Sacramento, California - Today, members of the California Latino Legislative Caucus conducted a press conference to announce this year’s legislative and policy priorities. Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia’s (D-Coachella) AB 1885, California Resident Worker Program and Economic Stabilization Act, ranked among the top of their 2018 agenda.

“We can no longer wait on Washington. This labor shortage has become a matter of economic urgency. AB 1885 will help ensure the workforce stability necessary to sustain our vital agricultural and service industries,” stated Garcia. “California is willing to take the lead and establish a model that can be replicated by other states whose economies are also dependent on an immigrant-fueled workforce.”

The California Resident Worker Program and Economic Stabilization Act would organize a working group to establish a model for the implementation of a resident worker permit program. The state would work with the federal government to allow all currently unauthorized workers in California’s agriculture and service industries to remain working in California until Congress enacts comprehensive immigration reform policy.

The California Latino Legislative Caucus identifies key issues affecting Latinos to develop avenues to empower the Latino Community throughout California. Since its creation 40 years ago, the Caucus has grown and cultivated a longstanding track record of legislative success.

In addition to Garcia’s economic development measure, other announced legislative priorities highlighted education, immigration/DREAMers, health care, census, housing, energy, sexual harassment, and civic engagement.

Full Press Conference: