Releases & Statements

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Huntington Park/ Long Beach), Chairman of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, today released the following statement:

“This has been a banner year for the Latino Caucus. We set out to make a difference and were able to make major strides in improving the lives of all Californians by facilitating driver’s licenses for the undocumented community, expanding health care access to the uninsured, and expanding educational opportunities for millions of students.

SACRAMENTO – In light of news reports that the NRA and other extreme right wing Republican organizations are looking to launch recall efforts against five Latino legislators, Senator Ricardo Lara (D–Huntington Park/ Long Beach), Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, has released the following statement:

SACRAMENTO – Following in the wake of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.'s signing of AB 60 which would grant undocumented immigrants a driver's license, today Governor Brown signed seven additional bills that will help the undocumented individuals and students living in this state pursue their higher education and professional careers . Senator Ricardo Lara (D–Huntington Park/ Long Beach), Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, released the following statement:

SACRAMENTO – Senator Ricardo Lara (D–Bell Gardens/ Long Beach), Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus joined legislative leaders, fellow Latino Caucus members, immigrant rights advocates and  Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. at the signing ceremony for AB 60 authored by Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) today and released the following statement:

“I am proud to stand beside my colleagues and join Governor Brown on a day that will be remembered in history as a victory for California.

SACRAMENTO – Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach) released the statement below welcoming Freddie Rodriguez to the California State Legislature:

“As Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, I would like to extend my congratulations and welcome to our newest caucus member Freddie Rodriguez! We look forward to working with you to advocate on behalf of the professional, educational, social, political and cultural interests of the Latino Community and the working families in our state.”

SACRAMENTO, CA – Leaders of the California Latino Legislative Caucus issued the statement below in support of AB 1024 by Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego). This measure, which is co-authored by the Latino Caucus, permits the State Supreme Court to admit as an attorney any applicant who has fulfilled all requirements for a law license notwithstanding their undocumented status. The bill passed out of the Assembly tonight and heads to Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. for his consideration:

SACRAMENTO – California Latino members of the California State Senate today are spearheading the passage of AB 60 (Alejo). The bill aims to provide undocumented residents in California with a valid driver’s license.

Since 2001, the Legislature has sought to allow the issuance of driver’s licenses to the undocumented immigrant community. This year, AB 60 advanced through the legislative process with a broad coalition of support including advocacy groups, labor and law enforcement.  However, recent amendments stalled the passage of this bill.

SACRAMENTO – Leaders of the California Latino Legislative Caucus issued the statement below in support of AB 1024 by Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego). This measure, which is co-authored by the Latino Caucus, permits the State Supreme Court to admit as an attorney any applicant who has fulfilled all requirements for a law license notwithstanding their undocumented status:

SACRAMENTO – Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus (D-Bell Gardens), Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez, Vice-Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus (D-Coachella) and members of the California Latino Legislative Caucus held the Caucus’ first public informational briefing on the status of a comprehensive immigration reform. Individuals and organizations from different sectors of the state gathered to hear a historical narrative of immigration reform and were provided a forum to voice comments and concerns.

SACRAMENTO – Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, commended Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today for the signing of AB 97 and SB 91, the budget trailer bills that revolutionize the distribution of state funding for California schools.  Under the new Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) school districts will not only receive more funding on a per pupil basis, but schools with high concentrations of disadvantaged English language learning students will receive substantial grants to meet their needs.