Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo and elected officials visiting homes in East Los Ángeles contaminated with lead by the EXIDE Battery Plant. August 9, 2018

SACRAMENTO, CA –  Today, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) released a report highly critical of the investigation produced by Exide Technologies relating to their role in the contamination and cleanup of the East Los Angeles area as a result of their lead-battery recycling facility. According to DTSC, which will take control of the investigation, Exide Technologies concluded that it was not responsible for the contamination of residential areas surrounding its former facility. This report is troubling, considering a University of Southern California study found lead in the teeth of children who live within the contamination zone.

“Despite Exide Technologies’ legal obligation to fully investigate its role in the contamination of the East Los Angeles and surrounding communities, they have failed to do so and the State must now intervene to provide equity to those who were harmed by this environmental disaster,” said Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles). “It is our duty and obligation as a State to protect the well-being of all Californians, therefore we must and we will continue to work to provide justice to those affected by the Exide Technologies disaster, many of them children, as well as provide safeguard measures to ensure this never happens again in the future.” 

SACRAMENTO, CA –  Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) is honored to receive the “Latinas Leading Boldly” Reproductive Justice (RJ) Leadership Award by California Latinas for Reproductive Justice (CLRJ) for her commitment to protecting women's bodily autonomy, health and well-being. 

CLRJ is leading the reproductive justice movement in uplifting the diversity of women’s experiences that are often made invisible by public narratives, and how they are changing narratives to inform policy change in California. 

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) is proud to announce the selection of family-owned restaurant, Guisados as the 51^st Assembly District’s 2019 Small Business of the Year.

“Since the opening of its original Boyle Heights location in 2010, Guisados has grown to seven restaurants in Los Angeles, with its Echo Park location in Assembly District 51 being its busiest adding to the thriving local community,” said Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo. “Guisados is a testament to the rise of Mexican gastronomy that honors passed down family recipes that celebrate culture, people and good food, all the while promoting economic sustainability and employment opportunities for local residents.”

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) is proud to announce that today the State Legislature passed the 2019 State Budget, which includes $50 Million in funding for the After School Education and Safety Program (ASES). The 2019 State Budget is now pending a signature from the Governor.

“In California, ASES-funded after school and summer programs serve more than 400,000 students at 4,200 schools each day and serve some communities with the highest levels of poverty across California. In Assembly District 51 alone, around 9,000 children are served at 89 after school programs every day,” said Assemblymember Carrillo. “Not only do these programs encourage learning, but they also provide an after school care option for working parents, many who work tireless hours to support their children yet cannot afford traditional childcare. With significant increases in costs threatening the closure of some ASES programs, the additional $50 Million will help ensure that these programs continue operating to provide essential services for our youth. For these reasons, I strongly urge the Governor to sign this year’s budget.”

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) is proud to announce the selection of Barrio Action, a youth and family center based in El Sereno, as the 51^st District’s Nonprofit of the Year.

“It is my privilege to select Barrio Action as the Nonprofit of the Year in Assembly District 51,” said Assemblymember Carrillo. “Based in El Sereno, their mission to empower our most disadvantaged youth to be successful in all aspects of life, as well as provide a safe haven to the community by providing food assistance, resources and programming is what makes our neighborhoods thrive and our residents live in dignity.”

(Sacramento, CA) - Assembly Bill 1725, Protecting After School Education & Safety Programs, by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles), was approved by the Assembly on a vote of 60-0 today.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) ​convened a press conference to highlight the importance of Assembly Bill 1764, a bill that will establish the Forced Sterilization Compensation Program to provide monetary compensation to those who were forcibly sterilized under California’s eugenics laws, as well as those sterilized without medical necessity or demonstrated informed consent while incarcerated.

“We often discuss a woman’s right to choose. A right that also includes the choice of becoming a mother. Unfortunately, that choice has been taken from many women, ​said Assemblymember Carrillo (D-51), “​As a state, we must ensure we rectify that wrong and we must do more than simply recognize the horrific impact of eugenic sterilization programs on Californian families, and the devastating consequences of this failed attempt to eradicate populations.”