Michael Feuer
Encyclopedia
Michael Nelson Feuer is an American
politician
and lawyer
. He has been elected to three two-year terms in the California State Assembly
, representing the 42nd Assembly District. The district includes Beverly Hills
, West Hollywood, and parts of West Los Angeles
. He was elected in 2006 on the Democratic
ticket, and reelected in 2008 and 2010.
Feuer served as a member of the Los Angeles City Council
from 1995 to 2001, representing the 5th Council District. In 2001 he was a candidate for Los Angeles City Attorney. He placed first of four candidates in the primary for the nonpartisan office, but narrowly lost the runoff to Rocky Delgadillo
. Prior to seeking office, Feuer served as executive director of Bet Tzedek Legal Services - The House of Justice
and was a lawyer in private practice.
Due to California's term limits law, his third term is his final term in the Assembly. In September 2011 he filed papers to initiate a second campaign for Los Angeles City Attorney, the same position he sought in 2001. The primary is March 5, 2013, with a general election, if necessary, on May 21, 2013.
Feuer holds both a bachelor's degree and a law degree from Harvard University
, and is married with two children: Danielle, 18, who is in her freshman year at Yale University, and Aaron, who is 21, and is in his junior year at Yale.
. Feuer's first electoral victory came in fourth grade when he was elected class president at Parkside Elementary School, a racially-mixed public school. In another early election, Feuer ran for class president at Golden Valley Junior High School. The initial election resulted in a tie. A few days later, the staff of the school decided to have another election, which Feuer won. He graduated in 1976 from San Bernardino High School, where he was class valedictorian. In high school, he played basketball and was a fan of the California Angels.
Feuer received both a bachelor's degree (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) and a law degree (cum laude) from Harvard University
. He later served on the Harvard Law School Visiting Committee, which reports to the Harvard Board of Overseers. He practiced law at two of California’s leading firms and served as a judicial clerk to the California Supreme Court.
Feuer served as executive director of Bet Tzedek Legal Services - The House of Justice. The Los Angeles Daily Journal declared that Feuer transformed Bet Tzedek into a “national success story” by establishing programs to help Alzheimer’s patients, victims of the Northridge earthquake and L.A. civil unrest, and Holocaust survivors striving to obtain restitution. At Bet Tzedek, Feuer oversaw free legal representation for more than 50,000 elderly, poor, and disabled clients on issues including health care, nursing home abuse, consumer fraud, and slum housing.
. He placed first in the nonpartisan primary for the office, taking 39% to opponent Rocky Delgadillo's 38%, but was narrowly defeated in the runoff, with Delgadillo taking 52% to Feuer's 48%. Feuer collected numerous endorsements in the race, including the LA Times. Afterward, Feuer worked in private practice and taught at the UCLA School of Public Affairs. He also wrote articles on children, seniors, government reform, violence prevention, consumer rights, the justice system and the environment in California’s leading newspapers. He served as a commentator on National Public Radio member KPCC.
, outgoing assemblymember Paul Koretz
, and the Sierra Club
. The Los Angeles Times highlighted Feuer's experience and policy skill as evidence that he would be an effective legislator. Land was endorsed by the California Labor Federation AFL-CIO
. Feuer won the Democratic nomination with over 50% of the vote. With more than 50% of 42nd Assembly District voters registered as Democrats, Feuer was assured an easy victory in the general election, and indeed, Feuer won the general election against Republican
Steven Mark Sion with more than 72% of the vote. In 2008 he was reelected, defeating Sion again with more than 76% of the vote. He was elected to a third and final term in the Assembly in 2010, defeating Republican Mary Toman-Miller with more than 73% of the vote.
ticket masking, nursing home safety and information, and putting a 7% cap on UC fee increases. The most publicized of Feuer's bills was AB 1471, which required all semi-automatic gun cartridges sold in California after 2010 to be microstamped in two locations. Feuer delivered the June 1, 2007, Democratic weekly radio address concerning that bill. (Media:http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Newsline/Audio/20070601RadioAddressEnglishGunsFeuer.mp3 Radio Address) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
approved Feuer's microstamping bill and his bill on DUI ticket masking on October 14, 2007, but vetoed several of Feuer's other bills, including those on nursing homes, consumer rebates, and court fees.
Feuer currently serves as chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. He continues to serve on the Budget Committee and the Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials Committee. He also serves on the Insurance Committee, and is a legislative participant in the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
. He has been elected to three two-year terms in the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
, representing the 42nd Assembly District. The district includes Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills is an affluent city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. With a population of 34,109 at the 2010 census, up from 33,784 as of the 2000 census, it is home to numerous Hollywood celebrities. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together...
, West Hollywood, and parts of West Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. He was elected in 2006 on the Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
ticket, and reelected in 2008 and 2010.
Feuer served as a member of the Los Angeles City Council
Los Angeles City Council
The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles.The Council is composed of fifteen members elected from single-member districts for four-year terms. The president of the council and the president pro tempore are chosen by the Council at the first regular meeting after...
from 1995 to 2001, representing the 5th Council District. In 2001 he was a candidate for Los Angeles City Attorney. He placed first of four candidates in the primary for the nonpartisan office, but narrowly lost the runoff to Rocky Delgadillo
Rocky Delgadillo
Rockard John "Rocky" Delgadillo is an American politician. He is the 6th and former City Attorney of Los Angeles, California.-Career:*Teacher / Coach, Los Angeles Unified School District, Franklin*Attorney, O’Melveny & Myers...
. Prior to seeking office, Feuer served as executive director of Bet Tzedek Legal Services - The House of Justice
Bet Tzedek Legal Services - The House of Justice
Bet Tzedek is an American non-profit human and poverty rights organization, internationally recognized for its work in providing unique advocacy and support for people living in poverty, and for communities victimized by discrimination and civil rights abuses....
and was a lawyer in private practice.
Due to California's term limits law, his third term is his final term in the Assembly. In September 2011 he filed papers to initiate a second campaign for Los Angeles City Attorney, the same position he sought in 2001. The primary is March 5, 2013, with a general election, if necessary, on May 21, 2013.
Feuer holds both a bachelor's degree and a law degree from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, and is married with two children: Danielle, 18, who is in her freshman year at Yale University, and Aaron, who is 21, and is in his junior year at Yale.
Before Politics
Feuer was born and raised in San Bernardino, CaliforniaSan Bernardino, California
San Bernardino is a city located in the Riverside-San Bernardino metropolitan area , and serves as the county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States...
. Feuer's first electoral victory came in fourth grade when he was elected class president at Parkside Elementary School, a racially-mixed public school. In another early election, Feuer ran for class president at Golden Valley Junior High School. The initial election resulted in a tie. A few days later, the staff of the school decided to have another election, which Feuer won. He graduated in 1976 from San Bernardino High School, where he was class valedictorian. In high school, he played basketball and was a fan of the California Angels.
Feuer received both a bachelor's degree (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) and a law degree (cum laude) from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. He later served on the Harvard Law School Visiting Committee, which reports to the Harvard Board of Overseers. He practiced law at two of California’s leading firms and served as a judicial clerk to the California Supreme Court.
Feuer served as executive director of Bet Tzedek Legal Services - The House of Justice. The Los Angeles Daily Journal declared that Feuer transformed Bet Tzedek into a “national success story” by establishing programs to help Alzheimer’s patients, victims of the Northridge earthquake and L.A. civil unrest, and Holocaust survivors striving to obtain restitution. At Bet Tzedek, Feuer oversaw free legal representation for more than 50,000 elderly, poor, and disabled clients on issues including health care, nursing home abuse, consumer fraud, and slum housing.
City Council
From 1995 to 2001, Feuer served as the 5th District member of the Los Angeles City Council. He was elected to fill a vacancy caused by the election of Councilmember Zev Yaroslavsky to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Feuer was elected over Barbara Yaroslavsky, the outgoing councilmember's wife. While on the Council, Feuer led committees on business tax reform, children’s and seniors’ issues, and ethics in government. He wrote ordinances and created new programs to combat gun violence, expand decent, affordable housing, protect seniors from elder abuse, advance the rights of women and girls, enhance environmental quality, improve emergency services and public safety, promote better race relations, and reform City government. Feuer chaired the City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee, delivering balanced multi-billion dollar budgets and intervening to ensure meals and transportation for seniors in need, jobs for disadvantaged youth, basic services for Los Angeles’ neighborhoods and funding to promote literacy. Feuer reached the two-term limit for his city council seat in 2001, and ran for city attorney.City Attorney's Race and after
In 2001, Feuer ran for City AttorneyLos Angeles City Attorney
The Los Angeles City Attorney is an elected official whose job is to prosecute all of the misdemeanor criminal offenses within the city of Los Angeles, California, United States. The General Counsel Division of the office provides legal counsel for the city by either defending the city or acting...
. He placed first in the nonpartisan primary for the office, taking 39% to opponent Rocky Delgadillo's 38%, but was narrowly defeated in the runoff, with Delgadillo taking 52% to Feuer's 48%. Feuer collected numerous endorsements in the race, including the LA Times. Afterward, Feuer worked in private practice and taught at the UCLA School of Public Affairs. He also wrote articles on children, seniors, government reform, violence prevention, consumer rights, the justice system and the environment in California’s leading newspapers. He served as a commentator on National Public Radio member KPCC.
Race for Assembly
In 2006, Feuer defeated West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land and three others in the Democratic primary for the 42nd Assembly District seat. Feuer ran with the endorsement of the Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
, outgoing assemblymember Paul Koretz
Paul Koretz
Paul Koretz is an American politician. He is currently a member of the Los Angeles City Council, representing the Fifth Council District. He was previously a member of the California State Assembly and the West Hollywood City Council...
, and the Sierra Club
Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
. The Los Angeles Times highlighted Feuer's experience and policy skill as evidence that he would be an effective legislator. Land was endorsed by the California Labor Federation AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
. Feuer won the Democratic nomination with over 50% of the vote. With more than 50% of 42nd Assembly District voters registered as Democrats, Feuer was assured an easy victory in the general election, and indeed, Feuer won the general election against Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Steven Mark Sion with more than 72% of the vote. In 2008 he was reelected, defeating Sion again with more than 76% of the vote. He was elected to a third and final term in the Assembly in 2010, defeating Republican Mary Toman-Miller with more than 73% of the vote.
Assembly Member
During his first term in the Assembly, Feuer served as chairman of Budget Subcommittee No. 5, dealing with information technology and transportation. He also served on the Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials Committee, the Judiciary Committee, the Revenue and Taxation Committee, and the Select Committees on Rail Transportation and Prison Construction and Operation. As a freshman, Feuer introduced more than 20 bills, on topics including transit oriented development, improvements on the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System, reducing DUIDUI
DUI is a three letter acronym that may stand for:* Driving under the influence * Democratic Union for Integration — the largest ethnic Albanian party in the Republic of Macedonia* Data Use Identifier...
ticket masking, nursing home safety and information, and putting a 7% cap on UC fee increases. The most publicized of Feuer's bills was AB 1471, which required all semi-automatic gun cartridges sold in California after 2010 to be microstamped in two locations. Feuer delivered the June 1, 2007, Democratic weekly radio address concerning that bill. (Media:http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Newsline/Audio/20070601RadioAddressEnglishGunsFeuer.mp3 Radio Address) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
approved Feuer's microstamping bill and his bill on DUI ticket masking on October 14, 2007, but vetoed several of Feuer's other bills, including those on nursing homes, consumer rebates, and court fees.
Feuer currently serves as chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. He continues to serve on the Budget Committee and the Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials Committee. He also serves on the Insurance Committee, and is a legislative participant in the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.