Therefore, first and foremost, Manuel believes our budget must prioritize economic recovery, job creation, and job retention. For this reason, Manuel advocates that state government must fulfill its obligations to local governments and schools, because that is where economic development, public safety, and service delivery occur. We must maintain a safety net for our most vulnerable, meet our obligations to local governments, and continue to make critical investments in education so that the current and future workforce is prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.

Therefore, first and foremost, Manuel believes our budget must prioritize economic recovery, job creation, and job retention. For this reason, Manuel advocates that state government must fulfill its obligations to local governments and schools, because that is where economic development, public safety, and service delivery occur. We must maintain a safety net for our most vulnerable, meet our obligations to local governments, and continue to make critical investments in education so that the current and future workforce is prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.

As chair of the Assembly Jobs Committee, Manuel has sought to maximize the tools we have at the state level to promote local economic development — because that’s where job creation occurs. Improving small business access to capital, streamlining our permitting and licensing processes, and investing in infrastructure are just a few examples of how government can help the business sector succeed and grow.

A growing consensus is building that the post-recession economy will be increasingly driven by regions, lead by innovation, fueled by renewable energy, and linked through high-tech communication. Manuel, therefore, is working on legislation to help California’s business sector chart this course. This includes, for example, a regulatory reform bill that is currently working its way through the legislative process; helping our state secure federal broadband infrastructure development funds; and expediting the state environmental review process to help businesses comply with new climate change laws.

In preparing for the new economy, career technical education and workforce development are extremely relevant. Communities in the 80th District are poised to be a leader in clean tech and renewables, and we need to make sure that our people have the education and technical skills required in these fields.

Now in the Legislature, Manuel has brought that experience to bear as a member of the Assembly Committee on Health. Through legislation, he has helped to ensure access to childhood immunizations, raise awareness of the community health workers for community-based prevention, and help small disadvantaged communities compete on an equal playing field for state funds in the Safe Routes to School program. He has also worked with local law enforcement and community groups to form a task force on youth violence prevention.

Manuel has also focused his efforts on two serious environmental health issues in the 80th Assembly District: the blighted and toxic New River — which runs from the border all the way north to the Salton Sea — and the arsenic contaminated drinking wells in the East Coachella Valley. Addressing these issues not only improves health and well being of constituents, but it also spurs economic development.

Manuel currently serves on the Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review. This committee has held hearings and made recommendations to address inefficiency in state government contracting, such as related to the incarceration of California inmates out of state; automobile and other purchases by the Department of General Services; and juvenile justice spending and programs.

In addition, during his first term, he authored a bill to ensure that individuals on state boards and commissions who are paid more than $100,000 must work full time to earn that salary. He also supports legislative efforts to reform “spiking” and other abuses within the public pension systems.

As Chair of the Jobs Committee and a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Manuel has put a spotlight on the state’s poor performance when it comes to our veterans. By way of example, there are millions of federal dollars owed to California veterans. We need to more effectively identify them and link them to these federal benefits. This is money that our veterans have already earned – they just need to access it. Not only would these funds provide direct help to individual service members, but they are a stimulus to our local economies.

Manuel has both advocated for and authored legislation to improve accountability and coordination in the state’s workforce programming for veterans. He also has reached out locally to veterans groups in both Riverside and Imperial counties to hear directly from them about their specific needs in serving the many generations of veterans living in our region.