March 21, 2006

Former Assembly Member Marco Firebaugh Passes

Former Assembly Member Marco Firebaugh had battled a liver ailment during his time in the Assembly and succumbed to complications from liver disease. 

Mr. Firebaugh served on the State Allocation Board and was passionate about providing school facilities for disadvantaged students across California.

Mr. Firebaugh served six years on the State Allocation Board (“SAB”). During his tenure on the SAB, California invested more than $16 billion toward the construction and modernization of public schools making it the largest investment in public school improvements in the history of the state.

From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Firebaugh served as Chairman of the California Latino Legislative Caucus.  Under his stewardship, the Latino Caucus grew from 22 to 27 members making it the largest and most influential Caucus in the Legislature.  

Because of his effectiveness both as a policymaker and a political leader, Mr. Firebaugh was appointed Majority Floor Leader in 2002. Alongside former Speaker Herb J. Wesson, Jr., Mr. Firebaugh served as Floor Leader from 2002 to 2004 making him the highest-ranking Latino in the Assembly and one of the chief negotiators for Assembly Democrats.

He was also a Visiting Professor and Policy Fellow at the UCLA School of Medicine, Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture.  Mr. Firebaugh served in the California State Assembly from 1998 to 2004 representing the 50th Assembly District located in southeast Los Angeles County.