CRLA Latest News
Labor
From the fields to the State Capitol – Michael Marsh, Salinas Migrant Directing Attorney, writes about two important days in Sacramento where our staff and clients educated lawmakers and effected positive change.
CRLA effectively creates systemic change with a combination of legal experience and the very real, day-to-day experiences of our clients. The result is a partnership both informing the legislative and regulatory actions that CRLA urges, and monitoring the enforcement of any new legislative or regulatory action. A great example is SB666 currently moving forward in the California legislature.
Education
CRLA Educates California lawmakers about important education issues – Cynthia Rice describes a moving and productive day in Sacramento at the State Capital.
May 3, 2013: It was a great week for CRLA clients and their communities. California state legislators were presented with the on the ground perspective of life in rural California for students. As a result, legislators took steps toward improving education laws by passing SB 744 and AB 275 out of committee. CRLA staff, clients and advisory committee members were invited to Sacramento at the written request of state legislators. Our input was critical to this success.
Health care hard to come by for transgender people
Growing up in the farming community of Salinas, McDaniel, a transgender man, survived sexual assault and years of severe depression, multiple attempts at suicide, and many months spent in county psychiatric wards.
Life may have improved in places like Monterey County for transgender people, McDaniel said, but there’s still a long way to go – from fighting discrimination in jobs and housing, to making inroads in health care.
Farmworkers’ Endless Worry: Tainted Tap Water
Like most children, the students at Stone Corral Elementary School here rejoice when the bell rings for recess and delight in christening a classroom pet.
But while growing up in this impoverished agricultural community of numbered roads and lush citrus orchards, young people have learned a harsh life lesson: "No tomes el agua!" — "Don’t drink the water!"
Health Advocacy
