In the News

By: Jeremy White

California Assembly members formally selected Anthony Rendon on Monday as speaker, vaulting the Lakewood Democrat to a position he could potentially hold for almost a decade.

“When the voters extended term limits in 2012, they did so because they believed they would help the Legislature be more thoughtful, more productive and more deliberative,” said Rendon, who could hold his seat until 2024 under new term-limit rules. He said his role would be to help members “develop greater expertise and pursue longer-term policy strategies.”

By: Michael Oleaga

While the U.S. Congress stalls on immigration reform, California continues to invest millions of dollars for the immigrant community.

By: Michael Oleaga

Latinos have been making monumental steps in California, including in the state's legislative body. Assemblymember Luis Alejo is among the names paving the way to improve the lives of all Californians -- including Latinos, undocumented and documented.

By: Jeremy White

Moving to designate a leader with just days remaining in this year’s legislative session, Assembly Democrats on Thursday voted unanimously to make Assemblyman Anthony Rendon their next speaker.

Speculation about a leadership change spiked last week when Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, circulated a pledge asking members to not hold a vote until next January. Term limits require Atkins to give up her Assembly seat in 2016.

By: Melissa Masatani

A La Puente girl was recognized Monday by state officials after completing seven marathons on seven continents.

The California Latino Legislative Caucus honored 12-year-old Blanca Ramirez at the 14th annual Latino Spirit Awards Ceremony. Blanca received the Dynamic Youth Award.

By: Jeremy White

The San Francisco Giants entered Monday with a losing record, but relief pitcher Sergio Romo won plaudits from California lawmakers for his service.

Fingers glittering with the three World Series championship rings his team has made a habit of winning, Romo arrived in Sacramento to accept a Latino Spirit Award. The California Latino Legislative Caucus bestows the honor on Latinos prominent in fields that can include business, public service, and sports.

By: Melanie Maso

Latino lawmakers, who have increasingly flexed their muscle as a voting bloc in the Capitol, endorsed a slate of proposals Wednesday that includes efforts to increase voter registration and promote clean energy.

The package underscores how the lawmakers are broadening their focus from core issues such as immigration to economic and environmental policies as well.

By: Jeremy White

If not for a supportive cousin, Tony Thurmond might have ended up like the kids he’s made a career of helping instead of becoming a state assemblyman from Richmond.

Thurmond’s mother died when he was six, and the trauma of serving in Vietnam had led his father to “basically never come home,” Thurmond said. Rather than slip into the foster care system, Thurmond moved from San Jose to Philadelphia to be raised by a cousin who he says “basically saved my life.”