Transit California interviewed Assemblymember Mark González, who represents Assembly District 54 in Los Angeles County and serves in Assembly leadership as Majority Whip.
Transit California: You’re currently serving the second year of your first term in the California State Assembly. What are your broad goals for the future of public transit during your tenure in the Assembly?
As I move into my 2nd year of being in the Assembly, I look forward to ensuring that public transit is robust, affordable, and safe. Californians want to see a transit system that works for them, and that is accessible for all.
Transit California: In 2025, you championed a budget request for additional SB 125 funding; the effort ultimately resulted in Governor Newsom approving a short-term financial loan with oversight requirements to struggling Bay Area transit systems. Why did you fight for this, and how did you help secure this critical loan?
In partnership with Senator Wiener, we pushed to ensure that no transit system in our state would fail – because if we see one system go, all others will not be far behind. It is critical to fight for a system that allows our working-class Californians to get to and from work with ease, all while lowering their carbon footprint and traffic density.
Transit California: SB 125, passed in 2023 and reaffirmed in the Budget Acts of 2024 and 2025, commits $690 million over the next two years to transit agencies for zero-emission activities through the Zero-Emission Transit Capital Program. The Governor’s January 2026 budget proposal was silent on the remaining SB 125 funds. What will you be monitoring during the upcoming discussion on these funds?
This upcoming budget cycle is one of the most unpredictable yet. In saying that, I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue our work and prioritize public transit funding. We need to make sure our advocates are standing strong, because our win last year was only because advocates kept pushing.
Transit California: You represent a dense, diverse district in Los Angeles. What are some of the major transit concerns of your district?
Public safety for our transit riders and transit operators is top of mind for most of my constituents! It is so important to make sure our riders and operators feel safe so our transit system can get to where it needs to go on time!
Transit California: What are your transit goals for your district?
We want to see faster, streamlined transit that connects to every neighborhood inside AD 54 and the surrounding communities. Many of our residents rely on public transit to get to work in neighborhoods. Public transit is critical; it acts as the bridge between the communities.
Transit California: You are a member of the Assembly Select Committee on Downtown Recovery. Where does transit fit into uplifting downtown economies and city life?
Keeping Transit Moving! Public transit in my district is critical to the movement of workers, families, and students. It is essential that riders can get to their destination as quickly as possible. This happens by increasing routes in commuter-heavy regions, decreasing delays such as illegally parked vehicles, and improving the on-board safety for riders.
Transit California: You introduced a variety of bills related to housing access, homelessness, and urban infill, and you serve as a member of the Assembly Select Committee on Housing Construction Innovation. What do you see as transit’s role in California’s housing issues?
Housing and transit go hand-in-hand. If we are able to build a transit-friendly housing environment, then we are able to ensure Californians are able to get to work on time. No one likes sitting in hours of traffic, and people would prefer to live in the places where they work.
Transit California: Although your district wasn’t in the direct path of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, the whole region has been affected by the exacerbation of the housing shortage, employment opportunity losses, and transit interruptions. Now that a year has passed, what transit-related changes do you want to see to address these ongoing issues?
You are correct – while my district was not directly impacted as a result of the 2025 LA wildfires, many AD 54 constituents relied on the jobs in these areas and the public transit routes that commute them up there. As we rebuild, we need to ensure affordable, transit-oriented housing is top of mind.
Transit California: How can transit agencies most effectively work with members of the Legislature?
Educate, educate, educate! The operators and administrators are the folks on the ground, doing this work. We need to listen to their asks and ensure we really consider what they are saying as we write policy.
Transit California: How can transit agencies best get in touch with your office?
Our office is an open door! Feel free to call 916-314-2054 to get in touch with our staff!