61st Assembly District
Not in 61st Assembly District? Find your state's guide.
July 1st in San Diego
Ballot Drop Boxes
RETURN BALLOTS BY TUESDAY, MARCH 3RD
The Courage California Voter Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Vote in every race on your ballot! It's our right and our responsibility. Please share this guide with your friends and family.
State Assembly, 61st District
Assemblymember Jose Medina has been a resident of Riverside County for over 30 years, having received both his undergraduate degree, master's degree, and teaching credentials from UC Riverside. Medina is the incumbent and has served in this office since 2012. According to campaign materials, Medina is running for re-election to continue his efforts to provide affordable, quality higher education to California students.
During his time in the Assembly, Medina has authored a number of bills that provide financial assistance to students in need—including those with DACA status and those who are homeless. Medina currently serves as chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Medina was a teacher in the Riverside Unified School District, where he was also a member of the Riverside City Teachers Association and the state council of the California Teachers Association (CTA). Additionally, he served three terms on the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees and had previously been elected to the Jurupa Unified School District Board of Education.
Medina’s commitment to progress is reflected in the bills he’s authored surround Californian’s access to affordable, quality higher education. That said, he’s abstained from voting on some progressive bills that address climate change and corporate transparency.
Medina is running against Ali Mazarei (R). According to recent election results, Democrats usually win this seat. Though we disagree with Medina abstaining from voting on issues having to do with corporate transparency and climate change, his commitment to education supports progressive momentum and makes him the strongest choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Assemblymember Jose Medina has been a resident of Riverside County for over 30 years, having received both his undergraduate degree, master's degree, and teaching credentials from UC Riverside. Medina is the incumbent and has served in this office since 2012. According to campaign materials, Medina is running for re-election to continue his efforts to provide affordable, quality higher education to California students.
During his time in the Assembly, Medina has authored a number of bills that provide financial assistance to students in need—including those with DACA status and those who are homeless. Medina currently serves as chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Medina was a teacher in the Riverside Unified School District, where he was also a member of the Riverside City Teachers Association and the state council of the California Teachers Association (CTA). Additionally, he served three terms on the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees and had previously been elected to the Jurupa Unified School District Board of Education.
Medina’s commitment to progress is reflected in the bills he’s authored surround Californian’s access to affordable, quality higher education. That said, he’s abstained from voting on some progressive bills that address climate change and corporate transparency.
Medina is running against Ali Mazarei (R). According to recent election results, Democrats usually win this seat. Though we disagree with Medina abstaining from voting on issues having to do with corporate transparency and climate change, his commitment to education supports progressive momentum and makes him the strongest choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Assemblymember Jose Medina has been a resident of Riverside County for over 30 years, having received both his undergraduate degree, master's degree, and teaching credentials from UC Riverside. Medina is the incumbent and has served in this office since 2012. According to campaign materials, Medina is running for re-election to continue his efforts to provide affordable, quality higher education to California students.
During his time in the Assembly, Medina has authored a number of bills that provide financial assistance to students in need—including those with DACA status and those who are homeless. Medina currently serves as chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Medina was a teacher in the Riverside Unified School District, where he was also a member of the Riverside City Teachers Association and the state council of the California Teachers Association (CTA). Additionally, he served three terms on the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees and had previously been elected to the Jurupa Unified School District Board of Education.
Medina’s commitment to progress is reflected in the bills he’s authored surround Californian’s access to affordable, quality higher education. That said, he’s abstained from voting on some progressive bills that address climate change and corporate transparency.
Medina is running against Ali Mazarei (R). According to recent election results, Democrats usually win this seat. Though we disagree with Medina abstaining from voting on issues having to do with corporate transparency and climate change, his commitment to education supports progressive momentum and makes him the strongest choice in this race.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Statewide Ballot Measures
This proposition would provide $9 billion for desperately needed renovations to public preschools and grade schools throughout the state, and $6 billion for construction to community colleges, the Cal State system, and the UC system. This will allow the state of California to use tax revenue to pay for improvements that local communities cannot afford.
The funding would come from bonds the state would pay back over 35 years, totaling an estimated $26 billion, which includes $15 billion in principal and $11 billion in interest. This investment is well worth the costs. It takes money, after all, to ensure that students -- especially those in districts that can’t afford major capital improvement projects -- do not have to learn in dangerous environments.
The vast majority of Democrats in the state legislature support it, as does Gov. Newsom, and the only major opposition is a group called the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. This is the group famous for destroying California’s school funding system in 1978 through another proposition, ironically one that was also dubbed Prop 13. The group spends most of its time lobbying to reduce tax rates. It has never shown any interest in supporting California’s children, at least if that means wealthy individuals or giant corporations would pay their fair share in taxes.
Critics of the measure have pointed out that the ballot measure’s language includes a provision that frees new multi-family developments around subway stops and bus stations from school impact fees. This provision will make it easier for developers to build apartment buildings within a half-mile of public transit but could also drive up the cost of new housing and take funds away from school districts across the state. Despite this provision, the measure is still supported by most education groups in the state, who believe the overall funding allocation to schools outweighs the impact of reduced funding to school districts located near transit hubs. 2020’s Prop 13 is worth the investment since it means children will soon be able to attend school in buildings that are retrofitted to withstand earthquakes and no longer have lead in their water.
We strongly recommend a YES vote on Prop 13.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
This proposition would provide $9 billion for desperately needed renovations to public preschools and grade schools throughout the state, and $6 billion for construction to community colleges, the Cal State system, and the UC system. This will allow the state of California to use tax revenue to pay for improvements that local communities cannot afford.
The funding would come from bonds the state would pay back over 35 years, totaling an estimated $26 billion, which includes $15 billion in principal and $11 billion in interest. This investment is well worth the costs. It takes money, after all, to ensure that students -- especially those in districts that can’t afford major capital improvement projects -- do not have to learn in dangerous environments.
The vast majority of Democrats in the state legislature support it, as does Gov. Newsom, and the only major opposition is a group called the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. This is the group famous for destroying California’s school funding system in 1978 through another proposition, ironically one that was also dubbed Prop 13. The group spends most of its time lobbying to reduce tax rates. It has never shown any interest in supporting California’s children, at least if that means wealthy individuals or giant corporations would pay their fair share in taxes.
Critics of the measure have pointed out that the ballot measure’s language includes a provision that frees new multi-family developments around subway stops and bus stations from school impact fees. This provision will make it easier for developers to build apartment buildings within a half-mile of public transit but could also drive up the cost of new housing and take funds away from school districts across the state. Despite this provision, the measure is still supported by most education groups in the state, who believe the overall funding allocation to schools outweighs the impact of reduced funding to school districts located near transit hubs. 2020’s Prop 13 is worth the investment since it means children will soon be able to attend school in buildings that are retrofitted to withstand earthquakes and no longer have lead in their water.
We strongly recommend a YES vote on Prop 13.
Last updated: 2023-04-05