Maria C. Garcia assists clients with legislative matters at the California State Capitol, including monitoring legislation, meeting with both elected officials and staff, and attending and testifying at committee hearings. She has worked for the California Legislature for almost a decade, serving members of the majority party in both the Senate and Assembly.
In addition, Maria was the Principal Consultant to the Assembly Committee on Elections and Redistricting, where she worked on issues relating to the Political Reform Act and initiative reform. She also served the Committee during the implementation of the top-two primary and the 2010 redistricting process - in which new lines were drawn for the House of Representatives, Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization Districts by the recently created Citizens Redistricting Commission.
Drawing on her experiences as Legislative Director and Principal Consultant, Maria has developed a keen ability to navigate the legislative process. She brought together various stakeholders to enact beneficial legislation, or defeat legislation viewed as detrimental. Maria's strong abilities to analyze and monitor legislation, draft amendments, negotiate compromises, and build coalitions were instrumental in passing hundreds of bills through the Legislature and onto the Governor's desk. She has chaptered an average of 8 new laws per year while working at the capitol.
While Maria has had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of issues during her tenure with the California Legislature, she has held primary responsibilities in housing-related matters, allowing her to create positive relationships with the building industry, tenant advocates and business property owners. In addition, Maria has worked collaboratively with both business and labor on issues relating to worker's rights and independent contractor status. She gained both invaluable experience and relationships while working closely with majority party consultants as Legislative Director for members of the Transportation and Economic Development committees. Maria's experience also includes matters relating to alcohol regulations, Native American gaming, and professional scope of practice and licensing. She has worked with representatives in several other issue areas ranging from local government to public safety.
Professional & Community Involvement
• Member, Capitol Network
• Member, Institute of Government Advocates
• Member, Latino Capitol Association
• Member, United States Tennis Association, Nor Cal Chapter
• Volunteer Coach, Southgate Park and Recreation District
Professional Experience
Noteworthy Experience
• Created regulatory reform in the Buildings Standards Commission to ensure cost transparency.
• Protected local businesses in represented area from losing important financial incentives by advocating for changes to legislation that overhauled the California Enterprise Zones program.
• Collaborated with providers, hospitals and patient advocates on health care issues relating to provider reimbursement and emergency medical services.
The above matters were handled by Ms. Garcia prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Previous Experience
• Legislative Director, Senator/Assemblyman Ben Hueso, August 2011-January 2013
• Principal Consultant, California State Assembly, Committee on Elections & Redistricting, September 2010-August 2011
• Legislative Director, Assemblyman Paul Fong, January 2009-September 2010
• Capitol Director, Assemblywoman Mary Salas, September 2007-January 2009
• Legislative Aide/Scheduler, Assemblyman Pedro Nava, November 2004-September 2007
Other Experience
• Campaign Staffer, Alyson Huber and Joan Buchanan for Assembly, 2010
• Staff, Obama for America, Non-English Speaker Voter Outreach, 2008 and 2010
• Staff, Voter Registration Drives in Central California, 2008 and 2010
• Field Director, Pedro Nava for Assembly, 2006
• Campaign Staffer, Ted Lieu for Assembly, 2005
