CA State Senator Holly Mitchell: evidence-based policy & local elections
Senator Mitchell answered questions about her extensive record of evidence-based and data-backed legislation, her process of involving scientists in her decision-making, and measures affecting LA County right now, like Measure J and the allocation of resources to alternatives to incarceration. She also gave us tangible steps for how scientists can involve themselves in policymaking!
This event took place on October 5th, 2020, as part of our ongoing series about the importance of local elections. Most of us recognize the importance of the national election, but even though local elections are just as important, they are less publicized. To make sure that students are equipped for the upcoming election, we will be talking about the tangible, everyday effects of local offices like LA County Supervisor, the District Attorney, and more.
Watch the full video on our youtube channel, or download the transcript and read our questions below!
Read our questions below:
1) Does the idea for legislation precede supporting data, or vice versa? You have a strong record of introducing evidence-based legislation, and I’m curious about your process when it comes to creating such legislation. For instance, you have worked to protect minors from waving their Miranda rights. I was struck to learn that up to 90% of kids in the US correctional system were coerced into waiving their Miranda rights, and that in the last three decades, over 70% of exonerated juveniles under 15 were found to have falsely confessed. The data clearly communicates the necessity for your custodial interrogation law. So when crafting legislation, what is your process when it comes to data? If relevant research does not exist, how do you approach quantifying the issue so that you can present a compelling case to your fellow legislators?
2) Decades of research demonstrates that incarceration can disrupt generations of health care access, educational attainment, and economic prospects -- a cost that is not justified by proportionate improvements to recidivism rates or public safety outcomes. Currently, 42% of the county budget is allocated to law enforcement and the legal system. You’ve endorsed Measure J, an LA county initiative that would commit 10% of the county budget from local tax revenue to community investment and alternatives to incarceration. Since county budgeting is one of the responsibilities of the Board of Supervisors, is it the Board of Supervisors that will then decide how exactly to allocate that 10%? If so, an overhaul of our public safety and justice system is a momentous undertaking. Could you talk about how you would approach this responsibility, and what experts may you enlist?
3) I now want to ask about equity in women’s health, a conversation that is often dominated by the politicization of reproductive care, but -- as of course you’re aware -- encompasses much wider issues, often shaped by institutional racism and generational trauma. Resulting patterns of substance use, school dropouts, unplanned pregnancies, and incarceration all threaten a woman’s bodily autonomy and economic freedom. For example, the Los Angeles STAR Court is a specialized court for victims of child sex trafficking. The court has reported that 80% of the girls have been in the child welfare system, that 90% are Black, and 90% have engaged in substance use, a characteristic coping mechanism to survive and recover from sexual trauma. It’s evident that the effects of systemic racism on women’s health are immense, but you’ve been able to enact significant progress in California by addressing racial disparities in maternal health care. As county supervisor, how would you approach protecting the health and future of young women in Los Angeles?
4) Los Angeles has many issues contributing to poor air quality. It’s the largest urban oil field in the country -- with many residents living within a quarter mile of an oil well -- and it’s home to some of the largest methane gas leaks in the country. As a state senator, you introduced a fracking ban for the state of California which failed to pass. What do you think is holding back the state of California from making similar environmental policies, and how can we -- as scientists -- support your efforts for achieving environmental protections?
5) You are currently a State Senator and the Chair of the Senate’s Budget Committee. Could you describe the network of independent researchers that are available to help with policy development? Is there a built-in STEM network or process for connecting to researchers? And how do you envision this changing if you switch roles from State Senator to County Supervisor?
6) Los Angeles imports around 80% of its water from other areas, making it one of the top 5 driest big cities in the country. We also know that old infrastructure can lead to contaminated water with old piping and contaminated wells.. What mechanisms or steps that can be taken by the board of supervisors to aid in more sustainable and safe sourcing of water?
