Representing the 28th District

Gasoline was selling for $3.33 a gallon, Jerry Brown was attorney general, and California was bracing for a budget crisis when the state's hourly minimum wage rose to $8 in early 2008.

Fast forward to now, and much has changed: Gas is almost a dollar higher, Brown is governor, and the state is reeling from years of red ink. But the minimum wage hasn't budged a cent.

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Over the past decade, students studying at California's public colleges and universities have endured continuous fee hikes. The ever-expanding amount that our state's best and brightest must pay has made higher education an enormous financial strain and, unfortunately for some students, a dream too distant to attain.

These are no small fee increases.

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(Sacramento) – Assemblymember Luis A. Alejo (D-Salinas) has co-authored Assembly Joint Resolution 73 to urge all Californians to observe César Chávez’s birthday, March 31, as a day of public service, to recognize the hard work and self-sacrifice that farmworkers go through to feed all the families in our state, and to learn from César Chávez’s life and his mission of nonviolence, social justice and selfless service to others. Assemblymember Alejo also has a personal connection to Chavez’s work. His grandfather Tomas Alejo, Sr. was part of the first families to join the United Farm Worker movement with César Chávez in Watsonville in 1970 and was involved in the fight for farmworker’s rights throughout his life. See more of Assemblymember’s presentation of AJR 73 on the floor of the California State Assembly on this Assembly Access video.

Anai-i Aranda, a teacher and mentor of traditional indigenous culture in Watsonville, is recognized by Assemblymember Alejo  at the annual "Woman of the Year" celebration which is held at the State Capitol as part of Women’s History Month.  From left to right:  Assemblymember Luis Alejo, Assemblymember Connie Conway, Woman of the Year Anai-I Aranda, Speaker of the State Assembly John A. Pérez, Assemblymember Holly Mitchell.

(Sacramento) - The non-partisan Bureau of State Audits has released the results of its lengthy investigation into the fiscal management of Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS). The audit was conducted at the request of Assemblymember Luis A. Alejo (D-Salinas). "The State Auditor's investigation of Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital finally sheds sunlight on the egregious fiscal practices that have been the norm at the hospital for years," says Alejo. "The report reveals a systematic lack of transparency, numerous Brown Act violations, serious economic conflicts of interest related to the business decisions of board members, and the potential for felony charges." The Auditor has referred information from her investigation to the Monterey County District Attorney's Office and the Fair Political Practices Commission. Learn more in this Assembly Access Web Report.

(SACRAMENTO)— Today, the non-partisan Bureau of State Audits released the results of its investigation into the fiscal management of Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS). The report “Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System: Increased Transparency and Stronger Controls Are Necessary as It Focuses on Improving Its Financial Situation” was requested by Assemblymember Luis A. Alejo (D-Salinas) and is the culmination of nine months of intensive research into the hospital district’s operations.

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(Sacramento) – Triple digit fee increases and the struggling economy are squeezing middle class Californians out of the opportunity to get a higher education. Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) is joining Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) in an effort to make higher education affordable for middle class students and their families. The Middle Class Scholarship Act (www.middleclassscholarship.com), funded by closing a tax loophole for out-of-state corporations, will reduce the cost of attending a CSU, UC or community college by two-thirds, saving thousands of students thousands of dollars every year. Here’s more from Assemblymember Alejo in this Assembly Access Video.

(Sacramento) – Entre un triple incremento en la matrícula universitaria y una agobiante economía, la clase media de California están siendo exprimida de la oportunidad de alcanzar una educación superior. El asambleísta Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) se une al presidente de la Asamblea John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) en el esfuerzo para lograr que la educación superior sea alcanzable para los estudiantes y familias de la clase media. El presidente Pérez presentó el Acta de la Beca Escolar de la Clase Media  (www.middleclassscholarship.com). El asambleísta Alejo declaró que el programa, financiado al clausurar el subsidio tributario que solamente beneficia a las corporaciones de fuera del estado, reducirá el costo de asistir a las universidades de los sistemas de CSU, UC o colegios comunitarios en dos tercios, economizando miles de dólares a miles de estudiantes todos los años. Más comentarios del asambleísta Alejo en este video de “Assembly Access.”

(SACRAMENTO)—The California State Assembly Democratic Caucus today announced new legislation creating the Middle Class Scholarship program. Designed to cut college costs by 2/3 for middle class families, the proposal would be funded by closing a $1 billion tax loophole benefiting out-of-state corporations. Assemblymember Luis A. Alejo (D-Salinas) is a CoAuthor of the legislation.

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(SACRAMENTO)— Today, Assemblymember Luis A. Alejo (D-Salinas) introduced AB 1543 Made in the USA for public contracts.

“Last night our President asked, ‘What can you do to bring jobs back to your country?’” said Alejo.  “Each state was challenged and I’m answering the call to action.  Today, I introduced AB 1543 Made in the USA for public contracts.”

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