Great news from the State Capital and I’m not talking about Esteban Nunez. Senator Mark DeSaulnier is a prior Mayor of Concord and was a City Councilmember from 1991 to 1993. Here is the press release and a link to his website.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SACRAMENTO—Senator Mark DeSaulnier has been named chair of the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee. December 1, 2008 marked DeSaulnier’s first day as a California State Senator.

“With the sharp economic downturn in California and throughout our nation, many are realizing that the social safety net has been yanked out from under the middle and working classes. We need to focus our attention to reenergizing local economies and creating jobs that support workers and their families. I’m proud to be given the duty of chairing this committee so early in my time in the Senate,” said DeSaulnier.

Prior to his election to the Senate, DeSaulnier served in the Assembly. There he chaired the Assembly Committee on Transportation and served as a member of the Appropriations, Human Services, Rules and Labor and Employment committees. DeSaulnier spent nearly thirty years in local government prior to joining the Legislature and concurrently ran a successful restaurant in Concord, CA.

“I am honored that President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg has asked me to use my respect for organized labor and my knowledge of business operations to create better economic opportunity and worker protections in our state.”

“I understand that living wages and adequate benefits create employee loyalty and business stability–benefits for the employee, the business and the economy as a whole,” added DeSaulnier.

DeSaulnier has a history of protecting worker rights:

· In 2007, DeSaulnier fought to protect workers from harmful second-hand smoke (AB 1467).

· DeSaulnier has fought to raise awareness about the symptoms of, and ways of preventing and treating mesothelioma which has high rates among workers in the building and construction trades, shipping industry workers, firefighters, and military personnel (ACR 56).

· DeSaulnier has championed the Justice for Janitors movement, helping low-wage workers achieve social and economic justice.

· In 1998, DeSaulnier authored the historic Contra Costa County Industrial Safety Ordinance for local refineries and chemical facilities. The ordinance stands as landmark collaborative legislation that protects workers and surrounding Bay Area communities.

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