Volume 1, Edition 5 — February 2007

Assemblymember Mary Salas:
“Rooted in Service,” Continuing Her Family’s Example

Mary’s family has a history of strong community involvement.  Her father and all of his eight siblings were born in Chula Vista and stayed in the community to raise their families.  Each was deeply involved in community service and volunteerism through membership and leadership with Church activities, Kiwanis, Lions, Eagles, VFW, and American Legion.  Her uncle A.Y. Casillas was the first Latino ever elected to the school board.  “Little did I realize then that I would follow his example and become the first Latina elected to the Chula Vista City Council in 1996,” says Assemblymember Mary Salas.

Committee on Veterans Affairs especially because of my father and my uncles’ military service.  Now as they have given to our country, I have the opportunity to serve our veterans,” says Assemblymember Salas.  “Particularly at this critical time, my focus as chair will be to address the re-entry needs of our service men and women who are returning from current duty, keeping in mind the ongoing concerns of our entire Veterans’ community.” 

Mary’s family has always been a priority.  “My husband, Sal, and I enjoy cooking for our family – pots boiling, grandkids running around, three or four conversations overlapping – a houseful of family – that is how I relax when we can all catch up over a home cooked meal.”

When she is home, Mary likes to take time in the early morning tending to her garden.  She has a variety of rose bushes that she has nurtured over the years.

She is looking forward to taking a whitewater rafting trip.  “I am always looking for new and exciting ways to spend time outdoors, I have been on quite a ride for the last few years… and feel ready for the rapids,” she quips.

 Nationwide News Covers Latino Caucus Meeting

“Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.…”

Abraham Lincoln

February 28

TRI CAUCAS dinner with Chancellor Reed & 23 Presidents of the CSU System at the Sterling Hotel.

February 23

 Latino Caucus hosting a Capitol Staff  Presentation by Dr.  David Hayes-Bautista at 12 Noon in Room 4202 (lunch will be provided)

Please RSVP 319-2023.

February  27

Latino Caucus Member’s Meeting in the Maddy Room 11:00 a.m. (Caucus Photo will be taken)

March 1

Latino Caucus Chief of Staff Meeting in the Capitol, Room 125 12:00 Noon

May 7

Latino Spirit Awards Ceremony

Capitol Press Corps coverage of the Jan. 31 planning meeting of the Latino Caucus resulted in several news stories running nationwide highlighting Latino issues in California .

The exposure began with remarks by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata drew attention.  The Democratic leaders outlined plans for drawing new district boundaries for lawmakers, changing term limits and moving California ’s Presidential Primary from June to February.

Other stories included Asm. Joe Coto, chair of the Latino Caucus (and a retired school superintendent) receiving an A for his plan to require high school graduates to register to vote in order to receive a diploma.

“Joe Coto has the political tools to get things done,” Nuñez told nearly two dozen Caucus Members joined by several of their chiefs of staff. 

Held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento, the half-day planning session began with Peter Schrag, author of “California: America’s High-Stakes Experiment” and longtime editor for the Sacramento Bee; and Dr.  David Hayes-Bautista, professor of medicine at the University of California Los Angeles and author of La Nueva California: Latinos in the Golden State.

Schrag talked about how the ability of state policymakers to forge California ’s culturally and ethnically diverse population into a successful democracy will be of crucial importance not only to Golden State Latinos but also to America ’s continuing success.

Some of the myths discussed include:

·         Latina fertility is sky high.

·         Undocumented immigrant children crowd California ’s public schools.

·         Latino immigrants cause traffic congestion. 

According to studies performed by UCLA’s center for the Study of Latino Health, History and Culture, these three statements are false, Hayes-Bautista said. 

“ Latina fertility in 2003 is 9 percent lower than non-Hispanic white fertility in 1960… Ninety-two percent of Latino children entering schools are US citizens… and immigrants are three-to-five times more likely to carpool or use public transportation,” he said. 

 The Member’s spent time during their planning meeting, discussing several pressing state issues. 

For example, Sen. Denise Moreno Ducheny and Asm. Hector De La Torre provided tips on how Members could incorporate policy into the state budget.  Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero gave a timely overview of crowding in state prisons and pending prison reforms proposed by the Governor and the Legislature. 

Sen. Dean Florez analyzed how tribal compacts will undoubtedly be another key policy item in the Legislature this year, and Asm. Pedro Nava reviewed critical transportation issues affecting residents statewide. 

The final presenter Asm. Kevin De Leon, provided an in-depth look at education, noting that Latinos are overwhelmingly enrolled in lower-performing schools. 

Speaker Fabian Nuñez greets Caucus Chair Joe Coto.

‘Save the Dates’ includes March 22nd and 23rd.  The Caucus will meet for an Educational Symposium at the Barona Valley Ranch in San Diego .  The two-day event is part of a two-year effort to meet at various sites around the state.  The goal is to call attention to the five focus areas of the Caucus and build collaborative partnerships.  Among the speakers at the event is Dr. Michael Kirst of Stanford University .  Dr. Kirst will share the progress of the on-going study of the issue of  providing Adequacy in educating California ’s youth.

Latinos in California Politics: Fun Facts

California ’s Democratic Congressional Delegation is larger than every other state’s ENTIRE delegation.  Six of the 34 Democratic Congressional Representatives’ are Latino.

Latino Caucus to Address Housing Disparities

 Home ownership has long been a cornerstone of the American dream.  It opens the doors to wealth accumulation and provides a tangible asset.  It can also serve as a springboard to ensure the success of future generations.  However, California ’s home ownership rate has been in decline for the past 30 years and at 57%, the rate is more than 10% lower than the national average.  This issue is of particular concern for Latinos, whose home ownership rates are only 44%.  When compared to the 72% home ownership rates of non-Hispanic Whites, the disparities become apparent.  Research by the Greenlining Institute has found that although Latinos currently are 34% of the population, they only receive 18% of all conventional real estate loans. 

It is projected that by 2025, Latinos will constitute more than half of the state’s population.  If home ownership rates for Latinos do not improve, California will become the first state where renters outnumber home owners.  With such low rates of home ownership, it will be difficult for California to maintain its place as an economic powerhouse.  If the current gap in homeownership persists, California ’s future Latino population will not only be the majority, but will also constitute the largest cast of renters.

of affordable housing.  As California ’s population booms, the price of housing also rises.  The supply of homes does not meet the demand of the growing population requires.  A variety of issues, such as the lack of available land, city zoning, and environmental pressures have impacted the ability of new homes to be built.  This has led California to have one of the highest home prices in the country, nearly twice the national average.  As a result, many Californians, and especially Latinos, have been “left out” and unable to purchase a home. 

The Latino Caucus has recognized housing as a key issue facing Latinos in California .  Among the top legislative priorities for the Latino Caucus members is to increase the number of Latino homeowners.  The Caucus wants to ensure that city zoning includes affordable housing and that the state develops long-term housing plans.  In their weekly meetings, the Latino Caucus has discussed in depth the growing disparities in home ownership rates for Latinos.  Several Caucus members are exploring legislation that would address the needs of California Latinos as they pertain to housing.  As California grows, home ownership for Latinos is of utmost importance.  The Latino Caucus understands this crucial issue and will lead the state to ensure that Latinos can achieve the dream of owning a home.

Sen. Gloria Romero Defines 2007 Corrections Landscape 2007

 Senate Majority Floor Leader Gloria Romero presented a corrections overview to the Latino Caucus in January 31.  Her highest priority this year is establishing a state Sentencing Commission.  Her sentencing commission bill, SB 110, creates an independent and nonpartisan Sentencing Commission whose purpose is to review sentencing structure and develop a model that eliminates confusion and provides equitable and consistent sentencing.  In the last 17 years, the Legislature has passed over 1,000 bills enhancing sentences for crimes without a discussion as to their impact.  The Commission’s recommendations take effect unless they are rejected by the Legislature.    

lawmakers in Sacramento to shift into high gear and provide a solution. 

In response to Cunningham, she has introduced SB 40 that provides a quick fix to stabilize the courts until a state Sentencing Commission can review the states’ sentencing structure.  The measure has received broad bi-partisan support passing the Senate on a 36-1 vote.

She also highlighted the prison-overcrowding crisis.  There are currently 173,000 inmates in California ’s prisons, which is 200% of design capacity.  This comes at a costly price to the state, which spends approximately $10 billion dollars of its general fund on the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.   

Senator Romero went on to say we can’ “build our way out of this problem”.  She set forth a comprehensive blue print of short and long-term solutions.   She concluded her remarks by focusing on our Department of Juvenile Justice, which suffers from a high recidivism rate.  She indicated her support for the Governor’s proposal to transfer dollars and supervision responsibility to the counties for low-level offenders. 

Most Latinos Lack Adequate Health Insurance Coverage

 ( Jan. 31, 2007 )  

Senator Pro Tem Don Perata addresses Members and sponsors at the Latino Legislative Caucus Luncheon.

( Jan. 31, 2007 )  

Speaker Nuñez, Assemblymember Coto and Senator Padilla enjoy the Latino Legislative Caucus Luncheon.

( Jan. 31, 2007 )  

The Latino Legislative Caucus Luncheon was a great success.

  ( Jan. 31, 2007 )  

Vice Chair Senator Cedillo gave closing comments at the Latino Legislative Caucus Luncheon.

 Latinos are now the nation’s largest minority group, accounting for 14% of the population in 2004.  A national survey revealed that nearly half of working-age Hispanics (48%) were uninsured for health care at the time of a 2005 survey. 

Further, nearly two-thirds of all working-age Latinos were uninsured for health care at some point during 2005.  Specifically, 15 million Latinos, or 62% of working-age Latinos, were without health insurance during a portion of 2005.  In comparison, 33% of African Americans of working age, and 20% of white residents of working age, were uninsured for health care at some point during 2005.  Thus, Latinos experience much lower rates of health insurance than other major racial or ethnic groups.

CLCA Elects New Leaders

The California Latino Capitol Association (CLCA) is a Sacramento based professional organization that brings California ’s legislative staff, legislative advocates, the Sacramento community and other Latino professionals throughout the state together to promote the professional development of its members.   

As a service oriented organization, CLCA has sponsored educational and internship opportunities for young people and assisted in organizing volunteers for charitable and public causes in the Sacramento area.  In addition, CLCA has coordinated social events to facilitate networking among professionals in the Capitol community. 

      Join us in welcoming our new members to the board.  Co-Chairs Nadia Leal & Edgar Zazueta, Treasurer-Josefina Ramirez, Sec. Katherine Maestas, Events Coord. Karla Mendoza, Policy Dir.-Lennies Gutierrez, Outreach Coord. Eric Guerra, and Lobbyist Liaison-Michelle Rubalcava. 

while 13% of whites were uninsured, 18% of African Americans were uninsured, and 20% of Asians were uninsured for health care. 

More than half of California ’s uninsured are Latinos (nearly 60% of all persons).  A total of 6.6 million persons are uninsured in California .  Latinos are much more likely to be employed by firms that do not offer health benefits.  A key medical service provider for Latinos in California is the system of 700 community health clinics, which annually serve 3 million patients, a majority of which are low-income and uninsured persons.  An estimated 54% of the community health clinics clients are Latino. 

This information underlines why comprehensive health care for all people in California is vital and is one of the Latino Caucus’s top priorities in 2007.

WEB ADDRESS

democrats.assembly.ca.gov/LatinoCaucus

DISTRICT OFFICE:

100 Paseo De San Antonio , Suite 319
San Jose , CA 95113
Phone: (408) 277-1220
Fax: (408) 277-1036

CAPITOL OFFICE:

State Capitol, P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento , CA 94249-0023
Phone: (916) 319-2023
Fax: (916) 319-2123

For more information, contact
Minnie Santillan at (916) 319-2023
or minnie.santillan@asm.ca.gov