February 23, 2007 - Meet Pleasanton's Newest Assemblywoman

Meet Pleasanton's Newest Assemblywoman

Castro Valley resident Mary Hayashi takes reigns of 18th District, introduces health care agenda

by Janet Pelletier

When you think of State Assembly districts in Pleasanton, think three. Since 1982, Pleasanton has been split into three Assembly districts, now represented by former Dublin mayor and Republican Guy Houston in the 15th, newly-elected Mary Hayashi in the 18th and Alberto Torrico in the 20th. Before 1982, the city was part of a single district that included Fremont, San Leandro and Hayward. When longtime Assemblyman Carlos Bee of Hayward died, Pleasanton City Councilman Floyd Mori was elected to fill his unexpired term.

Then, with the rapid growth of cities within the district, including Pleasanton, as shown in the 1980 Census, new districts were created and Pleasanton, with its largely Republican constituency, became part of others that had more Democrats in the mix. As a result, Mori was the first and last State Assemblyman from Pleasanton. Former Mayor Tom Pico ran three years ago for the Democratic nomination in the 20th, but was defeated by Torrico.

Many voters in Pleasanton are unaware that their Assembly district is only a part of the city, since they vote only in one. More they should know: each of the three Assembly districts is controlled by the larger voter bases outside of Pleasanton, which means significance isn't placed on how those here vote except in very close races, which are more likely in the 15th.

Still, all three come to Pleasanton for political, social and, in Houstonís case, family events. And plans for the coming year will have an effect on the community locally. A look at Pleasanton's newest Assembly member follows. This is the first in a three-part series.

On her first day as the new 18th District State Assemblywoman, Castro Valley resident Mary Hayashi was bombarded with 40 interview requests.

To summarize the past eight or so weeks, it's been a whirlwind for Hayashi, who embarked on her political career after winning the seat in November against Pleasanton Republican Jill Buck. Sitting in her predecessor and outgoing Assemblyman Johan Klehs' former office near Cal State East Bay in Hayward on a recent Friday (she's in Sacramento Mondays through Thursdays), Hayashi said that she is excited about prospects for the coming year.

"I can tell you this--this year we're going to have a health care plan signed," she said. "Some reform is going to be signed by the governor. This is going to be the year for health care. I'm just so excited because this is why I ran."

Before her foray into the political scene, Hayashi, the first Korean-American to be voted to the State Assembly, was involved in numerous health care endeavors. Most recently, she held an appointed seat on the Board of Registered Nursing. She also founded the Iris Alliance Fund which leverages resources for suicide prevention efforts, so it's only natural that one of her first pieces of legislation she has submitted to the Assembly is one that will establish a state Office of Suicide Prevention under the Department of Mental Health. Titled AB 509, the legislation was introduced to the Assembly last Tuesday.

"There are other states that have offices of suicide prevention but California does not," Hayashi said. "Suicide is the third leading cause death for teens and in California, we have 3,000 deaths caused by suicide. Just to put this into perspective, we have more people who die from suicide in California every year than the number of individuals who lost their lives in the 2001 terrorist attack."

A dedicated office that will coordinate mental health programs between agencies, school districts, parents, teachers, PTAs and link services to children as well as adults who are in need is the goal, she said.

Once enacted, the office would establish an advisory committee of mental health professionals to conduct an analysis of current resources, identify people at risk of suicide and develop prevention training standards.

"It's going to save money in the long run because if we can reduce suicide attempts, that's going to save us money in hospitalization, loss in school time, loss in employment time," Hayashi said. "We lose productivity when our mental health issues are not addressed."

On Feb. 13, Hayashi introduced AB 330, legislation that proposes to require the State Department of Health Care Services to qualify school health centers, which serve low-income, uninsured children, as primary health care providers. Under the plan, school-based health centers would be able to bill the state department for Medi-Cal services. The legislation may be heard as early as March 16. She's received praise from the Pleasanton PTA on that.

Next month, Pleasanton will be on Hayashi's agenda with two different events.

On March 1, Hayashi is co-sponsoring a health care town hall meeting in Pleasanton at ValleyCare Health System, 5555 W. Las Positas Blvd. The meeting, which begins at 7 p.m., will feature a presentation from ValleyCare President and CEO Marcy Feit. Hayashi will also explain the health care bills she plans to introduce in the Assembly as well as give overviews of Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez's-, State Sen. Don Perata's- and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's individual health care proposals.

Hayashi said the purpose of the town hall meeting is to engage the public in discussion about their health care needs and is an opportunity for participants to give feedback.

On March 5, Hayashi will name Pleasanton PTA President Jamie Hintzke as her "Woman of the Year." Hintzke will be honored in a special floor session in Sacramento.

Hayashi has also been given four committee assignments by Speaker Nunez: the Business and Professions, Budget, Health and Revenue and Taxation committees. Hayashi was also appointed to Budget Subcommittee 4 on State Administration. She will also retain her seat on the Proposition 63 board dealing with funding mental health services, which she held before being elected. In addition to also naming Hayashi assistant majority whip to the Democratic Caucus, Nunez also recently named her to the Mental Health Services Oversight Committee and Accountability Commission, where she will help advise the governor and legislature on mental health issues.

With all the craziness that comes with a high profile political career, Hayashi said her husband, who was a fellow running mate in the November elections, keeps her grounded.

Husband Dennis Hayashi, who practices law in Hayward, ran for a rare open seat in the Alameda County Superior Court, but lost to Pleasanton resident Sandra Bean. While Mary Hayashi said she wished Dennis would have won, it's actually a nice balance between the couple now.

"He understands what it's like to be a candidate, what it's like to be in public service," she said. "It worked out great because we're able to strategize together. We can share information."

Next in three-part series

Assemblyman Guy Houston, (R-San Ramon), doesn't have to look far to trace his roots in the Tri-Valley. The former Pleasanton resident, Dublin mayor and current Assembly member serving his third and final term, has a long history here. Houston reflects on his public service and his effort, along with Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez to call for changes in voter-mandated term limits.

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Meet Pleasanton's Newest Assemblywoman
Castro Valley resident Mary Hayashi takes reigns of 18th District, introduces health care agenda
by Janet Pelletier When you think of State Assembly districts in Pleasanton, think three. Since 1982, Pleasanton has been split into three Assembly districts, now represented by former Dublin mayor and Republican Guy Houston in the 15th, newly-elected Mary Hayashi in the 18th and Alberto Torrico in the 20th. Before 1982, the city was part of a single district that included Fremont, San Leandro and Hayward. When longtime Assemblyman Carlos Bee of Hayward died, Pleasanton City Councilman Floyd Mori was elected to fill his unexpired term. Then, with the rapid growth of cities within the district, including Pleasanton, as shown in the 1980 Census, new districts were created and Pleasanton, with its largely Republican constituency, became part of others that had more Democrats in the mix. As a result, Mori was the first and last State Assemblyman from Pleasanton. Former Mayor Tom Pico ran three years ago for the Democratic nomination in the 20th, but was defeated by Torrico. Many voters in Pleasanton are unaware that their Assembly district is only a part of the city, since they vote only in one. More they should know: each of the three Assembly districts is controlled by the larger voter bases outside of Pleasanton, which means significance isn't placed on how those here vote except in very close races, which are more likely in the 15th. Still, all three come to Pleasanton for political, social and, in Houstonís case, family events. And plans for the coming year will have an effect on the community locally. A look at Pleasanton's newest Assembly member follows. This is the first in a three-part series. On her first day as the new 18th District State Assemblywoman, Castro Valley resident Mary Hayashi was bombarded with 40 interview requests. To summarize the past eight or so weeks, it's been a whirlwind for Hayashi, who embarked on her political career after winning the seat in November against Pleasanton Republican Jill Buck. Sitting in her predecessor and outgoing Assemblyman Johan Klehs' former office near Cal State East Bay in Hayward on a recent Friday (she's in Sacramento Mondays through Thursdays), Hayashi said that she is excited about prospects for the coming year. "I can tell you this--this year we're going to have a health care plan signed," she said. "Some reform is going to be signed by the governor. This is going to be the year for health care. I'm just so excited because this is why I ran." Before her foray into the political scene, Hayashi, the first Korean-American to be voted to the State Assembly, was involved in numerous health care endeavors. Most recently, she held an appointed seat on the Board of Registered Nursing. She also founded the Iris Alliance Fund which leverages resources for suicide prevention efforts, so it's only natural that one of her first pieces of legislation she has submitted to the Assembly is one that will establish a state Office of Suicide Prevention under the Department of Mental Health. Titled AB 509, the legislation was introduced to the Assembly last Tuesday. "There are other states that have offices of suicide prevention but California does not," Hayashi said. "Suicide is the third leading cause death for teens and in California, we have 3,000 deaths caused by suicide. Just to put this into perspective, we have more people who die from suicide in California every year than the number of individuals who lost their lives in the 2001 terrorist attack." A dedicated office that will coordinate mental health programs between agencies, school districts, parents, teachers, PTAs and link services to children as well as adults who are in need is the goal, she said. Once enacted, the office would establish an advisory committee of mental health professionals to conduct an analysis of current resources, identify people at risk of suicide and develop prevention training standards. "It's going to save money in the long run because if we can reduce suicide attempts, that's going to save us money in hospitalization, loss in school time, loss in employment time," Hayashi said. "We lose productivity when our mental health issues are not addressed." On Feb. 13, Hayashi introduced AB 330, legislation that proposes to require the State Department of Health Care Services to qualify school health centers, which serve low-income, uninsured children, as primary health care providers. Under the plan, school-based health centers would be able to bill the state department for Medi-Cal services. The legislation may be heard as early as March 16. She's received praise from the Pleasanton PTA on that. Next month, Pleasanton will be on Hayashi's agenda with two different events. On March 1, Hayashi is co-sponsoring a health care town hall meeting in Pleasanton at ValleyCare Health System, 5555 W. Las Positas Blvd. The meeting, which begins at 7 p.m., will feature a presentation from ValleyCare President and CEO Marcy Feit. Hayashi will also explain the health care bills she plans to introduce in the Assembly as well as give overviews of Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez's-, State Sen. Don Perata's- and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's individual health care proposals. Hayashi said the purpose of the town hall meeting is to engage the public in discussion about their health care needs and is an opportunity for participants to give feedback. On March 5, Hayashi will name Pleasanton PTA President Jamie Hintzke as her "Woman of the Year." Hintzke will be honored in a special floor session in Sacramento. Hayashi has also been given four committee assignments by Speaker Nunez: the Business and Professions, Budget, Health and Revenue and Taxation committees. Hayashi was also appointed to Budget Subcommittee 4 on State Administration. She will also retain her seat on the Proposition 63 board dealing with funding mental health services, which she held before being elected. In addition to also naming Hayashi assistant majority whip to the Democratic Caucus, Nunez also recently named her to the Mental Health Services Oversight Committee and Accountability Commission, where she will help advise the governor and legislature on mental health issues. With all the craziness that comes with a high profile political career, Hayashi said her husband, who was a fellow running mate in the November elections, keeps her grounded. Husband Dennis Hayashi, who practices law in Hayward, ran for a rare open seat in the Alameda County Superior Court, but lost to Pleasanton resident Sandra Bean. While Mary Hayashi said she wished Dennis would have won, it's actually a nice balance between the couple now. "He understands what it's like to be a candidate, what it's like to be in public service," she said. "It worked out great because we're able to strategize together. We can share information." Next in three-part series Assemblyman Guy Houston, (R-San Ramon), doesn't have to look far to trace his roots in the Tri-Valley. The former Pleasanton resident, Dublin mayor and current Assembly member serving his third and final term, has a long history here. Houston reflects on his public service and his effort, along with Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez to call for changes in voter-mandated term limits.
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Copyright 2007 - Capitol Progress Report