To Gubernatorial Candidates: MEDA’s Community Needs Matter

by Director of Policy & Advocacy Norma P. Garcia

At last night’s “2018 Gubernatorial Candidates Forum” at UCLA, I had the opportunity to hear several candidates offer their vision for the future of our state. While MEDA does not endorse candidates for any office, we vow to stand up for the issues that impact our Latino and immigrant community.  

In 2017, MEDA served almost 7,200 clients. And their concerns are our concerns.  

To ensure our community thrives and remains culturally vibrant, we care that the people we serve …

  • Have affordable and stable housing.
  • Are workforce ready and employed.
  • Have good and responsive schools for their children.
  • Have opportunities to build and protect their assets to build economic self-sufficiency.
  • Are protected by laws and policies that allow their families to stay together and be active participants in civic life — without fear of recrimination.

The role of any California governor is to protect the future and well-being of those who reside in this state. That’s why it is vital that anyone considering this office understands what matters most to MEDA’s community. The decisions made by the person in this office can have far-reaching ramifications — for many years to come. We want to be sure that whoever assumes this office leads with intention and urgency to address our community’s issues, not only for the short term, but also for the long term.  

Through our work in policy and advocacy, MEDA and our community will be involved in making sure that our issues are front and center in the discussions that take place leading up to the Nov. 6 election. Once our new governor heads to Sacramento, MEDA will actively advocate for our community’s policy priorities, holding California’s next chief executive accountable for responding to these priorities.   

 

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