The California legislature must adapt to serve its constituents during COVID-19 crisis

The COVID-19 crisis has brought unprecedented changes into all our lives. No one has been untouched. The ways we live, work, and learn, have all been stood on end.

How Californians adapt to these changes will help determine not only how well we get through this pandemic, but also how well we meet the challenges that lie on the other side.

In the State Senate, we’re already adapting to changes that COVID-19 has forced upon us. To help flatten the COVID-19 curve and prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed, my colleagues and our staffs are finding new ways to provide our constituents with the information and resources they need while following social distancing orders and limiting in-person contact.

These technologies have also allowed us to be in close contact with Gov. Gavin Newsom and his team, who are doing an extraordinary job under the toughest of circumstances. In those conversations, I’ve found my background in local government has helped me work as a bridge between the state and our cities and county, helping them address the changes COVID-19 is creating for them.

Given the new realities COVID-19 has forced upon us, the Senate is testing technologies to enable us to remotely carry out some legislative responsibilities. With the unprecedented situation we’re in, taking this common-sense approach will help us ensure public participation without jeopardizing public health.

We know we’re trying something new here, but any risks are outweighed by the risks to public health if we were to violate statewide public health orders and do otherwise during this unprecedented crisis. The decision is easy.

Parents, students, and teachers all across California are already utilizing remote strategies. We know we can be effective in doing the same, and we are certain the situation we are facing and the technologies available to us go far beyond what any of our predecessors could possibly have envisioned. We are confident that any risks in our decision are outweighed by the grave implications of doing otherwise.

Our first hearing during this crisis will be on April 16, using some remote participation. That’s when the Senate’s bipartisan Special Budget Subcommittee on COVID-19 Response will meet to review expenditures made under the authority and funding we provided in March. When we passed the $1 billion COVID-19 appropriation, we assured Californians there would be appropriate legislative oversight.

The Senate is also adapting to change by shifting priorities to focus on these areas: COVID–19 policy response and action, budget accountability, review and improvement, economic recovery, and returning to legislative session while protecting the public health. Senators will be reducing the number of bills we carry to help keep the focus on these key areas.

With more changes and tough decisions ahead, it is good to know that, thanks to a decade of prudent state budgeting and significant additional federal support, we will be able to work through these uncertain times with California’s budget in the best shape it’s been in for years.

I am very proud of my colleagues in the Senate for how quickly they are adapting to change. Our conversations with constituents may happen more frequently online than in-person. Our hearings and sessions may be conducted differently from what we have become accustomed to. But with public health foremost in our minds, it simply can’t be business as usual following the same old customs and traditions. We can’t afford that gamble with public health.

COVID-19 is an unprecedented challenge. But it is a challenge all Californians will rise to meet – and it is a challenge the Senate is rising to meet as well.

This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 6:00 AM.