Speaker Robert Rivas’ effective Assembly leadership is endorsed by Dolores Huerta.
Source: The Sacramento Bee
From housing reform to immigrant protections, California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas is delivering real results for working families, just as his grandfather did for farm workers generations ago.
For decades, I’ve fought to uplift the voices of workers, immigrants and underserved communities across California. And for the past 15 years, Rivas had been a true ally in that fight.
Now, as speaker, Rivas is not just standing with us — he’s leading. As President Donald Trump and Republicans systematically target California’s economy, values and people, Rivas is fighting back.
Trump’s reckless agenda — from tax breaks for the wealthy, program cuts that harm working families and chaotic tariffs that raise the cost of doing business — is hurting communities across our state. His administration is also unleashing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into our neighborhoods, spreading fear and division.
In the face of these attacks, Rivas has been clear: California must protect its people and build a more affordable future. From day one, he has focused on lowering costs and expanding opportunities for working families.
Rivas created new Assembly committees to take on the biggest drivers of family costs, including childcare and food access. He is ensuring that our state’s climate investments actually benefit those who need them most.
But what moved me most was something he said earlier this year: “Affordable, decent housing is the civil rights struggle of our time.”
I’ve seen how affordable housing transforms lives. It means not having to choose between rent and groceries. It means kids can go to school and see a doctor when they’re sick.
Housing is about dignity. And last month, Rivas and Assembly Democrats passed landmark housing laws to speed up construction, cut red tape and lower costs — especially in the places we need housing most, like job centers and city cores.
These laws were backed by an unprecedented coalition, including labor, environmentalists, builders and local leaders. These laws will create homes faster and bring stability to working families.
Rivas is a unifying leader — much like his grandfather, who helped organize farm workers in the 1960s and ’70s to fight for their rights in the fields. Today, Rivas is carrying that legacy forward, building bridges and delivering results in Sacramento. He’s the leader we need now, someone who understands the struggles of working people because he’s lived them.
Now, with ICE agents targeting immigrants and communities of color, Rivas is leading lawmakers to fast-track new protections.
This week, the Assembly will begin to vote on bills to require ICE agents to clearly identify themselves and to keep immigration enforcement out of schools and hospitals — places that must remain safe for every child and family. The Legislature was right to set aside $50 million to defend California’s communities from Trump’s attacks.
California’s powerful and compassionate state budget was just passed by the Legislature and signed into law, despite every Assembly Republican voting against it. It provides $500 million in low-income housing tax credits, $120 million for multifamily housing, $100 million for crime victim services, historic funding for firefighters and police, a tax cut for military retirees and universal pre-kindergarten.
As Rivas recently said, “Trump is desperate to distract from the truth: His policies are failing, his tariffs have raised the cost of everything and working families are paying the price.” I couldn’t agree more.
California is being tested — and I’m proud to stand with Rivas, who leads with heart, unity and action.