State Sen. John Laird remembers Mike Rotkin, who died last week from complications from leukemia.
John Laird
The Moss Landing fire – where do we go from here?
The battery fire at Moss Landing requires a complete, independent investigation, writes state Sen. John Laird, and the public deserves to know how the fire started, how future fires can be prevented and the possible health and ecological impacts of the fire. There are no lithium standards in California, he writes, but says if Vistra’s battery plant does get rebuilt in Moss Landing, “it should be with newer, safer technology.”
I’ve been elected to public office eight times – here are my top tips for new elected officials
State Sen. John Laird – who has spent four decades in politics, starting with his first term on the Santa Cruz City Council in 1982 – offers his advice to those just elected. His rules offer insight into the political process as we sort through the Election Day aftermath.
Laird: It’s a ‘simple act of fairness’ to approve cannabis dispensary at former Emily’s Bakery site
Despite school officials’ opposition, state Sen. John Laird supports the creation of a cannabis dispensary at the former Emily’s Bakery in Santa Cruz. In a Community Voices opinion piece, he outlines his reasoning and his historical connection to some of the partners in the project.

