john perez

Valley's Need For Medical Interpreters Could Increase With Health Law

Rebecca Plevin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:07:15 +0000

When Mailu Lor translates for a Hmong patient, she can’t just repeat the doctor’s orders, word for word. That’s because the Hmong language often doesn’t contain advanced medical terminology, or names for diseases, like diabetes.

“Hmong language is a very difficult language,” Lor said. “We don’t have any dictionary for medical terminology.”

Assembly Speaker Files Supreme Court Brief Opposing Prop 8

Ben Adler — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 02:03:57 +0000

The speaker of the California Assembly has filed a legal brief with the U.S. Supreme Court asking the justices to overturn the state’s constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage.

In his friend-of-the-court brief known as an “amicus” brief, Speaker John Pérez argues voter-approved Proposition 8 prevents him from passing bills at the State Capitol.

Speaker Pérez Wary of Overplaying Democratic Supermajorities

Joe Moore — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:40:01 +0000

California Democrats have gained a supermajority in both state legislative houses for the first time in 70 years. But as KPCC’s Julie Small reports, the Assembly Speaker says his party won’t exploit the power.

The two-thirds majority in the Assembly and Senate gives Democrats the power to raise taxes without Republican votes. They’ll also be able to expedite bills and change legislative rules. But Assembly Speaker John Perez downplays that new power.