How to Organize Locally to Make Change in Sacramento with Assemblymember Ash Kalra

<p>How do communities compel their representatives to take courageous votes to pass worker and climate friendly policies - even when they have corporate interests in their ear?</p> <p><br></p> <p>Last fall I had the honor to interview <a href="https://a27.asmdc.org/" target="_blank">Assemblymember Ash Kalra </a>(D-27 - San Jose) during my advocacy webinar “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YAmWYYVSeg&amp;t=1s" target="_blank">All Politics is Local”: How Communities can Build Political Power</a>. Mr. Kalra represents the city of San Jose and made history in 2016 as the first Indian-American elected to the California Legislature. An unapologetic champion for workers and their communities, he is Chair of the California Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment and was elected last year Chair of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.</p> <p><br></p> <p>From the perspective of an elected official, Assemblymember Kalra offers actionable advice for grassroots activists, from how to engage with their legislators in the districts to creating networks around the state for a stronger voice in what happens in the California Legislature.</p> <p><br></p> <p>We discuss:</p> <ul> <li>Building real relationships means you don’t just show up when you want something (2:33)</li> <li>Local government is where the real power lies (7:38)</li> <li>Groups without PACs still hold a lot of influence (10:03)</li> <li>Creating the space for lawmakers to take courageous votes (13:07)</li> <li>How to make your lobby visits more effective (13:49)</li> <li>How to hold lawmakers accountable (16:19)</li> </ul> <p><br></p> <p><strong>Read the full transcript </strong><a href="https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/podcast/lobbyingtomakechange/#transcripttranscript" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>Hosted by Kristina Bas Hamilton, founder of </strong><a href="https://www.kbhadvocacy.com/" target="_blank"><strong>KBH Advocacy</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> <p><strong>Say hi on </stro