Alberto Torrico - California Senator

Alberto Torrico was first elected to the California State Assembly in 2004, following three years on Newark’s City Council. Called a “rising voice” by the San Jose Mercury News, as a first term legislator Mr. Torrico chaired the Assembly’s Committee on Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security (PERS). In 2005, he led the fight against Governor Schwarzenegger’s ill-advised pension privatization scheme and authored four pension-reform bills, including measures to address disability fraud as well as rising and unpredictable costs of public pensions. During his first term, Mr. Torrico also served as Assistant Majority Whip, responsible for shepherding dozens of bills through the legislative process. His work paid off, as 24 of his bills

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Alberto Torrico was first elected to the California State Assembly in 2004, following three years on Newark’s City Council. Called a “rising voice” by the San Jose Mercury News, as a first term legislator Mr. Torrico chaired the Assembly’s Committee on Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security (PERS). In 2005, he led the fight against Governor Schwarzenegger’s ill-advised pension privatization scheme and authored four pension-reform bills, including measures to address disability fraud as well as rising and unpredictable costs of public pensions. During his first term, Mr. Torrico also served as Assistant Majority Whip, responsible for shepherding dozens of bills through the legislative process. His work paid off, as 24 of his bills reached the Governor’s desk, with 17 being signed into law. Among the measures signed were: AB 839 which allows non-profits to conduct popular “casino” night fundraisers; AB 1131 which protects the assets of public, community hospitals; AB 1169 which provides good tenants 60 day notice for evictions; AB 1462 which preserves $50 to $100 million in funding for local transportation projects; AB 2865 which restricts the use of pesticides in day care centers. Among Mr. Torrico’s bills that were vetoed by the Governor was AB 1873 which would have expanded California’s Baby Safe Surrender Law from 72 hours to 30 days. This measure would have prevented the abandonment and death of newborns in our state. The Governor also vetoed AB 2714 which would have prohibited the purchase of ammunition by minors over the internet.      Because of his effective and often outspoken advocacy, Assembly Member Torrico was named Legislator of the Year by the following associations: Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) California State Firefighters’ Association American Electronics Association (AEA) California Association of Independent Grocers and Convenience Stores At the end his first legislative term, Mr. Torrico was appointed to the newly created position of Director of Majority Affairs, whose responsibilities include coordination of major Democratic policy initiatives and Democratic Caucus development. Mr. Torrico was also named chair of the Governmental Organization Committee, generally recognized as one of the most powerful committees in Sacramento. Mr. Torrico’s parents are immigrants from Bolivia and his mother is of Japanese descent. In April 2006, he was elected by his peers to serve as Chair of the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. He is also an active member of the Legislative Latino Caucus, and is the first person to belong to two ethnic caucuses. Mr. Torrico and his wife Raquel, live in Newark with their 6 year old son Mateo, and 2 year old daughter Amy-Elyzabeth.                 

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