Cindy Montanez
Encyclopedia
Cindy Montañez was a Democratic Assemblywoman from California's 39th Assembly District from 2002 until 2006. Montañez stepped down in 2006 to run for the California's 20th State Senate district
. However, she lost that primary to Los Angeles City Councilman Alex Padilla
. After leaving the Assembly, Montañez was appointed to the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
. Cindy now works as a government affairs consultant for various clients.
.
Her legislative work focused on issues that were vital to her district. Specific focuses included education, the environment, health care and consumer/worker protection. During her first term, ten of her bills made it out of the legislature and were signed into law. These bills included statutes to improve the management of urban landfills, a law to protect children from a sexually abusive parent and laws to insure the safety of workers. Montanez was the author of the landmark "Car Buyer's Bill of Rights".
California's 20th State Senate district
California's 20th State Senate District is one of 40 Senate districts. It is currently represented by Democrat Alex Padilla of Los Angeles. The district encompasses a part of Los Angeles County in the San Fernando Valley, including all of San Fernando and more than a fifth of Los...
. However, she lost that primary to Los Angeles City Councilman Alex Padilla
Alex Padilla
Alejandro "Alex" Padilla is a California State Senator. He was elected as the state senator for California's 20th State Senate district in November 2006 and was inaugurated in early December. Prior to serving in the Senate he served 7½ years on the Los Angeles City Council representing the 7th...
. After leaving the Assembly, Montañez was appointed to the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is the largest municipal utility in the United States, serving over four million residents. It was founded in 1902 to supply water and electricity to residents and businesses in Los Angeles and surrounding communities...
. Cindy now works as a government affairs consultant for various clients.
Pre Assembly Life
Montañez was raised in the city of San Fernando, CA along with her five siblings by parents who were immigrants from Mexico. She attended the University of California, Los AngelesUniversity of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
.
Assembly Tenure
In February 2004, Montañez was named the chairperson of the Assembly Rules Committee. At 30 years old, she was the youngest person to ever chair the powerful committee as well as the first Latina and the first Democratic woman to chair the committee.Her legislative work focused on issues that were vital to her district. Specific focuses included education, the environment, health care and consumer/worker protection. During her first term, ten of her bills made it out of the legislature and were signed into law. These bills included statutes to improve the management of urban landfills, a law to protect children from a sexually abusive parent and laws to insure the safety of workers. Montanez was the author of the landmark "Car Buyer's Bill of Rights".