A contingent of UCLA Luskin faculty, students, staff, and alumni traveled to Sacramento in mid-February to bring new research and policy insights to decision-makers who are grappling with the state’s most pressing issues.

The two-day California Policy Briefing highlighted scholarship from two of the School’s research centers: The UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies focused on how the state can oversee equitable implementation of a new statewide upzoning law. And the UCLA Voting Rights Project examined legislative strategies to strengthen fairness, inclusivity, and trust in the electoral process.

Xavier Becerra, former U.S. congressman, California attorney general, and U.S. secretary of health and human services, addressed the gathering. UCLA Luskin graduate and undergraduate students in attendance also met with UCLA alumni now serving in the the state Assembly and received a private tour of the Capitol. The UCLA Luskin community also reconnected at an alumni reception.

First-year MPP student Andrea Escobar shared her reflections on the experience:

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For the last four years, I have worked in Sacramento as a staffer in the Governor’s Office. I used to walk past the Capitol on my way to work every day but truly never paid it much attention. During UCLA Luskin’s 2026 California Policy Briefing, I returned as a Master of Public Policy student with the goal of bridging my professional experience in state government with the analytical tools I am currently developing at Luskin.

Andrea Escobar

This trip not only allowed me to return to a city I care deeply about, but also gave me the opportunity to see the policymaking process from a new vantage point — one that is no longer as staff supporting the work behind the scenes, but as a policy advocate and researcher engaging directly with legislators and other policy professionals.

The first day of our Sacramento trip was spent exploring the Capitol and meeting with Assemblymembers Mike Fong and Josh Hoover, both UCLA alums. Although both were delayed due to a floor session, we had the opportunity to hear from Assemblymember Fong’s chief of staff, who shared insights into her career path in the Legislature and the experiences that shaped her work. What resonated most with me was her reminder that there is no single “correct” path into public service — each journey, whether rooted in direct legislative work in Sacramento or community and stakeholder engagement in Los Angeles, brings valuable perspective.

This reinforced that policy leadership is strengthened by diverse experiences and grounded understanding of the communities we serve. These experiences are shaping me into a more thoughtful policy researcher and professional who prioritizes lived experience as an essential component of effective policymaking.

Our Capitol tour included access to both the Senate and Assembly floors. As someone who aspires to write policy, standing in those chambers brought into focus the weight and significance of this work. It was a powerful reminder that policymaking is not abstract — it directly shapes people’s lives and opportunities. With that comes a responsibility to advance policies that improve the human condition and create a more just and equitable future. These moments reaffirmed my commitment to pursuing policy work that leaves a lasting, positive impact for future generations.

Our final day in Sacramento focused on two policy briefings: one on SB 79, California’s new statewide upzoning law, and another on protecting equitable access to the ballot. These sessions highlighted the complex ecosystem involved in implementing major policy reforms, bringing together stakeholders, local governments, state agencies, elected officials, and legal scholars. The conversations underscored how policymaking does not end with passage; it requires coordination, legal interpretation, and sustained collaboration to translate legislation into meaningful impact. Together, the briefings illustrated the layered and collaborative nature of turning policy into practice.

Being back in the Capitol as a student sharpened my understanding of how research, narrative, and coalition-building intersect to shape policy outcomes. It reinforced why I came to UCLA: to strengthen my capacity as a policy analyst and advocate who can translate lived experience and community priorities into actionable, evidence-based proposals. Returning to Sacramento in this new role felt both full circle and forward-looking. It affirmed my commitment to advancing equitable and just policies in California.

View photos from the 2026 California Policy Briefing on Flickr.