Steve Glazer
Steven Mitchell Glazer (born August 10, 1957) is an American politician currently serving in the California State Senate. He is a Democrat representing the 7th Senate District, which encompasses most of Contra Costa County and eastern portions of Alameda County in the East Bay.
Steve Glazer | |
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Member of the California State Senate from the 7th district | |
Assumed office May 28, 2015 | |
Preceded by | Mark DeSaulnier |
Personal details | |
Born | Steven Mitchell Glazer August 10, 1957 Sacramento, California, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Melba Muscarolas |
Children | 2 |
Residence | Orinda, California |
Alma mater | San Diego State University |
Glazer won a May 2015 special election to succeed Mark DeSaulnier, who was elected to Congress in 2014. Glazer defeated fellow Democrat, Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla.[1] He won his re-election campaign in November, 2016, and began a new four-year term.[2] He was re-elected in November, 2020 to begin a new four-year term. His current term ends on December 1, 2024. Prior to being elected to the State Senate, Glazer served on the Orinda Park and Recreation Commission from 1997 to 1999; and then served on the Orinda City Council from 2004 to 2015. During that time, he served as mayor of Orinda in 2007, 2012 and 2015. Glazer was a 2014 Democratic candidate for District 16 of the California State Assembly.[3][4][5] Prior to holding elective office, he was an advisor to Governor Jerry Brown.[1][6] Glazer is a member of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus.[7]
Glazer earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University. While attending SDSU, he served as president of Associated Students, the university's student governing group and Chair of the California State Student Association.[8][9]
Glazer was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown (D) in 2011 to serve as a member of the California State University Board of Trustees until 2015, when he was elected to the State Senate.[10] Glazer was known as Gov. Brown's leading political strategist.[11] Glazer first worked for Jerry Brown in 1978 when he was in charge of the campaign activities at 20 colleges for Brown's re-election as Governor. Glazer served as deputy campaign manager for Brown's unsuccessful bid for the United States Senate in 1982.[12]
Consulting
In 1989, Glazer formed his own public relations, media and political consulting firm, Glazer & Associates.[4] Glazer was senior advisor to Kathleen Brown in her 1990 campaign for State Treasurer.[13][14] Glazer was an advisor to the 1994 campaign of Democratic former Los Angeles City Councilman Michael Woo in his primary race for Secretary of State.[15]
In October 2003, Glazer was shot in the neck by a high-powered pellet rifle while driving with his family. The .17-caliber projectile just missed his carotid artery and lodged next to his spine. The perpetrator was caught but never charged with a crime because pellet guns were classified as toys in the criminal code. After recovering from this injury, Glazer worked with then-Senator Tom Torlakson to author legislation establishing penalties for pellet-gun attacks (SB 532, Chapter 180, Statutes of 2006).
Glazer ran Jerry Brown's campaign for Governor in 2010. Glazer said it was his job to manage the campaign, not the candidate. “He is comfortable in his own skin,” Mr. Glazer said of his boss. “He has a vast knowledge base and experience. He doesn’t need the hand-holding that other candidates may need.”[11] Glazer aided Governor Brown's campaign to gain voter approval of Proposition 30 in 2012, which prevented billions of dollars in additional cuts to our public schools and universities.
Glazer was spokesperson for the first female Chief Justice of California, Rose Bird, during her retention campaign from 1985 to 1986.[16]
Glazer was the press secretary for Assemblyman Gray Davis in 1983 and ran his re-election campaign in 1984. Mr. Glazer persuaded Davis to promote the idea of placing the pictures of missing children on milk cartons, grocery bags, bus stops and billboards. That campaign was credited with finding more than one dozen children and won Mr. Davis widespread publicity and eventually helped him win his first statewide office on his way to becoming governor.[11][17][18]
Glazer served as press secretary for State Senate Pro Tem David Roberti from 1987 to 1993.[19] As press secretary for Roberti, Glazer ran a media campaign to boost legislation that became the Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989, a California law that bans the ownership and transfer of over 50 specific brands and models of semi-automatic firearms, which were classified as assault weapons.[20][21]
Legislative
Local
On the Board of Contra Costa County Solid Waste Authority for nearly five years, Glazer voted to substantially increase recycling and reuse practices.[22][23]
State Senate
Glazer authored a bill in 2015 to ban the use of Confederate leaders in state parks, buildings, schools and other public places.[24]
Glazer authored a bill in 2016, the California Promise, to help increase the 4-year graduation rate by requiring the California State University (CSU) system to provide priority enrollment, enhanced academic advising and other support for students who carry at least 30 units per year.[25]
Glazer co-authored (with Sen. Isadore Hall) SB 880, in 2016, to close a loophole in the assault weapons ban.[26][27]
Glazer authored a ballot measure, Proposition 72 in 2018, to improve residents’ ability to capture rainwater that passed both houses of the Legislature and made it onto the June, 2018 primary ballot. Voters approved the measure in June 2018.[28]
Glazer authored the first-in-the-nation truth-in-lending bill for small businesses in 2018, making lending to small businesses more transparent.[29]
Glazer authored legislation in 2019 to create the office of Inspector General for the Bay Area Rapid Transit Authority to look for waste, fraud and abuse in the sprawling agency.[30][31]
Glazer jointly authored a bill in 2020 to ban the sale of flavored tobacco. “These flavored vaping products are addicting our children to nicotine and endangering their lives,” said Joint Author Senator Steve Glazer, D-Orinda. “The explosive use has become an epidemic that requires urgent action. Thank you Senator Hill for your leadership in protecting our children.”[32]
Ballot Measures
Glazer ran the campaign for the 1990 Los Angeles ballot measure, Measure H, which instituted ethics reform of Los Angeles city election campaigns.[33]
Glazer was political strategist for the historic 1992 Los Angeles City Charter Amendment F to dramatically change the Los Angeles Police Department's power structure and make it more accountable to the community. Charter Amendment F, headed up by former United States Secretary of State Warren Cristopher, limited a police chief to two five-year terms, allowed the mayor to select a chief with the approval of the City Council and provided civilian review of officer misconduct by adding a civilian to disciplinary panels.[34]
Glazer led campaigns in the 1990s to protect old growth redwood forests, San Francisco Bay, parks and open spaces. And, working with the Trust for Public Land, Glazer helped pass measures in more than 25 states that protect clean water and thousands of acres of open space.[22]
Glazer helped pass local ballot measures in the 1990s, working directly to enhance education at the local level, helping to pass funding measures aimed at improving the quality of libraries and public schools.
Glazer organized campaigns that provided billions of dollars for homeless shelters and affordable housing, as well as residences for abused women and foster children.[18]
Glazer ran the campaign for the March 7, 2000 bond measures, Proposition 12 & 13, which California voters approved. They provided a total of $4.1 billion to go to a variety of state, local, and nonprofit agencies to implement a broad range of activities to protect and enhance resources.[35][36][37]
In 2002, Glazer managed the successful statewide campaign for Proposition 46, created a trust fund to: provide shelters for battered women; clean and safe housing for low-income senior citizens; emergency shelters for homeless families with children; housing with social services for homeless and mentally ill; repairs/accessibility improvements to apartments for families and handicapped citizens; military veteran homeownership assistance; and security improvements/repairs to existing emergency shelters.
In 2006, Glazer served as campaign manager for Proposition 1C, which funded new and existing housing and development programs. The programs would be aimed at increasing development in urban areas, transportation, homeless shelters, and construction and renovation of rental housing projects. The measure would also provide funds to low income home buyers.
Glazer ran Governor Jerry Brown's tax measure campaign in 2012.[38]
Authored the $15 billion 2020 Preschool, K-12 and College Bond (the largest in California history) to repair aging schools, remove lead from school drinking water, build new classrooms, expand classroom technology, and build affordable student housing at California's colleges and universities.[18]
Committees
2015-16
Glazer served as Chairman of the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee; and as a member of the Insurance and Public Safety committees.
2017-18
Glazer served as Chairman of the Governmental Organization and Insurance committees; and as Chairman of Senate Select Committee on Student Success; and as a member of the Budget & Fiscal Review, and Human Services committees.
2019-20
Glazer served as Chairman of the Business, Professions & Economic Development; Chairman of Senate Select Committee on Student Success; and as a member of the Agriculture; Education; Governmental Organization; and Insurance committees.
2021-22
Glazer is Chairman of the Elections and Constitutional Amendment Committee; and serves on the Agriculture; Education; Governmental Organization; and Insurance committees.
Governing Principles
1. Represent the people of our Senate district, not political parties or special interests.
2. Maintain a balanced budget to allow government to help people and people to have confidence in government.
3. Pursue bipartisan decisions. They are always better and long lasting.
4. Emphasize education as the gateway to opportunity and prosperity.
5. Work hard to set priorities and hold the line on taxes.
6. Incorporate environmental protection as a part of every decision.
7. Empower local decision-making rather than state mandates. It is more responsive and trustworthy.
8. Advance accountability and efficiency with every government program.
9. Promote civility and respect for all people and perspectives.
10. Conduct myself always with honesty and integrity.
Family
Glazer is married to Melba Muscarolas, a retired executive with AT&T, with whom he has two daughters.[39]
References
- McGreevy, Patrick (May 19, 2015). "Steve Glazer wins East Bay Senate seat over Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- "California 7th District State Senate Results: Steve Glazer Wins". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
- JoinCalifornia - Steve Glazer
- "Steve Glazer". Institute of Governmental Studies - UC Berkeley. 2012-08-08. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Steve Glazer - Ballotpedia". Retrieved 2017-11-21.
- "Former Orinda Mayor Steve Glazer Sworn in as California Senator | Orinda". lamorindaweekly.com. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
- "Members | California Legislative Jewish Caucus". jewishcaucus.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
- "Steven M. Glazer | Board of Trustees | CSU". www.calstate.edu. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
- "Meet the Bay Area Democrat who could kill Gov. Jerry Brown's road plan today". The Mercury News. 2017-04-06. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
- "Brown Appoints Political Adviser As CSU Trustee". 2011-04-30. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- Weintraub, Daniel (2010-05-02). "An Old Hand Returns to Guide Brown's Bid (Published 2010)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Glazer Manages Brown's Gubernatorial Campaign | Orinda | Jerry Brown". www.lamorindaweekly.com. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Kathleen Brown Quits for Full-Time Treasurer Race". Los Angeles Times. 1989-06-17. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Kathleen Brown: She Too Wants a Chance to Lead". Los Angeles Times. 1989-03-13. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- Marinucci, Carla (2010-01-25). "State AG Jerry Brown expected to name Glazer as 2010 gov campaign manager". Politics Blog. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Assertions of Killers Going Free Disputed by Bird Aide". Los Angeles Times. 1986-09-06. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Missing Children Issue Gives Him a Cause Nobody Can Knock : Gray Davis Works on an Image--His Own". Los Angeles Times. 1985-06-02. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- https://cavotes.org, Maplight & LWVCEF, http://maplight org &. "Steve Glazer". Voter's Edge California Voter Guide. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Roberti Plans to Revise Bill to Break Up School District". Los Angeles Times. 1993-03-30. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Gun Owners Push Roberti Recall Drive : Politics: A spokesman says more than 45,000 voter signatures have been collected to put the matter on a March or April ballot. The senator's bid to seek state treasurer's post may be affected". Los Angeles Times. 1994-01-06. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- Buffy Tarbox (February 20, 2015). "Former State Senate President Pro Tem David Roberti". Steve Glazer for Senate. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Steve Glazer Answers Questions". www.smartvoter.org. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- Walsh, Jeremy. "Solid waste collection changes arrive in San Ramon Valley". www.danvillesanramon.com. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "California bill would ban naming state, local sites for Confederate leaders". Los Angeles Times. 2015-07-08. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Governor Signs California Promise Bill". Senator Steve Glazer. 2016-09-22. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "California Senate Passes Comprehensive New Gun Control Legislation". ABC News. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Legislation aims to close firearm ban loophole". Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press. 2016-05-26. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- Luery, Mike (2018-05-25). "Prop. 72 promises tax relief for water conservation". KCRA. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Governor signs nation's first truth-in-lending bill for small business owners". Senator Steve Glazer. 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Newly appointed BART inspector general will have eyes on agency finances". The Mercury News. 2019-06-21. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Newsom appoints inspector general to oversee BART's finances, safety efforts". SFChronicle.com. 2019-06-22. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Landmark Legislation Restricting Store Sales of Flavored Tobacco - Lawmakers Hail Governor's Swift Action on SB 793, State Senator Jerry Hill Reports". Sierra Sun Times. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Measure H, Up Close and Personal". Los Angeles Times. 1990-06-15. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Measure to Reform LAPD Wins Decisively". Los Angeles Times. 1992-06-03. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Proposition 12 and 13--Parks and Water Bonds: Implementation Issues". lao.ca.gov. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Protecting the Environment". Steve Glazer for Senate. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Proposition 12 State Park System Allocations". CA State Parks. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Steve Glazer advises Jerry Brown as tax measure heads for November ballot - Gov. Jerry Brown - The Sacramento Bee". web.archive.org. 2012-06-24. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
- "Biography". Senator Steve Glazer. 2015-05-20. Retrieved 2017-11-21.