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SFBAYHCC Advocacy

We exist to be a voice for authentic Hispanic economic empowerment

Unlike organizations that claim to represent our community while advancing corporate agendas, our positions come from our members. Our advocacy is holistically focused: what is good for our community is ultimately good for authentic Hispanic small businesses.

Transparent advocacy

All policy positions are developed with direct input from our member businesses.

Public accountability

Our legislative positions, funding sources and financial records are publicly available.

Community first

When business interests conflict with community wellbeing, we advocate for solutions that serve both.

No shadow lobbying

We register all legislative positions officially and stand behind them publicly.

Housing Worker rights Privacy Small business Healthcare Immigration Environment Taxation Education Regulation

Policy area 01

Housing and tenant protections

Over 68% of California's housing-insecure population is Hispanic, but the housing crisis is not solely a Hispanic issue. We cannot claim to represent Hispanic interests while defending practices that make housing unaffordable for all our families.

Our position

Small businesses thrive when our community members have stable, affordable housing. We cannot build economic prosperity on a foundation of housing insecurity.

We support

Strong regulation of algorithmic rent-pricing software that enables coordinated rent increases

Tenant protections that ensure stable housing for working families

Affordable housing development that serves actual community income levels

Fair housing enforcement that prevents discrimination

Land use reforms that increase supply without displacing existing communities

We oppose

Technology that enables rent collusion and price-fixing

Corporate landlord practices that prioritize profit maximization over housing stability

Policies that treat housing purely as an investment commodity rather than a human need

Policy area 02

Worker rights and labor protections

Hispanic workers are the backbone of California's economy, and many of our small business owners were once workers themselves. Strong worker protections and thriving small businesses are not in conflict. They are complementary.

Our position

Small businesses succeed when we treat workers fairly. The businesses that cannot survive without exploiting workers should not survive. Strong labor protections level the playing field and prevent a race to the bottom.

We support

The Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), which lets workers enforce labor laws when the state cannot

Living wage policies that enable workers to afford basic necessities

Workplace safety regulations that protect employees

Anti-wage theft enforcement

Paid sick leave and family leave policies

Worker organizing rights

We oppose

Corporate attempts to gut worker protections in the name of "small business relief"

Exploitative labor practices disguised as business necessity

Misclassification of employees as contractors to avoid responsibilities

Policy area 03

Consumer privacy and data protection

Privacy is a civil right, not a luxury. The California Consumer Privacy Act protects all families from data exploitation and predatory practices.

Our position

Consumers and small businesses both benefit from strong privacy protections. Trust in the digital economy requires safeguards, not corporate self-regulation.

We support

Strong consumer privacy protections under the CCPA

Consumer rights to know what data is collected and how it is used

The ability to opt out of data sales

Enforcement against companies that abuse consumer data

Clear, understandable privacy policies in English and Spanish

Protection from discriminatory algorithmic decision-making

We oppose

Corporate lobbying to weaken consumer privacy rights

Complexity that makes privacy rights inaccessible to everyday consumers

Data practices that exploit vulnerable communities

Policy area 04

Small business support and economic development

Authentic small business support means addressing real needs, not corporate talking points.

Our position

Small businesses need resources, knowledge and fair market access, not deregulation that primarily benefits large corporations.

We support

Targeted capital access programs for businesses with genuine barriers to traditional lending

Technical assistance for navigating regulations, not elimination of consumer protections

Procurement programs that increase contract opportunities with government and large corporations

Business development resources in Spanish and culturally appropriate formats

Mentorship and networking that connects entrepreneurs

Support for business succession planning

We oppose

Predatory lending disguised as "access to capital"

Deregulation that helps large corporations at small business expense

Programs that provide performative rather than substantive support

See our procurement programs →

Policy area 05

Healthcare access

Healthcare affordability determines whether small business owners and their employees can stay healthy and productive.

Our position

Healthcare should be a right, not dependent on employment. Small businesses should not bear the burden of the nation's healthcare system failures.

We support

Universal healthcare approaches that decouple coverage from employment

Affordable health insurance options for small business owners and employees

Community health centers that serve disadvantaged populations

Mental health parity and culturally competent care

Coverage for preventive care

Language-appropriate healthcare services

We oppose

Healthcare policies that force small businesses to choose between providing coverage and staying solvent

Systems that leave families uninsured or underinsured

Policy area 06

Immigration reform

Immigration is personal for our Bay Area community. Many of our business owners are immigrants, and not only of Hispanic or Latino origin. Nearly all of us have immigrant family members.

Our position

Immigration policy should reflect both our values as a nation of immigrants and the economic reality that immigrants are essential to California's economy.

We support

Comprehensive immigration reform with pathways to citizenship

Protections for DACA recipients and Dreamers

Keeping families together

Humane enforcement that respects due process and human dignity

Economic and cultural integration programs for new immigrants

Recognition that immigrant entrepreneurs drive economic growth

We oppose

Policies that criminalize immigration status

Workplace raids that terrorize our community

Using immigration status to exploit workers

Policy area 07

Environmental justice and climate action

Hispanic-dense communities disproportionately bear the burden of environmental pollution and climate change impacts.

Our position

A healthy environment is essential for healthy communities and sustainable businesses. We cannot build prosperity while poisoning our neighborhoods.

We support

Clean air and water regulations that protect community health

Climate action that includes workforce transition support

Environmental justice enforcement in heavily polluted areas

Green infrastructure investment in Hispanic neighborhoods

Support for small businesses transitioning to sustainable practices

Community input on development projects affecting environmental quality

We oppose

Allowing corporations to pollute while shifting costs to communities

Environmental racism in siting decisions

Weakening protections in the name of "business competitiveness"

Policy area 08

Taxation and public investment

Fair taxation funds the infrastructure and services that enable business success and community thriving.

Our position

We pay our fair share because we understand that taxes fund the schools, roads, safety and services that make California a place where businesses can succeed and families can thrive.

We support

Progressive taxation that asks more from those who benefit most from our economy

Closing corporate tax loopholes

Adequate funding for public education, infrastructure and services

Tax incentives for businesses creating quality jobs and community benefits

Transparency in economic development subsidies

We oppose

Tax policies that concentrate wealth while defunding public services

Corporate welfare disguised as economic development

Shifting the tax burden from corporations to working families

Policy area 09

Education and workforce development

Educational opportunity is the foundation of economic mobility for Bay Area families.

Our position

Small businesses need skilled workers, and families need economic mobility. Quality education serves both.

We support

Universal pre-K through community college education

Career technical education aligned with good-paying job opportunities

Bilingual education programs

Affordable pathways to four-year degrees

Adult education and retraining programs

Student debt relief

Apprenticeship programs with living wages

We oppose

Policies that make education unaffordable

Tracking systems that limit opportunities for Hispanic students

Workforce programs that train people for poverty-wage jobs

Policy area 10

Regulatory approach

Regulations exist to protect consumers, workers and communities, including from businesses that would cut corners.

We acknowledge

Some regulations are genuinely burdensome and should be reformed

Small businesses need clearer guidance and compliance assistance

One-size-fits-all rules can disadvantage smaller enterprises

Our position

Smart regulation protects consumers and honest businesses from bad actors. The answer is better regulation, not less protection.

We support

Streamlined, clear regulations with adequate phase-in periods

Technical assistance for compliance

Scaling requirements based on business size where appropriate

Strong enforcement against violators to level the playing field

We oppose

Deregulation that primarily benefits large corporations

Eliminating protections in the name of "reducing burden"

Creating a race to the bottom where the least ethical businesses have the advantage

Our north star

Does this serve the authentic interests of small businesses and the broader community?

When those interests align, which is most of the time, the answer is clear. When they diverge, we advocate for solutions that serve both, even if it is harder than taking the "business-friendly" corporate line.

That is the difference between representing a community and using a community.

Transparency in advocacy

✓Register all legislative support and opposition publicly

✓Disclose our funding sources

✓Explain our reasoning for positions

✓Welcome member input and disagreement

✓Admit when positions are difficult or involve tradeoffs

✓Never claim to speak for "the Hispanic community" where no consensus exists

If we won't put our name on an official legislative record, we won't take a position.

Tell us where we have it wrong.

We welcome input from members, community stakeholders and anyone interested in authentic economic advocacy. We will listen, consider and respond transparently. We won't always agree, but we will always explain our reasoning.

Share your view info@sfbayhcc.com