Vida En El Valle: Latino Caucus Lists Its Priorities

June 08, 2013

By: Cynthia Moreno

SACRAMENTO — Health care, education, immigration reform and economic development are the top priorities for the Latino Legislative Caucus.

For the first time in recent years, the caucus laid out a list of priority bills they plan to support at both the state and federal level.

The 24-member caucus plans to use a new list of guiding principles that focus on encouraging more Latinos to engage in the political process through public forums, internships, fellowships and community events.

“We believe the Latino agenda is the California agenda. We understand we are the growing majority in this state and we want to point out that we care about the same mainstream issues that every other Californian cares about,” said state Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, and caucus chair.

Caucus members believe the time has come to coalesce around issues that are important to the people they represent-including a growing minority-majority.

“We come from different geographical parts of the state and we have diverse perspectives, but we feel its important to be together and support issues that are crucial to the Latino community,” said Lara.

In recent weeks, each caucus member submitted bills they feel are important to their constituencies. Among the bills the caucus supports:

SB 39 by state Sen. Kevin De León, D-Los Ángeles, addresses clean energy jobs and student advancement. AB 27, which would establish a medical school at UC Riverside. AB 60, which would allow undocumented residents to apply for driver’s licenses. AB 114, which addresses green energy job training. AB 175, related to health care. AB 639, which affects veterans housing. AB 1195, which is tied to public records and crime victims. AB 1287, which focuses on accessibility to Cal Grants.

“The bills we chose reflect a wide range of issues and interests. All of them are important to Latinos,” said Assemblymember Luis Alejo, D-Salinas. Proposals on the TRUST Act and domestic workers did not make the list, but remain important to the caucus.

Alejo hopes his bill will make it to the governor’s desk.

“We have been pushing for drivers licenses for a very long time. It’s been years. Last month, the governors of Maryland, Colorado, Oregon and Washington have signed similar legislation into law and just a few days ago Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval approved it. We need to follow their example,” said Alejo.

Education bills are focused on helping children in underserved school districts.

“Equity in education funding is important and we recognize that the local control funding formula will allow for more resources to go to the very schools that need it most,” said Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Fullteron. “The No Child Left Behind Act hardly made an impact in our communities and we are committed to ensuring that this new formula will be a step in the right direction.”

Though controversy has surrounded the formula drawn by Gov. Brown to determine funding for school districts, caucus members believe that if the funds are used properly, they will benefit Latino students. “Achievement is about opportunity and money is about equity and the money that will be distributed based on this formula needs to be used correctly so that its based on need and context,” said Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez, D-Coachella.

Immigration reform at the federal level remains timely. “We have the largest population of undocumented immigrants in this state, they are important to our economy and family stability. We need to set the tone for the nation. Other states have set a different tone and we need to show that we embrace the immigrant,” said Pérez.

Contact the Reporter: cmoreno@vidaenelvalle.com