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(SACRAMENTO) – Today, the California Legislature passed AB 1783, legislation introduced by Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) to provide quality, dignified housing for farmworkers in California. AB 1783 will now be considered by the Governor. 

“I am proud of my colleagues in the Legislature, who have stood up for the needs of farmworkers and their families,” said Rivas. “This bill will provide the opportunity for children of farmworkers throughout the state to climb out of homelessness and move toward the California dream.”

(SALINAS) – Today, Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) responded to the mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival on Sunday, July 28, 2019.

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, the California State Senate Housing Committee passed AB 1783, legislation introduced by Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) that creates a streamlined process to build dignified, family-friendly housing for farmworkers in California. The bill passed with a vote of 7 - 3 and now heads to the Senate Governance and Finance Committee.  

“This is a humanitarian crisis, and I believe we have a moral responsibility to act,” explained Assemblymember Robert Rivas, who himself grew up in farmworker housing. “AB 1783 helps make it easier for farmers and non-profit organizations to build dignified, family-friendly housing for the workers who keep us fed and help drive our agricultural communities and state economy. I thank the members of the committee for their support and implore more Senators to step up to make this opportunity a reality for our farmworker families.”    

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, Governor Newsom signed the Golden State Teacher Grant Program into law and funded it with $89 million in the state budget. The program, proposed by Assemblymember Robert Rivas and Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell, delivers grants to aspiring teachers to help them cover the cost of the training they need to enter the classroom. Grants are targeted to teachers who commit to teach in subject areas where California is currently facing a severe shortage of teachers – primarily bilingual education, special education and STEM, and in schools that have had a particularly hard time hiring qualified educators.

“Teachers change lives and are the bedrock of our public education system,” said Assemblymember Rivas. “That’s why it’s critical we fight to support them. I authored the Golden State Teacher Grant Program to do just that and help schools bring more teachers into the classrooms where they’re needed most.”

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee approved AB 936 on a 7-1 vote. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Robert Rivas, puts key measures in place to protect California residents’ health and environment from the threat of a spill of nonfloating oil. The measure now heads to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.

“Nonfloating oil poses unique challenges in the event of a spill because unlike lighter crude, the oil can quickly sink or become suspended in the water column,” explained Rivas. “California’s current oil spill response program does not have sufficient measures in place to ensure a state-of-the-art response to these heavy crude spills — spills that become more likely as the volume of that oil increases. That’s why I introduced Assembly Bill 936, to enhance response capabilities to ensure the state is prepared for the massive clean-up effort that would be associated with a spill of nonfloating oil in a river or bay."

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) announced a boost in funding to the Monterey County Health Department, Behavioral Health Division. 

“Addressing the unmet mental health needs in our communities is of vital importance,” Rivas said. “I’m pleased to see this funding allocation, which will support two new mobile crisis support teams in our district.”

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, both houses of the state Legislature approved the 2019-20 state budget and Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) issued the following statement:

“The Legislature has passed an on-time and balanced budget that prioritizes investments in our residents’ health, education and housing. I’m proud that my first budget vote takes bold steps to help more people in our communities live the California dream. Together, with the Senate and Governor, we have crafted a budget that takes historic steps to help all Californians today, while laying the foundation for an even brighter tomorrow.”

(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) announced the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Healthy Soils Program (HSP) has awarded $422,720 to 12 projects in the 30^th Assembly District. The funding comes after the CDFA was appropriated $10 million from the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 and $5 million from the California Climate Investments by the Budget Act of 2018.  

“The Healthy Soils Program does tremendous work to support farmers and ranchers in developing environmentally friendly farming practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the health of our soil,” said Rivas. “These grants will provide an opportunity for our region to be an example of how we can adapt in the face of global warming and preserve our strong agricultural economy.”