| A local boy, Scott was born and raised in the 21st Senate District. The district includes the Antelope, Santa Clarita and Victor valleys.
Coming from a working class family in the Antelope Valley, with a father in aerospace, Scott's family lived through the boom and bust times of that industry. Knowing financial insecurity places strain on the family, Scott has focused on policies to promote economic growth. He was the principal co-author of the Film & TV Tax Credit that has restored families by bringing back jobs to California. He also co-authored the Aerospace Tax Credit that brought the new long-range bomber federal contract to the 21st Senate District.
Scott also understands that a helping hand can be the difference between struggling and success. He has focused his legislative priorities on giving a voice to those that need our help including the disability community, the homeless, foster youth and animal rights.
In 2018 Scott was the recipient of Easterseals California's "2018 Senate Champion Award." The award was presented to him in recognition of his continuing legislative work on behalf of children and adults with disabilities. In 2019, the animal rights group Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL) honored Scott with the "Compassionate Legislative Champion" Award acknowledging his leadership in protecting those that have no voice.
The first in his family to graduate from college, Scott believes education is the pathway to economic upward mobility. He serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Education Committee where he focuses on student access and success. As a parent of two and a grandfather, he also supports parental choice. Children learn differently and a one-size-fits-all approach to education does not work.
In January 2019, Scott was appointed to the State Allocation Board, which is responsible for appropriating school facility dollars to school districts, ensuring California's students are educated in modern, safe and well-maintained classrooms.
The cornerstone of transparent government is election integrity. Scott has been a leader in broadening financial disclosure requirements so voters can track where campaign money comes from. In 2017, California Common Cause presented him the "We the People" Award for his leadership in election reform and in 2019 he received the Clean Money Champion award from the California Clean Money Campaign for his support of transparency in elections.
Scott also believes greater transparency leads to a more accountable government. In his landmark 2017 legislation, SB 634, creating the new Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency he established a ratepayer advocate to protect homeowners and small business. He has also pushed legislation to hold state agencies to the same open meetings act requirements as local government.
Scott serves as Vice Chair of four Senate Committees - the Committees on Education, Agriculture, Rules and Governmental Organization. Additionally he is a member of the Committees on Business, Professions and Economic Development; and Veterans Affairs.
Scott and his wife, Vanessa, reside in Santa Clarita with their two spoiled dogs, Simi V and AV. They have two adult children, Scott, Jr. and Alison. Alison and her husband, Matt, are the proud parents of the Wilk's precious grandson Zeke. |