Curren Price takes helm of caucus
Health, education, economic development top concerns
After four years as a state legislator and at the beginning of his first full term as a state senator, Inglewood politician Curren Price was unanimously elected chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus and among his top priorities for his two-year term are first to monitor all the legislation that comes before the state government for its impact on African Americans. Then the eight-member body will place special emphasis on health, education and economic development.
“We are hopeful that the caucus can offer a package of bills around those subjects as we work to craft the types of programs and policies that impact the community in a positive way,” said the new chairman.
In addition, Price said the legislative Black caucus intends to hold town-halls around the state to give residents an opportunity to weigh-in on issues and concerns as well as the state budget.
Other goals include providing professional development for members and prospective members; offering scholarships and internships to young people interested in government and/or political careers as well as helping to insure that there is a candidate recruitment pipeline of people to run for office.
Among the challenges Price says the caucus will likely encounter are its small size.
“We are going to have to collaborate and work in conjunction with like-minded individuals,” Price said.
Another challenge, the senator identified was fighting for the limited resources available as state lawmakers begin to figure how to balance a state budget that is facing a $28 billion shortfall.
Price, who is currently a Democrat representing the Senate’s 26th District, was first elected to the state assembly to serve in the 51st District in 2006. He was re-elected to a second term in 2008.
In May 2009, Price won the right to fill an unexpired term left by Mark Ridley-Thomas, who elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
The district includes a portion of Los Angeles, Culver City, Beverlywood, Hollywood, Koreatown, Ladera Heights, Larchmont, Leimert Park, View Park and Vermont Hills.
Born and raised in Los Angeles County, Senator Price attended Morningside High School in Inglewood. He received a scholarship to Stanford University, where he obtained a Bachelors of Art in political science and then went on to study law at Santa Clara University where he graduated with a juris doctorate degree in 1976.
After earning his law degree, Price moved to Washington, D.C., and spent 10 years working the telecommunications industry.
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