Lawmaker Profile

Wolk This Way

Thousands of pounds of rotting fish floated belly up around Prospect Island after a simple levee repair went terribly wrong in December 2007. As government policy failed to solve the stinky issue, Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, D-Davis, demanded answers and worked quickly to put an assembly bill in place. The immediate action from the assemblywoman is just one example of the enthusiasm from her career.

AB 1806 will require agencies to plan better for environmental emergencies.

“The agencies who manage public land have a fish rescue plan in place before beginning a project that will significantly and adversely affect fish and wildlife resources,” Wolk said.

Wolk has had tremendous success in improving and managing California’s environmental concerns.

“AB 1806 is one of three bills I plan to introduce this year to respond specifically to the lessons we learned from that disaster,” Wolk stated.

Other bills she has chaptered can be found here:


Current Issues.

Among the various legislation issues involving the environment Wolk feels the most important issue in the Sacramento region is long-term stability of the Delta.

“The Delta is the heart and soul California’s water and agricultural system. It is a unique and important ecosystem and also plays a critical role in this state’s flood protection infrastructure and fisheries. And it is failing under the tremendous and competing demands on its resources,” Wolk Said.

There is an ongoing debate on what issues the Delta will be up against in the future especially concerning flood protection.

Wolk mentioned how people don’t necessarily think about flood risk when it is not raining.

“Even when people do think about flooding, they don’t think it will happen to them,” Wolk said.

“I am planning to introduce a bill to appropriate bond funds for ‘No Regrets’ projects identified by the Governor’s Delta Task Force to begin to address the immediate crisis in the Delta,” Wolk said.



Chaptered Legislation

You may not know Lois Wolk but she has likely affected your life with one of the assembly bills she has passed in the last six years.

She has covered issues ranging from solar power to charter schools to recycling to elder abuse.

As a resident of Davis for more than 30 years she has recognized the trends of the community. Wolk has implemented various issues in bike legislation in the last two years that has increased safety for cyclists.

According to a press release in April of 2005, “At one intersection bordering UC Davis, there were sixteen collisions in the three years prior to the signals’ installation. At least half of these accidents involved bicycles or pedestrians. In the sixteen months following this alteration, there were only two accidents, neither of which involved bicycles or pedestrians. In addition, a survey completed by the city showed that bicyclists tended to feel much safer after the installation of the signals.”

Janelle Christiansen, a sophomore at UC Davis who is an animal science major, says that she does notice the bicycles safety measures that are in place around Davis.

“It is much easier and convenient to get around.” She said.



Challenges on the Job

Currently women serving in the California Assembly hold fewer than 30 percent of the seats.

When asked about the challenges of women in a field that is dominated by men Wolk responded: “We are losing a number of women representatives at every level of government and that is a concern.”

Wolk also emphasized the importance of women in government positions.

“Women bring a different perspective to public service and sometimes focus on different issues than their male counterparts,” Wolk said.


A Closer Look At Lois Wolk

If you were to meet her she might remind you of your seventh grade teacher, actually… she might have been your seventh grade teacher. She has taught French, Soical Studies and History.

Wolk’s short curly hair and thick glasses give her a seemingly casual look, but don’t let that deceive you, Wolk has passed 40 bills since 2002; it seems improving the lives of other people just comes naturally to her.

“I like to be involved, to solve problems, and one thing just lead to another,” Wolk said.

Apparently Wolk is extremely dedicated to her work.

“ I work all day during the week, and often work weekends. Sometimes I get to go home and eat dinner with my husband. Then more often than not I work at home,” Wolk said. “And I find that the skill set required to solve problems at the local and state level is the same needed to solve problems in the classroom or on the soccer field.”

Chair of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, Helen Thomson who represented the Eighth District before Wolk said, “Wolk has been a capable successor in the Assembly Eighth District seat. She is a hard worker, intelligent and is balanced in her approach to the many issues the state and district faces.”

Outside of work Wolk enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and with her two sons Adam and Dan. She loves walking her dog, reading, and watching movies.

Qusetions that were sent to, Mellissa Jones, Wolk’s secratery were declined.



What is next for Lois Wolk?

The defeat of Proposition 93 has limited the time that assembly members can serve. This defeat has directly affected Wolk, by terming her out of the State Assembly. Wolk has announced her plans to run for State Senate in 2008.