Andrew Lachman on Jobs, the Arts, Creative Economy, Clean Tech and the Environment

By Andrew B. Lachman

As the former Consultant to the Joint Committee on the Arts for the state legislature and executive for Paramount Pictures, Andrew Lachman not only understands the importance of the Creative Sector to California's economy and education system, he's been a part of it. Clean Technology and conserving our resources are also key to growing jobs in California.

As the former Consultant to the Joint Committee on the Arts for the state legislature and executive for Paramount Pictures, Andrew Lachman not only understands the importance of the Creative Sector to California's economy and education system, he's been a part of it.

As Consultant to the Joint Committee on the Arts, Andrew worked to bring Republicans and Democrats together to find new funding sources for the arts and arts education through Senator Price's SB1076, and organized hearings on the power of the Creative Economy in California, reviving a committee that had not met since 2003.

He also serves on State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson's Arts Education Advisory Committee. As chair of MidCity West Neighborhood Council, he worked with the arts community to support the Miracle Mile Art Gallery Walk. He also was on the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Board and worked with Technet.

Making Arts Education a Priority

Despite the fact that the federal government has made arts education part of the core curriculum, California has not. Less than 11% of California schools meet national standards and goals for arts education. Studies have shown that arts education improves critical thinking skills, math and science test scores and creates more enthusiastic, well-rounded and tolerant students with lower dropout rates.

As Assemblyman, Andrew Lachman will work to:

• Ensure arts education is both part of the curriculum and the arts are integrated throughout at every grade level.
• Work with state and local education officials to ensure we capitalize on every education dollar available for the arts, such as the Title I funding that many school boards are leaving on the table.
• Encourage and reward innovation in arts education to bring more arts and cultural education programs to "arts deserts" in underserved areas.
• Improve collaboration with post-secondary education institutions and the private sector to train students with skills to meet the demand for a 21st Century workforce.
• Identify new funding sources for arts and arts education.

One in six jobs in Los Angeles County comes from the Creative Sector, such as entertainment, video game production, advertising, fashion, design (industrial and interior), digital media, toys and art galleries. However, California has no strategic plan to keep and grow these sectors, allowing other states to take jobs to Texas, Florida and New Mexico. We can not continue to lose these opportunities.

As Assemblyman, Andrew Lachman work to:

• Establish a Creative Sector Strategic Plan to integrate the arts into every level of government and identify education, economic development and planning policies to build creative communities and grow our treasure trove of Creative Sector riches into more high-paying, low-polluting jobs such as: o Expanding film production tax incentives to include more resources and more kinds of film and television production such as sit-coms, mega-budget films and animation. o Identifying other incentives and strategies to make California an attractive place to grow Creative Sector jobs such as identifying and expanding tax incentives for the technology, toy and fashion industries that actually create jobs and expand California's revenue base in manufacturing, production and design. o Integrate cooperation amongst Creative Sector agencies such as the California Arts Council, Film Commission and Workforce Development boards. o Encourage Incubators and social innovation through recognition of B Corporations.

Once the leader in environmental protection and investment in alternative energy, California runs the risk of falling behind due to budget cuts and lack of accountability. Instead of closing state parks and driving green-friendly businesses out of state, California should be at the forefront of creating opportunity for green-friendly businesses and protecting our natural resources for future generations. Facing the rising global cost of gasoline and making our community safer and healthier means we need proactive programs to bring about change. This means making it easier, cheaper, and safer to get out of our gas cars and into electrics, safe bike lanes, and mass transit each linked to other in a comprehensive transportation policy.

As a member of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter, college educator teaching corporate social responsibility and business law and transactional attorney in the private sector, Andrew Lachman wants to see California continue to capitalize on the opportunities created by AB32 and develop greater accountability to ensure that our children grow up healthy with clean air and water and plenty of open space.

Make Clean Tech and Green Jobs Part of the California Dream

Focus on Green Jobs and Clean Tech. Green jobs have grown 57% in the last ten years, making .9% of the jobs in the state, with most of the growth in energy conservation and alternative energy. AB 32's focus in limiting greenhouse gases creates an opportunity for California to lead the way.

Better Coordination between Higher Education and Clean Tech. California's colleges and universities are both a research and jobs resource engine for our state. We need to stop balancing our budgets on the backs of our most important resource; our people, and improve our investment in our Clean Tech and green energy training programs to better meet employment needs.

Make Green Jobs and Clean Teach an Economic Development Priority. Job growth requires prioritizing fast-growing sectors such as Clean Tech and Green Jobs, including projects like solar, waste to energy projects and electric vehicle charging stations. These should be included in existing renewable energy financing and incentives. California also needs to encourage more pilot projects to adapt and incentivize low-polluting alternatives for industrial practices that create high pollution risks in our ports and businesses.

Protect Resources for Future Generations.

More Mass Transit for the Valley. The Sepulveda Pass, the 101 and the Canyon roads are some of the greatest traffic problems facing Los Angeles. Andrew Lachman will prioritize investment in the Mid-Valley Rapidway and Sepulveda Pass transit lines to provide real mass transit alternatives to the West Side for Valley residents, reduce traffic and spur economic revitalization along the Van Nuys corridor.

Increase Legislative Oversight to Improve Accountability. Creating regulations don't help if we don't follow up and make sure what we have is working. Sometimes oversight and accountability is as important as legislating. The legislature needs to have the ability to review regulations and ensure that they are the best and most cost-effective means to reach policy goals.

Protecting our Open Spaces. Our state parks are our best means of protecting our natural resources for future generations. We need to find ways to keep our public parks open through separate funding authorities and funding sources.

Clean Air and Water for All. California's clean air and water laws have improved the quality of life for San Fernando Valley residents and reduced societal and medical costs that were caused by pollution. We need more common sense approaches to protect clean water and air for everyone and investment in enforcing the laws we have on the books right now.