to discuss this further, i'm joined by sacramento lobbyist pamela lopez, who helped organize the letter campaign, california state senator nancy skinner of berkeley, and kqed politics and government reporter marisa lagos, who joins us from sacramento. welcome to you all. pamela, let me begin with you. why did you and other women who work in the state capitol hill community decide to issue this open letter. >> because we've had enough in the wake of the harvey weinstein scandal, i and several other friends started comparing notes and talking about our experiences working in california politics and the california political community. and started sharing some very upsetting stories about quid pro quo sexual harassment that we've faced from powerful men in the capitol community, not only legislators but other powerful lobbyists, other appointed officials. >> you have a story that happened to you? >> i do. even stories that border on sexual assault. i was walking into a public restroom, thought i was alone, wo opened the door, felt a bod rush up behind me, slam and locked the door. by the ti

7 is now on for the ledge -- the search is now on for the legislator who attacked a lobbyist, pamela lopez. investigations are underway in the senate. the story is graphic and may not be suitable for young children. >> i just thought it was the price of working in politics. >> for many women sexual harassment is the price of working in politics. sabrina demaya lockhart said she endured harassment at the california capitol more than a decade and lobbyist pamela lopez says it happens all the time. >> it's very widespread for many women who work in politics. >> reporter: according to pamela, about two years ago one politician even got physical. >> he rushed up behind me, rushed me into the restroom, locked the door behind him, exposed himself, began to masturbate all in a matter of seconds. >> reporter: lopez won't name that politician, but she's one of more than 140 women in state politics. republicans and democrats who have signed a letter blasting the dehumanizing behavior they face saying, "men have groped and touched us without our consent, made inappropriate comments about our bodies an

here is lobbyist pamela lopez talking about a run and she said she had with the state legislator. >> he rushed up behind me, rushed me into the restroom and locked the door behind him and exposed himself, began to masturbate in a matter of seconds. >> she did not want to name the perpetrator, saying it would detract from the broader cultural problem. the senate plans to have a law office specializing in investigating workplace harassment and discrimination. they will interview current and former senate staff. it will bring on a sacramento- based consulting firm to review the harassment policies. an assembly subcommittee will review the lower chamber policies when it meets next january. >>> politics at play. >> it is sacramento. the announcement on the plans came from kevin daly on, running to unseat senator dianne feinstein in 2018. in the first few days, there was a boys club culture that was confronted and whether leaders had done anything to change it. >> thank you. it appears a judge will not overturn president donald trump's decision to end health insurance subsidies for low inc

pamela lopez talks about a run and that she said was with the mandate is is a current legislator. >> he rushed up behind me, rushed me into the restroom and locked the door behind him, exposed himself and began to masturbate in a matter of seconds. >> she does not want to name the perpetrator, saying it would detract from the broader cultural problem. the senate plan specializes in the investigating of this and they will interview current and former senate staff dating back five years. they will bring in a sacramento- based hr consulting firm to review the harassment policy and an assembly subcommittee will review the lower chamber policy and it will meet in january. >>> next week and, expect to see bart's new cars on the tracks. >>> the market opened about 10 minutes ago. the dow is up about 159 points and we will get an update on the financial reporter, next. sears is dumping whirlpool appliances... now with the >>> after a business relationship spanning more than a century, sears is dumping whirlpool appliances. >> reporter: certainly, one of relationships out there. sears said wh

as a lobbyist in sacramento, pamela lopez says she's been a victim of sexual harassment.he most disturbing incident happened about two years ago. >> he rushed up behind me, rushed me into the restroom, locked the door, exposed himself, began to -- in a matter of seconds. >> reporter: she and other woman blasted a letter called inappropriate behavior about our bodies and our abilities. insults and sexual innuendo frequently disguised as jokes undermine our professional capabilities. >> you touching my body in a way that's not welcome is harassment. >> reporter: christina garcia said a lobbyist grabbed her inappropriately five years ago and that's one of the rbs she signed the letter. garcia says the issue of sexual harassment is not only nonpartisan, she says it shouldn't be a women's issue. >> it's not our responsibility. it's those with power, how do they fix the problem. >> reporter: the scandal surrounding harvey weinstein hat gotten others to share their stories. a rhode island state representative told prove zens journal i was told for a adding it's someone with high

. >> as a lobbyist in sacramento pamela lopez says she is a victim of sexual harassment and the most disturbing incident happened two years ago. >> he rushed me into restroom, and rush ed behind me and exposd himself and began to masturbate in a moment of seconds. >> reporter: lopez and other women issued a letter blasting dehumanizing behavior. men have groped us without our consent and made comments about our bodies and abilities. insults and sexual innuendo described as jokes have undermined our professional positions and capabilities. ⌞> you are touching my body in a way that is not welcomed, it is harassment. >> reporter: a lobbyist cristina garcia says that she was dwrabd grabbed inappropriately, andb she says it is so nonpartisan, it shouldn't be an issue. >> and it is how do those in power fix this problem. >> the fallout of the harvey weinstein scandal has prompted others to tell their stories from the former south dakota state senator sharing her experience on facebook to a rhode island state are representative who told the providence journal that sexual favors would allow