Luz Robles

Luz Robles Escamilla
Member of the Utah Senate
from the 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office
2009
Preceded by Fred J. Fife
Personal details
Political party Democratic Party
Residence Salt Lake City, Utah
Alma mater University of Utah
Occupation Banker, business consultant
Religion The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)

Luz Robles Escamilla is the Senator for the Utah State Senate's 1st District (map), defeating Republican Carlton Christensen for the seat November 4, 2008 after having beaten incumbent Sen. Fred Fife for the party nomination earlier that year.

Early Life, Education, and Career

The daughter of two Mexican college professors, Robles was born in 1977 and raised in Mexico. [1] After moving to the United States in 1996, Robles graduated from Marian Catholic High School in San Diego, CA. [2] She then earned her Bachelor of Science at the University of Utah in business marketing in 2000. [2] She also holds a Masters in Public Administration, which she earned from the University of Utah in 2005. [2] Robles is a single mother to her daughter Aileen and is engaged to longtime boyfriend and Arizona lawmaker Juan Carlos Escamilla. [2] He proposed on the senate floor during the 2014 legislative session. [3]

Robles is a director for the Zions Bank Business Resource Center. [2] She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who are often referred to as Mormons. [4]

Political career

Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. appointed Robles to the State Office of Ethnic Affairs in 2005. [5] In 2010, she received the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Pathfinder Award and the SBA Award. She has also received the Pete Suazo Memorial Award from the University of Utah. [5] Senator Robles has also served as a board member for the University of Utah College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Regence Caring Foundation, the Utah Health Policy Project, and the Primary Children's Medical Center. [6] Robles was first elected to the Utah State Senate in 2008, and was re-elected in 2012. [7] In 2014, Robles served on the Executive Appropriations Committee and the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee. [4] She also served on the following Senate standing committees:

[7]

Robles is running for Congress in Utah's 2nd congressional district. The seat is currently held by Republican incumbent Chris Stewart.[8]

2014 Sponsored Legislation

Bill Number and Title Primary Sponsor or Floor Sponsor Status of Bill
SB0016 Veterans Tuition Gap Coverage Primary Governor signed 3/28/2014
SB0063 S02 Compact for Interstate Sharing of Putative Father Registry Information Primary Senate/ filed 3/13/2014
SB0064 S01 Air Quality Rules and Penalties Primary Senate/ filed 3/13/2014
SB0066 Community Health Worker Certification Act Primary Senate/ filed 3/13/2014
SB0128 Safety Belt Amendments Primary Senate Committee Motion to Recommend Failed 1-2-2
SB0163 S01 Employee Meal Periods Primary Senate/ filed 3/13/2014
SB0265 Law Enforcement Services Account Primary Governor signed 3/31/2014
SJR009 Joint Resolution Urging Interstate Sharing of Putative Father Registry Information Primary House/ filed 3/13/2014
HB0070 S02 Forcible Entry Amendments Floor; Primary Sponsor Roberts, M. Governor signed 4/1/2014
HB0432 Wildland Fire Liability Amendments Floor; Primary Sponsor Wheatley, M. Senate/filed 3/13/2014
HJR018 S01 Joint Rules Resolution on Performance Notes Floor; Primary Sponsor Chavez-Houck, R. Senate/filed 3/13/2014

[9]

Pivotal Bills

During the 2011 Legislative Session, Robles pioneered groundbreaking immigration reform legislation, SB60, which would issue illegal immigrants already living in Utah an "accountability card,” giving them the right to work without changing their legal status. Immigrants would have to pass a criminal background check and learn English to obtain the permit. Immigration experts have hailed Robles' immigration bill and Robles herself as "ground breaking" and "creative." While her SB60 did not pass, it was a model for a guest worker program that ultimately did pass the 2011 Legislature. [10]

Robles has also proposed a bill that would protect the rights of fathers against fraudulent adoption practices. SB 63 would have allowed a compact of states to share punitive father’s records. This would help protect father’s rights if mothers took their children out of the state without the father’s knowledge. The bill was not voted on the floor before Utah’s 45 day session was completed. [11]

External links

Sources

  1. ↑ Stuart, Elizabeth (February 20, 2011). "As Utah's immigration battle brews, Sen. Luz Robles maintains her voice". Deseret News.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Robles, Luz". Utah State Senate. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Lawmaker gets engaged on Senate floor". Salt lake City, Utah: KSL News. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  4. ↑ Campbell, Monica (23 October 2012). "Romney Alienates Latino Mormons". PRI's The World. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Par Excellence Award". University of Utah. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  6. ↑ "Luz Robles Facebook". Salt lake City, Utah. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Robles, Luz". Utah State Senate. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  8. ↑ Riley Roche, Lisa (5 September 2013). "State Sen. Luz Robles challenging GOP Congressman Chris Stewart". Deseret News. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  9. ↑ "2014 General Session Legislation Luz Robles". Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Senate. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  10. ↑ "As Utah's immigration battle brews, Sen. Luz Robles maintains her voice". Salt lake City, Utah: Deseret News. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  11. ↑ "2014 General Session Legislation Luz Robles". Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Senate. Retrieved April 3, 2014.