Assembly Democrats Continue Focus on Affordability With Special Hearings on Housing and Transportation

SACRAMENTO — Assembly select committees held hearings on Wednesday, focusing on housing and transportation affordability, two of the top cost-drivers for California’s working families.

The Select Committee on Housing Finance and Affordability, co-chaired by Assemblymembers Anamarie Ávila-Farías (D-Concord) and John Harabedian (D-Pasadena), is working to unlock bold, creative financing solutions to accelerate affordable housing production. 

And the Assembly Select Committee on the Transportation Costs and Impact of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, co-chaired by Assemblymembers Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) and David Alvarez (D-San Diego), will assess whether the Low Carbon Fuel Standard still delivers for California families. 

Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) created four select committees this year to address head-on challenges and solutions regarding the most significant cost-drivers for hardworking Californians. These committee hearings will continue over the two-year session and are part of the Assembly’s ongoing work to address affordability in our state.

“We can’t afford to leave any housing solutions on the sidelines, and California’s climate policies should deliver real results for Californians,” Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas said. “I thank the members of these Select Committees for taking a hard look at how we finance affordable housing, and making sure the Low Carbon Fuel Standard program is stronger, more transparent and more equitable — so families truly benefit from the state’s clean energy investments.”

California can’t solve its housing crisis without solving how we finance housing. The Select Committee hearing on Wednesday brought together state agencies such as the California Housing Finance Agency and California Department of Housing and Community Development, as well as affordable housing advocates and private developers. Discussions focused on how affordable and market-priced housing projects are financed and the state’s role in facilitating development.

“California remains deeply entrenched in a housing affordability crisis,” said Assemblymember Ávila Farías. “We need to recalibrate housing for all Californians — and it starts with bringing policy makers, industry partners, and housing practitioners to the table. I’m grateful to Assembly Speaker Rivas for establishing this committee and I am eager to continue this critical conversation with Co-Chair Harabedian and our fellow committee members.”

“California families are being priced out of the very communities they helped build. This Select Committee will attempt to cut through the gridlock and find tangible solutions that make housing affordable and attainable again. I’m honored to serve as Co-Chair, and I’m ready to bring urgency, creativity, and accountability to this work. I want to thank Speaker Rivas for recognizing the urgency of this issue and creating a select committee to tackle it head-on.” said Assemblymember Harabedian.

The Assembly Select Committee on the Transportation Costs and Impact of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard hearing convened a variety of key stakeholders — including biofuel producers, agriculture and environmental groups, and utility companies — to examine the program’s history, policy, the volatility in credit markets and potential consumer implications.

“Our committee’s work is about making sure we fully understand the impacts of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard,” Assemblymember Wilson said. “Today’s hearing was a valuable opportunity to hear from stakeholders, producers, agriculture and environmental groups, and utility companies. I appreciate the thoughtful discussion, and I want to thank Speaker Rivas for convening these select committees and my Co-Chair, Assemblymember Alvarez, for his partnership as we continue to examine these important issues.”

“California’s climate policies should reduce pollution without driving up the cost of living,” said Assemblymember Alvarez. “This hearing is an opportunity

to review how CARB’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard is impacting consumers at the pump, whether clean fuel incentives are helping California families, and how we can strengthen this program to ensure affordability while still addressing climate change. My goal is a program that cuts emissions while keeping transportation costs affordable for families and small businesses.”

The special affordability hearings reinforce the Assembly’s commitment to addressing the top cost drivers that working families face every day. Over this two-year legislative session, Speaker Rivas will continue to prioritize affordability, ensuring California is a place where all residents can live, work and thrive. 

Read more about the Speaker’s affordability goals and accomplishments here.

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For more information, follow Speaker Robert Rivas at the following social media channels:

Instagram: @caspeakerrivas

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CASpeakerRivas/