Betty Karnette

Betty Karnette was elected to a second stint in the California State Assembly in November, 2004, to represent the 54th District. Her district includes the cities of Avalon Long Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, San Pedro Signal Hill. Her district contains parts of the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles

Legislative history

Karnette served California State Senate from 1996 until she was termed out in 2004 and one previous term in the State Assembly from 1992 until she was defeated by Steven Kuykendall in 1994. Her committee assignments include the Rules, Appropriations, Transportation, Insurance, and the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committees. She chairs the Assembly Select Committee on Ports.

Legislative accomplishments

* Removing cop-killer ammunition and firearms from California streets and neighborhoods.
* Helping enact the Amber Alert to rescue abducted children.
* Authoring landmark legislation requiring that voters be able to review the political contributions received by candidates for public office (SB 49).
* Authoring legislation allowing the use of "battered woman syndrome" to be used in defense of those convicted of killing abusive spouses (SB 799).
* Fighting to improve oceanic environmental conditions by creating the Aquatic Invasive Species council within the Department of Fish and Game (SB 1573).
* Helping enact legislation to aid economic development in cities located along the Alameda Corridor rail system (SB 653).
* Directing and assisting in development of a statewide study to improve transportation conditions linked with gateways for global trade.

Personal background

Karnette has a long background of community involvement and public service. As a classroom teacher for over 30 years, she taught math and science to students in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Betty's activism and commitment to young people extended beyond the classroom and her participation in the community eventually led her to election to public office. She continues to serve on the Board of Directors of Young Horizons, a Long Beach non-profit corporation providing diversion activities, parenting skills and childcare for at-risk youth. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Long Beach Memorial Hospital Children's Clinic and is also an Associate Board Member for Sage House in San Pedro, which provides adult day care programs.

Betty and her husband Richard have lived in Long Beach since 1952 and are long-time Wrigley homeowners. They have one daughter. Ms. Karnette was born in Paducah, Kentucky. She completed her B.A. and M.A. degrees at California State University, Long Beach.