New moms know how difficult it is to get anything done in the first few weeks of your child's life. There's so much to get used to, and getting into a schedule takes a while. For working moms, that grace period isn't always a given. Though maternity laws have seen improvement in recent years, some jobs still hold unreasonable demands of new moms.
California Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks can relate. Buffy, who represents Berkeley and Oakland in the state Assembly, asked to vote by proxy. The issue on the table is one that's very important to Buffy. The vote was for State Bill 1120, which addresses the housing crisis in the state. The housing bill would have allowed the construction of duplexes in areas zoned for single-family homes.
Buffy's request to vote by proxy was denied, however. Passionate about the issue, Buffy got into her car with her 1-month-old and drove from her Oakland home to Sacramento for the vote.
A California assemblywoman was hoping to show how passionate she is about the housing crisis in her state. Instead, she went viral for illustrating the plight of working moms everywhere. Buffy Wicks traveled to Sacramento from her Oakland home for a vote, and instead she started a conversation.
Buffy Wicks welcomed her second child just a month ago. California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon had instituted the ability to vote by proxy during COVID-19 for the safety of all in the Assembly. When Buffy submitted a request to vote by proxy, she was denied. Maternity leave was cited as an ineligible reason for proxy voting.
Buffy works hard for her constituents. She knew an important vote was coming up. State Bill 1120 was up to a vote. The bill aimed to make it easier to build duplexes in areas zoned for single-family homes. She believes that not being able to do so contributes to the housing crisis in her state.
Buffy knew what she had to do. She decided to drive from her Oakland home to Sacramento for the vote with her 1-month-old, Elly. When the bill was announced, Buffy rushed from feeding Elly to share her thoughts.
"I was actually in the middle of feeding my daughter when this bill came up, and I ran down on the floor today because I strongly need to pass this bill," Buffy told her colleagues.
"We are 3.5 million homes shy of where we need to be right now, in this state."
Elly began to cry. "And Elly agrees that we need it. We need it. We absolutely need to pass this bill."
"And I know it's difficult for some of you. These votes are difficult for some of you, but it's very, very important. And I just came down here in strong support of this bill, and to urge my colleagues. It's the simplest way we can have density that still adheres to the neighborhood character," she continued.
"Please, please, please pass this bill. And I'm going to go finish feeding my daughter."
The bill didn't pass, however. Buffy wrote that she was "absolutely devastated" at the outcome.
"Our housing crisis requires us to act, and tonight we failed to do that," she tweeted.
"But I promise you this: I will always show up for housing – no matter what."
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon explained that he denied the request because it didn't fit within the strict COVID guidelines. He worried what the implications would be.
"We felt like if we allowed her to proxy vote and she didn’t fit in the definition, then every single thing that we passed, every single thing that we voted on, would be compromised," he told the San Francisco Chronicle.
He has since issued a formal apology to Buffy. "My intention was never to be inconsiderate toward her, her role as a legislator, or her role as a mother," he said.
"Inclusivity and electing more women into politics are core elements of our Democratic values. Nevertheless, I failed to make sure our process took into account the unique needs of our Members."
Buffy's decision to attend the vote quickly gained national attention. She hopes that the moment will serve as a "call to action" for advocates of paid parental leave who are fed up with the current system. She's been a longtime advocate herself.
"It is unconscionable that we allow that in our society."
