| JOBS AND THE ECONOMY | |  | As the son of field workers, Manuel knows the struggles of working families in tough economic times. Home prices are falling, energy costs are rising, unemployment rates are up, job growth has stalled, non-profits providing key services to the public are closing, and small businesses – the drivers of our local economy – are struggling. All of these factors affect consumer spending and make it harder to balance state and local government budgets. Manuel understands that decisions underlying California’s investment, economic, and job growth will be driven by the private sector, the capacity of workers and students to acquire new skills that are marketable and fit for the future economy, and that government’s role is to aid economic development - not impede it. In the State Assembly, Manuel will work to bring more jobs to the area, enhance vocational training, expand our local economy and encourage new investments to the district.
Labor organizations and business leaders have endorsed Manuel, such as the California Labor Federation, Laborers International, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Service Employees International Union (SEIIU), Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 569, and Calexico’s Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director, Hilda Carrillo-Rivera. Executive Director, Hilda Carrillo-Rivera. | | | | | EDUCATION | |  | Manuel has an unparalleled record and experience when it comes to strengthening our schools and creating educational opportunities for our children. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of California - Riverside, a Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard Graduate School, current school board member and former teacher, Manuel has fought hard to reduce dropout rates in our local schools, while strengthening teacher and student leadership. Manuel will be a leader in the State Assembly protecting education when it comes to balancing the budget, ensuring our children have the books and supplies to learn. Manuel has already proven his leadership by spearheading the passage of a local $250 million bond for school facility improvements and new school construction.
Manuel is honored to have the endorsement of the California Teachers Association (CTA), the California Federation of Teachers (CFT), and the California School Employees Association (CSEA). | | | | | HIGHER EDUCATION | |  | Manuel’s position on higher education is guided by the notion that affordability is vital to providing access to all students who desire a postsecondary education. However, over recent decades, eroding state funding for higher education has meant more costs to students and families in the form of increased fees. Fee increases, compounded by high costs of living, particularly for middle and lower-income workers, have made paying for a college education difficult. Manuel will work to expand access to higher education through increased grants for students, investment in on line education and educational centers, and link postsecondary education to workforce development.
Manuel is proud to have the endorsement of the California Faculty Association (CFA). | | | | | HEALTHCARE | |  | With healthcare costs rising and access to quality care declining, desert cities need strong and experienced leadership in the State Assembly on healthcare issues. As Director of Community Health and Advocacy for community health clinics, Manuel has proven experience improving our healthcare system and understanding the need for high quality, affordable, and when needed, culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate health care and prevention services. Manuel is committed to serving all people so that children have access to pediatricians, mothers receive essential prenatal care, seniors obtain affordable medicine, adequate Medi-Cal and Healthy Families reimbursement rates for doctors.
Because of his strong healthcare record, Manuel has been endorsed by the California Nurses Association (CNA) and the California Medical Association (CMA). | | | | | ENVIRONMENT | |  | Manuel knows the importance of protecting our environment. Our desert landscape is home to rich bio-diversity, natural habitats, and endowed with an abundance of renewable energy resources. Manuel is committed to the restoration and revitalization of the Salton Sea, will champion efforts to mitigate and clean-up the New River, promote smart growth, green building design, and park development, while also supporting the preservation of pristine environments and protecting endangered species. Manuel will also work to advance our local green energy economy responsibly, aiding our fight against global warming, reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources and volatile energy markets, decreasing local air pollution and asthma impacts, and facilitating the creation of green collar jobs.
That’s why Manuel is endorsed by the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) and the Sierra Club. | | | | | WATER AND AGRICULTURE | |  | Even before Colorado River water was available, settlers of our great valley directed their attention to the building of water infrastructures that allowed for crop irrigation and made desert farming profitable. Manuel continues in this tradition and understands that the acquisition of sustained water resources is crucial to the economic and social development of Imperial and Riverside counties. Manuel supports comprehensive water policy that is designed to improve water reliability, enhance water conservation, secure climate-resilient water supplies, ensure that our precious water resources are managed in an equitable and sustainable fashion, and the protection of local water rights. Manuel also believes every Californian has a right to safe, affordable drinking water and that special efforts must be made to provide ready access to this basic human right to disadvantaged communities, especially those currently without safe drinking water. | | | | | VETERANS | |  | Manuel is proud to honor the sacrifices made by the brave women and men who have served heroically in the military defending our freedom. Manuel believes that military veterans warrant effective, productive, and compassionate advocacy in return for their service to our nation. Manuel supports quality mental health for our troops to combat post-traumatic disorder, depression, and reverse the rates of suicide afflicting soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Education is a fundamental value for Manuel and he will protect veteran college and work placement programs that are tailored to skills learned in the military. Manuel’s experience as a community healthcare provider also makes him an ally in the fight for the expansion of quality healthcare for our disabled veterans. Manuel knows that the responsibility of the state is to ensure sufficient resources are afforded to our brave men and women so that they return home safe and healthy to their families. | | | | | PUBLIC SAFETY | |  | Keeping our communities safe is an important priority for our Democratic candidate. Manuel will work hard to ensure our local police and firefighters are equipped with the latest technology so that they return home safely to their families after their daily service to our community. As a State Assembly member, Manuel will support policies that encourage community partnerships with local public safety agencies that strengthen neighborhood watch and youth violence prevention programs to deter gang and drug activity, and strong penalties for violent offenders, particularly those that prey on children and the elderly.
The highest ranking public safety official in Imperial County – Honorable District Attorney, Gilbert Otero – believes Manuel is the best man for the job and has endorsed his candidacy, along with Calexico’s Fire Department Chief - Pete Mercardo, President of the Probation & Corrections Peace Officers Association – Oracio Carranza, and the Border Patrol Union. | | | |
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