Assemblyman Jim Frazier to retire

Assemblyman Jim Frazier, D-Solano, is set to retire at year’s end.

He has served in the California State Assembly since 2012.

“I turned in my resignation to the Speaker today,”

WednesdayFrazier he said morning. “I had a Zoom call with my staff. I told my staff I loved them.”

It was a tough decision, the Assemblyman affirmed, one he didn’t take lightly. But very simply, it’s just time.

“I love the job, I love helping people. … I’ll still help people,” he shared. “It’s sad, but I’m excited about reinvigorating another part of my life.”

The small business owner and advocate for people with disabilities became involved in public service following the death of one of his children. In December 2000, both daughters were involved in a head-on traffic collision caused by roads slick with black ice. The older daughter died, the younger daughter was seriously injured.

Armed with purpose, he was able to get Caltrans to widen the median near the crash and install pavement that would prevent the formation of black ice.

Frazier later entered local politics and became well-versed in transportation and other issues. In 2011, he served as mayor of Oakley. In 2012, he was elected to the state Legislature.

His constituents are in the 11th District, which includes parts of Solano, Contra Costa and Sacramento counties and includes Antioch, Bethel Island, Birds Landing, Brentwood, Byron, Collinsville, Discovery Bay, Fairfield, Isleton, Knightsen, Locke, Oakley, Pittsburg (partial), Rio Vista, Suisun City, Travis Air Force Base, Vacaville and Walnut Grove.

In 2014, he was appointed chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee. He chairs the Assembly Governmental

Organization Committee, is a member on the Assembly’s Veterans Affairs Committee, the Accountability and Administration Review Committee and the Insurance Committee, and serves as an advisory member of the State Public Works Board.

In 2017, he was appointed chair of the Select Committee on Improving Bay Area Transportation Systems. He serves on the Select Committee on Regional Transportation Solutions; the Select Committee on Ports and Goods Movement; and the Joint Committee on Climate Change Policies. He represents California on the Council of State Government (CSG)-WEST’s Transportation and Infrastructure

Committee.

Frazier serves as cochair of the Delta Caucus and Legislative Outdoor Sporting Caucus and is a member of the Bay Area Caucus and Mental Health Caucus.

He is a board member of the Delta Conservancy and has been an advocate for enhanced unemployment and disability policy as chairman of Select Committee on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

During his tenure, he:

• Delivered numerous improvements to transportation infrastructure across high-speed rail, highways, and public transportation, securing $30 billion in total transportation funding and $5.2 billion for Senate Bill 1 infrastructure projects.

• Fostered legislation to obtain $1.2 billion in funding for special needs population, supporting and

overseeing series of hearings throughout the State of California, evaluating the mission and effectiveness of relevant state agencies.

• Established reputation as champion for California Delta, serving as key member of Delta Protection Commission focused on protecting fish and wildlife, safeguarding farmers, and ensuring continuous environmental and economic viability of delta by promoting water conservation, improved water quality, and improved management of land use and development.

• Secured $12 million to remove abandoned and derelict commercial marine vessels throughout the Delta region through the 2021 state budget,

• Secured funding for Special Olympics for 6 years, including $2 million through the 2021 state budget.

• Secured funding for Solano First 5 in the amount of $2 million to create a Fairfield First 5 Center through the 2021 state budget.

• Authored legislation for a Veteran Designation of CA Drivers License to recognize military service, resulting in hundreds of thousands of additional dollars for veterans.

Among his recognitions are 2018 Legislator of the Year from the California State Commanders Veterans Council, 2017 California Transportation Foundation Elected Official of

the Year, Director’s Special Recognition for Infrastructure Advocacy by American Society of Civil Engineers, 2016 Special Olympics Volunteer of the Year, 2016 AMVETS Legislator of the Year, 2015 Decoding Dyslexia: Assemblymember of the Year, 2015 California Transportation Foundation: Elected Official of the Year, 2015 Small Business Legislator of the year by California Small Business Association (CSBA) and California Small Business Roundtable (CSBR), 2015 CA Waterfowl Association, Grant Kenyon Award, Legislator of the Year, Appreciation Award: Sikh Communities of Napa and Solano Counties and Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District.

“This is the best job that I have ever had. I have enjoyed serving the State of California and the 11th Assembly District and greatly appreciate the confidence that my constituents have shown in me over the last nine years,” he said. “I am proud of the many successes that we achieved together.

“My future plans are to put to use my passion and experience in the transportation sector, explore new career opportunities and spend additional time with family and friends.”

Meanwhile, Frazier pledged to continue to help others any way he can.

“It’s in my blood,” he said.