State Assemblymember V. Manuel Perez was elected in 2008 and represents the 80th Assembly District, which comprises all of Imperial County and eastern Riverside County.

As chair of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Manuel's top priority is economic recovery. Manuel understands that our state budget problems won't be fixed until businesses are able to do what they do best: put people to work. He is using the tools available in state government to support local economic development, because that's where job creation occurs.

Importantly, Manuel recognizes the promise of the emerging clean-tech economy, particularly for the 80th Assembly District, and he is working hard to make sure our communities don't miss out. For this reason he is a strong advocate for investments in education and workforce development, so that our communities are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.

Legislative Committees
In addition to serving as the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy, Manuel is also a member of the following Assembly Committees: Accountability & Administrative Review; Aging & Long-term Care; Governmental Organization; Health; and Veterans Affairs.

Manuel is on a number of Select Committees that focus on specific issues of concern. His Select Committee positions are in the areas of Career Technical Education & Workforce Development; Domestic Violence; Healthcare Workforce Access; Inland Empire Transportation; Renewable Energy; and Youth Violence Prevention.

In 2010, he was appointed to the Joint Select Committee to Evaluate the State's Master Plan for Higher Education.

Before the Assembly
Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Manuel served as a member of the Coachella Valley Unified School District Board. In that capacity, he helped to secure $250 million in funding that created good jobs in the Valley and modernized classrooms. He also pushed to raise expectations for students, emphasizing academic achievement as well as character building and life skills in the classroom.

As a community healthcare director for the Borrego Community Healthcare Foundation, Manuel worked to provide healthcare for children, improve the screening and treatment of diabetes, and ensure moms have access to prenatal care and that seniors get the medicine they need.

A lifelong resident of the 80th District, Manuel was born in Indio and raised in Coachella and Imperial County. He grew up in a close-knit family that taught him the value of hard work, determination, respect, and service to others. He also learned that a good education can pave the path to success.

Manuel attended public schools and graduated from U.C. Riverside. He was a school teacher before earning a Master's degree in Education from Harvard University. Manuel and his wife, Gladis, currently live in Coachella, where their sons attend public schools.