An informal state legislative Hispanic caucus — recently launched after its two Republican co-founders said they were barred from joining the official California Latino Legislative Caucus because of their political affiliation — held the first of several roundtables it has planned this year as part of a listening tour.
The California Hispanic Legislative Caucus convened about 30 business leaders and community members at El Cholo Café in Pasadena on Monday, March 31, for a roundtable discussion focused on Latino small business owners.
Co-chair Kate Sanchez, an Assembly member from Rancho Santa Margarita, kicked off the event by stressing that the caucus is focused on economic issues important to Latino families and businesses, regardless of their political affiliations.
“I don’t care what side of the aisle you sit on,” she said. “I’m not interested in having that conversation today. I want to know how we can best be your voice and advocate in Sacramento.”
Her co-chair, Sen. Suzette Valladares of Santa Clarita, said there are four key areas the caucus wants to focus on: ensuring economic opportunities, addressing the state’s affordability crisis, supporting educational success and ensuring communities are safe.
“The California dream is set on a foundation of a good education and a good job. And for too many people, the California dream has become a nightmare,” Valladares said.
During the roundtable discussion, many participants raised concerns about the high cost of doing business in California, saying there are too many fees, taxes and regulations that small business owners face. They spoke of losing business to Texas, where there are fewer regulations.
Victoria Garcia, a San Fernando City Council member who participated in the event, said she feels for film companies but said California shouldn’t only prioritize the Hollywood industry. A hot topic in Sacramento this year is tax credits for the film and television industry.
Margita Thompson, who used to work in former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office and now works for a company that provides tablets to inmates, said there should be more support to help people who are incarcerated reintegrate back into society and to help set them up for success. This would not only lower recidivism rates but also help address community safety concerns, she said.
Others brought up the need for more educational supports, noting that a large portion of Latino students are behind grade level in math and English.
Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez, who represents parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, encouraged participants of Monday’s roundtable to stay engaged and to help legislators understand what’s happening on the ground.
Other Republican state lawmakers who attended Monday’s roundtable included Sen. Steven Choi, R-Irvine, and Assemblymember Diane Dixon, R-Newport Beach. Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher, R-East Nicolaus, and Assemblymember Heather Hadwick, R-Alturas, in town to tour Altadena’s post-wildfire cleanup, stopped by briefly as well.
This week’s roundtable was the first of a series of events the caucus has planned.
Caucus members plan to tour the California/Mexico border, hold a roundtable focused on Latino homeownership and have a policy summit in the coming months, Valladares said.