Gil Cedillo

Further information: Driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants in the United States

Cedillo at a forum in 2009.

Cedillo tried nine times, since 1998, to get bills passed in the California State Legislature that would allow undocumented immigrants in California to obtain driver's licenses. In 2001 and 2002 Governor Gray Davis vetoed two of Cedillo's bills that would have permitted this.^{[ citation needed ]} In the midst of the 2003 recall election, Davis backed and signed SB 60 (2003), Cedillo's driver's license bill. ^{[19] [ citation needed ]} After Davis was recalled and Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor, the state legislature, with Schwarzenegger's support, repealed the new law before it went into effect. ^[20] Senator Cedillo agreed to repeal the law he wrote under the agreement with the Governor to work on a bipartisan bill. In 2004, Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 2895, an identical bill to Senator Cedillo's SB 1160 that stalled in the legislature, saying that it did not meet his security concerns. The governor wanted a "marked license" that was identifiable. ^[21] AB 2895 was introduced to the legislature by one of Cedillo's closest allies, Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Núñez. ^[22]

In 2005, Cedillo authored SB 60, another driver's license bill. He made new modifications to the proposal, specifying that undocumented immigrants would not be able to use the driver's license for purposes of identification for boarding airplanes, opening bank accounts, registering to vote, or other rights of U.S. citizens. ^[23] Again, Schwarzenegger refused to sign the bill, on the grounds that it did not satisfy his security concerns. ^[24] After Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill, Cedillo threatened to file a lawsuit against the Governor because of his belief that the Department of Motor Vehicles misinterpreted SB 976 (1993), which first prohibited the issuance of driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants in the process of becoming legal residents, and citizens considered to have authorized presence but not legal permanent residency status, are known as people residing under the color of the law.^{[ clarification needed ]}

In 2006 and 2009 Cedillo again brought the proposal before the California legislature, failing both times. ^[25] On October 3, 2013, California Governor Brown signed AB 60, allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. ^[26] Cedillo remarked, ″It took a long time, but now it’s here. Today signifies much more than just another bill being signed by our governor. Today is history in the making because it is the day we return justice back to the people.″ ^[27]

California Dream Act

In 2011, Cedillo authored a pair of assembly bills to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain financial aid for universities through both private and public sources. The assembly bills, known as AB 130 and AB 131 for private and public financial aid respectively, became law.^{[ citation needed ]} The measures have drawn both praise and criticism from various organizations.^{[ citation needed ]} Proponents state that the bill would finally narrow the large gap in education for a US citizen and an undocumented immigrant, thus providing equality and greater opportunity. Critics claim that the measure is a waste of taxpayer money for an already cash-strapped California with tuition costs increasing and many students unable to continue their education.

AB 353

In August 2011, at nearly the same time AB 131 was passed by the Senate, AB 353 also passed.^{[ citation needed ]} The bill allows drivers without a license who are stopped at checkpoints to have a licensed driver retrieve the vehicle and thereby avoid having the vehicle impounded for 30 days.

Filed for backpay during recession

In 2010, Cedillo attempted to reverse a pay cut approved by voters in 2009 for all 120 lawmakers (Prop. 25). Cedillo filed a claim in December 2010 with the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board seeking back pay for what he maintains were illegal pay and benefit cuts. ^[28] His complaint stemmed from the 2009 decision by the California Citizens Compensation Commission to slash legislators' pay and benefits by 18 percent. The cut reduced their remuneration from US$116,208 to $95,291.

Los Angeles City Council (2013–2022)

Cedillo (center) celebrating the signing of AB60 in 2013.

Cedillo with Representative Tony Cárdenas and actor Danny Trejo in 2020.

Elections

2013

Because of term limits, Cedillo could not run for reelection to the California State Legislature in 2012. He ran for a seat on the Los Angeles City Council representing Council District 1 and was elected in 2013. ^{[29] [30]}

2017

Gil Cedillo ran for reelection in Council District 1 in Los Angeles. ^[3] As a 2016 Bernie Sanders delegate, ^[31] he was backed by Our Revolution. ^[32] His opponents were Jesse Rosas, Giovany Hernandez, and Joe Bray-Ali. ^[33] In the primary election Cedillo won 49.4 percent, missing the threshold to avoid a runoff election. Challenger Joe Bray-Ali drew 38 percent, more than any other challenger, and was able to face Cedillo in the runoff. ^[34] Cedillo defeated Bray-Ali in the runoff with over 70% of the voters in Council District 1 on May 16, 2017. ^[35]

2022

Cedillo secured an endorsement from Bernie Sanders for his 2022 reelection race. ^{[36] [37]} However, he lost to political newcomer, Eunisses Hernandez. ^[38]

Tenure

In December 2013, Cedillo authored a Los Angeles City Council resolution urging President Obama to halt most deportations and to expand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to "all immigrant families who are not engaged in criminal activity." ^[39]

In May 2017 Cedillo authored a motion requiring companies to disclose whether they were involved with the construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall promised by President Donald Trump before being able to work with the City of Los Angeles. ^[40]

2022 audio recording scandal

Main article: 2022 Los Angeles City Council scandal

In October 2022, Cedillo faced calls to resign after attending a secretly recorded meeting where fellow Council member Kevin de León, Council president Nury Martinez, and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera had made racist remarks was released anonymously on Reddit. ^[41]

References

1. Cagle, Kate [@@KateCagle] (June 18, 2022). "INBOX: Progressive challenger Eunisses Hernandez declares victory over incumbent Democrat Gil Cedillo to represent Los Angeles Council District 1. Hernandez is a local community organizer who has been instrumental in pushing the County to build alternatives to incarceration" (Tweet). Retrieved June 18, 2022– via Twitter.
2. "LA City Council censures Kevin de León, Gil Cedillo over role in racism scandal". ABC7 Los Angeles. 2022-10-26. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
3. Regardie, Jon (February 23, 2017). "Fresh Fruit With Gil Cedillo". Los Angeles Downtown News. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
4. "Gilbert Cedillo | HuffPost". www.huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
5. "Gilbert Cedillo | HuffPost". www.huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
6. Alarcon, Evelina. "Unions save hospital jobs in Los Angeles". People's Weekly World. Archived from the original on May 31, 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
7. MEYER, JOSH (1996-04-30). "Head of Largest County Workers' Union Is Fired". Los Angeles Times. ISSN   0458-3035 . Retrieved 2017-08-14.
8. "County of Los Angeles Department of Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Official Election Returns January 13, 1998 - 46th State Assembly Special Runoff". rrcc.co.la.ca.us. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
9. "County of Los Angeles Department of Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk NOVEMBER 5, 2002 - GENERAL ELECTION Final Official Election Returns". rrcc.co.la.ca.us. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
10. Archived July 24, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
11. "Twist-Tied in L.A. - Bridget Johnson - National Review Online". article.nationalreview.com. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
12. ^[ dead link ]
13. Grossman, Joshua (2009-05-06). "How to Get Elected to Congress With 11,956 Votes". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
14. "Cedillo's money is talking - Los Angeles Times". www.latimes.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
15. Cedillo for Congress PAC book
16. "California Secretary of State Statewide Special Election - Statement of Vote, May 19, 2009 Special Congressional and Senate District Election Results" (PDF).
17. "California Secretary of State General Election - November 2, 2010 State Assemblymember by District" (PDF). California Secretary of State.
18. "Kevin de León - Ballotpedia" . Retrieved 2017-08-15.
19. ^[ dead link ]
20. "Schwarzenegger scores victory in repeal of license law". CNN. December 2, 2003. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
21. "Pacific News Service > News > on Latino Minds: Schwarzenegger Can Handle Politics". Archived from the original on 2005-12-30. Retrieved 2007-10-03.
22. "NUNEZ RELENTS ON LICENSES SPEAKER SAYS HE'D ALLOW SPECIAL DESIGNATION. - Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com.
23. Cedillo. "SB 60 Senate Bill - Analysis". Leginfo.ca.gov.
24. Cedillo. "SB 60 Senate Bill - Veto". Leginfo.ca.gov.
25. "Bill List". Leginfo.ca.gov.
26. Governor, Office of the. "Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. - Newsroom". Gov.ca.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2015-11-15.
27. "Gov. Jerry Brown signs driver's license bill for undocumented immigrants". Dailynews.com. 2015-01-01. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
28. Sanders, Jim. "Cedillo's challenge to legislative pay cut is tentatively denied". The Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on 2014-05-31. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
29. McGreevy, Patrick (November 14, 2012). "Assemblyman Gil Cedillo to run for Los Angeles City Council". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
30. "Councilmember Gil Cedillo". Gilcedillo.com. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
31. "Gil Cedillo: "The Nation Has To Thank Bernie Sanders"". Link TV. 2016-07-27. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
32. Mai-Duc, Christine (2017-02-28). "The 'Bernie vote' is split in the race to replace Xavier Becerra in Congress". Hartford Courant.
33. "Municipal elections in Los Angeles, California (2017)". Ballotpedia.org.
34. Zahniser, David (17 March 2017). "L.A. City Councilman Gil Cedillo and bike activist Joe Bray-Ali looking at May 16 runoff election". LA Times. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
35. "LA City Council: Cedillo Wins Reelection, Ridriguez Heads to victory in northeast Valley". La Times. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
36. Sanders, Bernie (2021-02-21). "I'm proud to support @gilcedillo's campaign for reelection to the City Council. He knows that working people built Los Angeles, and he fights every day to make sure their voices are heard over the concerns of the wealthy and the powerful". Twitter. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
37. "Bernie endorses Gil | City vaccinations resume | Celebrity real estate". The Eastsider LA. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
38. "Election Results". results.lavote.gov. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
39. Linthicum, Kate (2013-12-18). "L.A. City Council calls on Obama to halt most deportations". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
40. "Councilman: Firms That Want To Help Build Border Wall Should Not Work For City Of L.A." CBS Los Angeles. May 11, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
41. "Editorial: Resign, Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo". Los Angeles Times. 2022-10-10. Retrieved 2022-10-11.

External links

• Cedillo's Personal Website
• Join California Gil Cedillo
• Gilbert Cedillo at Ballotpedia

Gil Cedillo
Cedillo in 2014
Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 1st district
In office July 1, 2013 –December 11, 2022

California Assembly
Preceded by Louis Caldera	Member of the California Assembly from the 46th district 1998–2002	Succeeded by Fabian Núñez
Preceded by Kevin de León	Member of the California Assembly from the 45th district 2010–2012	Succeeded by Bob Blumenfield
California Senate
Preceded by Richard Polanco	Member of the California Senate from the 22nd district 2002–2010	Succeeded by Kevin de León
Political offices
Preceded by Ed Reyes	Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 1st district 2013–present	Succeeded by Eunisses Hernandez