California Latino Legislative Caucus Elects New Leadership
(SACRAMENTO) — The California Latino Legislative Caucus (CLLC) has selected Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) as the new Chair heading into the 2015-16 Legislative year. The CLLC is currently comprised of 22 State Legislators—17 Assemblymembers and 5 Senators—and focuses primarily on improving the quality of life for families in California, with an emphasis on Latino communities.
“I want to thank Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) for leading us these past few years and say that I’m honored to be chosen by my colleagues in the State Legislature to be his successor,” says Alejo. “With their support, I know that we will be able to pick up where Senator Lara left off and continue to represent hardworking Californian families and Latino communities during a time when changes in immigration law will impact millions.”
Alejo was first elected to the Assembly in November 2010 and served as CLLC’s Vice-Chair during this past year. Alejo currently represents the 30th Assembly District, which contains San Benito County, the Salinas Valley, a large portion of Monterey County, South Santa Clara County, and Watsonville. Alejo is also currently the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials and is best known for his work to raise California’s minimum wage and grant undocumented immigrants the opportunity to apply for a driver’s license. This past November, Alejo was re-elected to his final term in the California State Assembly. He will be eligible to serve as CLLC’s Chair until 2016.
“As the new Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, I will make it my priority to facilitate legislation that helps Latino communities flourish,” states Alejo. “Over these last few years, I’ve made California’s economic recovery my priority and I’ve come to realize that when our state’s fastest growing demographic thrives, California thrives.”
Additionally, the CLLC voted in Senator Ben Hueso (D-Chula Vista) to serve as the Vice-Chair. Hueso was first elected to the California State Senate in March 2013 and currently represents the 40th Senate District, which includes Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach, the Coronado portion of San Diego, Imperial County, and the southern part of Riverside.
“It is an honor to serve as Vice-Chair of the Latino Caucus,” adds Hueso. “Working together will be important in passing sound legislation in order to advance the welfare and quality of life of every Californian. Senator Lara was a great leader and he will be missed. Moving forward, I am confident that Assemblymember Alejo will provide strong direction for our Caucus and our state.”
For more information about the Latino Caucus, its members, and priorities, please visit the following web address.