On Board With… Alchemy Graham
Alchemy Graham joined the California Transit Association team in 2021 as Legislative and Regulatory Advocate after serving as an Assembly Fellow in Assemblymember Bennett’s office, where she staffed the Member on Budget Subcommittee 3 and Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee.
Concurrently, Alchemy advised on natural resources, environmental safety, energy, housing, utilities, and public safety issues. Among other responsibilities, Alchemy took the lead on staffing five of the Member’s bills, each covering a different issue area, and successfully drafted and negotiated amendments with stakeholders and committee staff to further secure bipartisan votes. During her Fellowship year, Alchemy also served as the Fellow Liaison for the Black Legislative and Capital Association, planning events as requested by Black Fellows throughout all Capital Fellowship cohorts.
Before her Fellowship, Alchemy interned at the Department of Conservation, where she worked primarily on legislative research and analysis for oil and gas well setback regulations. Alchemy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Davis.
Transit California: 
You joined the California Transit Association as Legislative and Regulatory Advocate in October 2021. What does this role entail?
Alchemy Graham:
As a Legislative and Regulatory Advocate, I work closely with the Executive Director, Michael Pimentel, and Legislative Advocate, Matt Robinson, to advocate for legislation related to or affecting public transit. I check CapitolTrack every morning for any relevant bills. I also spend a great deal of time communicating with legislative staffers and scheduling meetings with them to discuss things like upcoming bill hearings and Association budget requests. Advocating for public transit priorities also includes providing testimony in legislative committees during bill hearings and informing the delegation of the position that the Association, or members of the Association, may adopt on any given bill.
In addition to those things, I contribute to the development of the Association’s regularly distributed Legislative Bulletins and Funding Updates. I also create bill analyses for the Association’s legislative priorities and bring these items forward to present in a variety of the Association’s Committees, providing members with important updates that take place throughout the legislative process.
Transit California:
Which Association committees do you participate in?
Alchemy Graham:
Currently, I am involved in the State Legislative Committee, Federal Legislative Committee, Executive Committee, Small Operators Committee, and Maintenance Committee. I am very much looking forward to getting involved with even more committees during my time as a Legislative and Regulatory Advocate.
Transit California:
How did you first become interested in public transit?
Alchemy Graham:
My interest in public transit actually started with an interest in the environment! I was in Girl Scouts for 10 years, and we spent a lot of time outdoors either camping, hiking, or picking up trash from public spaces. This sparked my interest in the outdoors, which was then heightened when I attended UC Davis. I studied biological sciences and took several classes on atmospheric biology, which informed me about many different anthropogenic causes of poor atmospheric conditions. I learned that transportation is the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions, and this piqued my interest in public transit and clean transportation. In my current role, I truly feel I’ve been given ample opportunities to be a part of positive change and impact the environment for the better.
Transit California:
What particular issue areas are you most interested in or passionate about within public transit?
Alchemy Graham:
I’m most interested in clean vehicles and the various clean technology alternatives. I’m very excited to be working so closely on zero-emission vehicle issues in my role because it’s allowing me to dive deeper into the issues that first introduced me to the public transit sphere.
Transit California:
What current or forthcoming bills or policies are you working to advance?
Alchemy Graham:
The Association is sponsoring three bills this Legislative Session, and I’ve had the pleasure of serving as a lead witness for one of them, AB 2622 (Mullin). This bill will extend a sales and use tax for transit agencies as they purchase zero-emission buses. The other two bills are SB 922 (Wiener) and SB 942 (Newman). SB 922 will add onto existing CEQA exemptions by providing an exemption for the development and continuation of clean transportation projects. SB 942 will assist transit agencies in increasing ridership by granting them access to funds from the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program to continuously subsidize free or reduced-fare transit programs.
Transit California:
What do you encounter among your peers in terms of attitudes toward and usage of public transit?
Alchemy Graham:
I find that most, if not all, of my peers are quite enthusiastic about the concept of ride sharing and public transit. They are knowledgeable about the climate crisis and understand the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Most of my peers work within walking distance of their jobs, and they walk to work daily to cut down on emissions. That is not quite reflective of the ideals of all people within my age group, however. Many of my much younger peers are at the age where they are now purchasing their first car, and very few of them are interested in utilizing public transit because of the stigmas associated with it. Unfortunately, it seems that the priority has been placed on personal convenience as opposed to environmental impact, and this is one of the issues I am excited to address as a Legislative and Regulatory Advocate.
Transit California:
The 2022 Spring Legislative Conference is taking place on May 18. What can people expect from the event?
Alchemy Graham:
This year’s Spring Legislative Conference features key information regarding public transit ridership, an important topic of discussion as transit agencies rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Association will also address the transition public transit agencies are making to zero-emission vehicles to meet statewide regulations and environmental objectives. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn more about the Association’s budget and legislative priorities as the legislative session progresses and bills are heard in policy and budget committees.
Transit California:
If someone would like to learn more about you or the initiatives you are involved with, what is the best way to connect with you?
Alchemy Graham:
I don’t post particularly often on my social media accounts, but I do check my twitter feed frequently to stay up to date on all things public transit! I can be reached on twitter @AlchemyGraham. Similarly, I’m always looking to connect with folks on my LinkedIn, or I can be reached via email and can be reached in the office at (916)-446-4656 x 1032.