors have suggested we would be in another risky position if we attempt to vote that way under current laws.

Already, from outside our range of experts, the nation’s most fervent advocate of the Bill of Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union, has issued a warning:

“There are serious legal constraints against conducting legislative business with members not physically present and fully available to the public in one place, and any legislation enacted by such a process is vulnerable to legal challenge.”

I believe they are correct, but I know there are opposing views. This is a matter that won’t be settled until it is settled by judges or justices.

We don’t have the luxury of waiting for that.

We already have millions of people without jobs. We already are seeing state resources disappear when we need them most.

That is the whirlpool that could drag us down if we do not act.

And we must act in democratic fashion.

The people of California cannot leave the state on autopilot, nor turn complete control over to a single man.

Gov. Gavin Newsom needs the help of the Legislature, both as support and to check his work.

This is what democracy is about.

This is the only way we will come out of this crisis strong enough to, once again, be a model for the rest of this nation.