Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
- Senate: 2022-present
Bio
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, 56, is a labor and civil rights activist and former newspaper journalist. She has a degree from Cal State Hayward and worked for the Oakland Tribune, Long Beach Press-Telegram and the Chicago Tribune. She organized for SEIU Local 1877, and went on to the UCLA Labor Center, where she founded the Center for the Advancement of Racial Equity at Work. She cofounded the Los Angeles Black Worker Center. In the Senate, she’s advocated for several labor-related bills. She’s married and has two children.
Ideology
Bill Activity
For this session year, this legislator initiated 34 bills: 15 passed, 10 failed, and 9 are currently pending.
Alignment Meter
See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.
No Results
Digital Democracy contains no financial data in relation to this organization. Digital Democracy contains no contribution data in relation to this organization.
Influence
There are three categories of donations to legislators after they are elected that encourage a working relationship between the donor and the legislator. The three categories are: 1-Gifts, 2-Travel, 3-Behests.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| League of California Cities | $309 | Aug 17, 2022 | Lodging, meals, and beverages |
| Planned Parenthood Los Angeles | $301.69 | Oct 12, 2022 | Food & beverage |
| Community Coalition | $250 | Oct 26, 2022 | Food & beverage |
| California Democratic Party | $51.18 | Dec 4, 2022 | Food & beverage |
| California Teachers Association | $34.9 | Jul 24, 2022 | Food & beverage |
Gifts
Legislators are not allowed to accept gifts of more than $10 per month from registered lobbyists. Gifts from any other single source are limited to $590 in a calendar year.
Gift Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 66th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| California Science Center | $486 | Aug 18, 2023 | parking pass |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Foundation | $463.65 | Nov 20, 2023 | gift bags |
| Palmaz Vineyard | $165 | Aug 15, 2023 | dinner |
| Equality California | $117.29 | Oct 14, 2023 | food.bev |
| California Democratic Party | $101.42 | Feb 7, 2023 | Senate Caucus Policy Retreat |
| Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 | $91.25 | Feb 7, 2023 | jacket |
| Paramount Pictures Corporation | $89.75 | Jan 27, 2023 | food/bev/memorabillia |
| California Democratic Party | $83 | Jan 24, 2023 | Senate Caucus Budget Retreat |
| Visit Napa Valley | $66.48 | Aug 15, 2023 | transportation |
| California Democratic Party | $48.74 | Feb 8, 2023 | Senate Caucus Policy Retreat |
| Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 | $28.71 | Jan 31, 2023 | food/bev |
| California Environmental Voters | $24.37 | Aug 16, 2023 | food/bev |
| Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020 | $4.09 | Mar 20, 2023 | candy |
Gifts
Legislators are not allowed to accept gifts of more than $10 per month from registered lobbyists. Gifts from any other single source are limited to $590 in a calendar year.
Gift Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 81st highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| The California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $579 | Oct 25, 2024 | Gift bag |
| Bill Dodd for Lieutenant Governor | $336.1 | Dec 1, 2024 | Welcome Dinner |
| Writers Guild of America | $330 | Apr 14, 2024 | Parking, Ticket to Writers Guild Awards |
| California Democratic Party | $180.93 | Aug 7, 2024 | Departing Members Dinner |
| California Democratic Party | $139.52 | Feb 27, 2024 | Food and beverage |
| Josh Newman for Senate 2024 | $131 | Apr 15, 2024 | Dinner |
| Play Equity Fund | $130.9 | Mar 4, 2024 | T-shirts |
| Energy Action Fund | $113.39 | Apr 4, 2024 | Food and beverage |
| Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund | $111.96 | Jun 25, 2024 | Food and Beverage |
| California Tribal Business Alliance | $109.61 | Jan 11, 2024 | Food, beverage, entertainment |
| Play Equity Fund | $107.1 | Feb 23, 2024 | T-shirts |
| California Association of Winegrape Growers | $79.15 | Aug 14, 2024 | Food and Beverage |
| California Legislative Jewish Caucus Foundation | $77.39 | Sep 20, 2024 | Shabbat Dinner |
| Corey Jackson for Assembly | $70.67 | Jan 13, 2024 | Flowers |
| California Democratic Party | $65 | Jan 25, 2024 | Food and beverage |
| William Morris Endeavor | $64.49 | Sep 20, 2024 | Shabbat Dinner |
| Mike McGuire for State Senate 2022 | $58 | Feb 28, 2024 | Engraved Tumbler |
| Senator Bill Dodd | $54.99 | Mar 21, 2024 | Wine |
| Lena Gonzalez for Senate 2024 | $50 | May 8, 2024 | Food and beverage |
| California Legislative Jewish Caucus Foundation | $48.45 | Apr 29, 2024 | Caucus Yom HaShaoh Event |
| California Democratic Party | $38.4 | Feb 27, 2024 | Food and beverage |
| California Democratic Party | $25.66 | Apr 9, 2024 | Senate Caucus Lunch |
| Lena Gonzalez for Senate 2024 | $17.94 | Feb 27, 2024 | Senate Policy Conference |
| Mike McGuire for Insurance Commissioner 2026 | $7.9 | Mar 14, 2024 | Beer |
| Mike McGuire for Insurance Commissioner 2026 | $6.65 | Mar 13, 2024 | Plant |
| Lena Gonzalez for Senate 2024 | $4 | Apr 18, 2024 | Scarf |
Gifts
Legislators are not allowed to accept gifts of more than $10 per month from registered lobbyists. Gifts from any other single source are limited to $590 in a calendar year.
Gift Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 32nd highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy | $1,265.05 | Dec 12, 2024 | CFEE Water Conference in Palm Springs (lodging and meals): |
| Women in California Leadership | $102.02 | Jan 11, 2024 | Transportation to Chowchilla: Visit to Central California Women's Facility |
Sponsored Travel
Legislators are allowed to have their expenses paid for domestic and international travel that is related to their work including, for example, trips to conferences or to tour places facing issues similar to California. There is no limit on the amount of travel expenses a legislator can accept. The trips are often funded by companies or organizations with interest in state policy.
Travel Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 78th highest for the amount of sponsored travel received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $3,500 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $3,500 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $3,500 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $3,500 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $3,500 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $3,500 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $3,500 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $3,500 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $3,500 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $3,500 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $3,500 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $3,500 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| Women in California Leadership | $3,000 | Jul 28, 2023 | Student scholarship |
| Women in California Leadership | $3,000 | Jul 28, 2023 | student scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $1,014 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $1,014 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $1,014 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $1,014 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $1,014 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $1,014 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $1,014 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $1,014 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $1,014 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $1,014 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $1,014 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
| California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute | $1,014 | Aug 11, 2023 | Scholarship |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a legislator to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a legislator requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
Behests Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 16th highest for the amount of behests received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Olson Remcho, LLP | $32,058 | Apr 30, 2024 | Amicus brief in Office of the State Public Defender v. Bonta (Case No. S284496) |
| Southern California Black Worker Hub | $5,000 | Aug 13, 2024 | SB 1340 Rally & Education Day |
| Los Angeles Black Worker Center | $5,000 | Aug 13, 2024 | SB 1340 Rally & Education Day |
| Inland Empire Black Worker Center | $5,000 | Aug 13, 2024 | SB 1340 Rally & Education Day |
| Women in California Leadership | $3,000 | Jul 29, 2024 | Student Scholarship |
| Women in California Leadership | $3,000 | Jul 29, 2024 | Student Scholarship |
| LA County Legislative Delegation Foundation | $2,500 | Aug 13, 2024 | non-profit grant |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a legislator to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a legislator requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
Behests Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 30th highest for the amount of behests received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Women in California Leadership | $3,000 | Aug 4, 2025 | Minerva Scholarship |
| Women in California Leadership | $3,000 | Aug 4, 2025 | Minerva Scholarship |
| Women in California Leadership | $2,500 | Nov 17, 2025 | Donation to a nonprofit organization |
| Women in California Leadership | $2,500 | Nov 21, 2025 | Donation to a nonprofit organization |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a legislator to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a legislator requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
Behests Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 79th highest for the amount of behests received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Automobile Club of Southern California | $5,000 | Jan 9, 2026 | Los Angeles MLK Parade Sponsorship |
Behests
These are unlimited payments made “at the behest” — or request — of a legislator to a third party. The behest might involve, for example, a legislator requesting a donation be made to a school district or a job fair. Behests must be reported if they exceed $5,000 from a single source in a year.
Behests Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 43rd highest for the amount of behests received.
Featured Comments
Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.
1MIN
SB 1073
Income taxes: voluntary contributions: Black Cultural District Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund.
Previous Election (2022):