Elevate the 28th Newsletter

Welcome

Greetings Neighbor,

As we embark on a new year filled with possibilities, I extend my warmest welcome in our first newsletter issue for 2024.

In this issue, you’ll get a glimpse of my first few weeks back at the State Capitol for our new legislative year. You’ll also read about the Governor’s announcement of the state’s partnership with UCLA to acquire the former Westside Pavilion. Plus, you’ll learn about recent district happenings – our Coffee with the Senator event in Playa Vista and our participation in the Kingdom Day Parade in South L.A.  

We welcome you to visit our website to get more updates or to submit scheduling requests. And you’re free to reach our District or Capitol staff about any questions or assistance with accessing state services. 

Warm Regards,

Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
Senator, 28th District

On January 3, I was back at the State Capitol for our new legislative session. It’s been exciting to start working on new legislation that focuses on the needs of California’s working families. This year, I’m presenting another bill package that addresses the state’s poverty crisis to create a more equitable California.

The concerns and aspirations of our district help guide my work, and I’m committed to championing policies that uplift our diverse community. Together, let’s strive for progress and positive change in 2024.
 

Earlier this month, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the state’s partnership with UCLA to acquire the 700,000-square-foot space of the former Westside Pavilion shopping mall to redevelop it as the new UCLA Research Park. A large audience of community leaders, UCLA officials and media outlets were present for the announcement, which was made at the under construction mall site based in our district.

The future UCLA Research Park will house the UCLA California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy as well as the UCLA Center for Quantum Science and Engineering. These state-of-the-art centers will serve as a global research leader and innovation hub in life sciences and technology. 
 

We hosted a full house of community residents and stakeholders at our first Coffee with the Senator gathering in Playa Vista last Saturday. Nearly 100 people turned out for the meet and greet event that was held at the Playa Vista Library.

The purpose of these local gatherings is to personally greet our constituents, inform them about our services, and share about my work in creating more equitable communities. 

Please stay posted for our next Coffee with the Senator event planned for another community in our district. And remember, the coffee is on us! 

Celebrating in this year’s Kingdom Day Parade was an incredible experience! I was grateful for the opportunity to join several other leaders on the L.A. County Federation of Labor’s float for this annual parade.

Our float was part of a long procession of other colorful floats, marching bands and drill teams that paraded along Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in the South Los Angeles community of our district. We also staffed a booth at the event’s festival in Leimert Park, just blocks from the parade site.

It was a joy greeting other elected officials at the Kingdom Day event, including Mayor Bass, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who served as the parade’s grand marshal.