Press Releases

(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.”

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, Assemblymember Robert Rivas named Community Bridges as the 2019 Nonprofit of the Year for the 30^th Assembly District. The organization was honored for its public service at the 2019 California Nonprofits Day Luncheon on June 5^th, 2019, at the South Lawn of the California State Capitol.

“Community Bridges makes a difference every day in the lives of many in our community,” said Rivas. “Community Bridges provides critical services and programs to help meet the needs of the diverse population in our region. Staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that some of the most vulnerable residents in our community are supported.”

Since being elected as your Assemblymember in 2018, one of my priorities has always been to recognize and fight for farmworker families.

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, the California State Assembly passed Assemblymember Robert Rivas’ (D-Hollister) AB 1623 – the Golden State Teacher Grant Program. This comes after $89 million was approved last week by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education for the program to increase the pipeline of fully credentialed teachers in subject shortage areas.

 “When you look across the State, school districts are having an incredibly difficult time recruiting fully qualified, credentialed teachers, especially in subject shortage areas like special education, bilingual education and STEM. This bill will help bring highly qualified teachers into our classrooms to ensure that our children receive the best possible education,” said Rivas.

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, the California State Assembly passed AB 1783, legislation introduced by Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) that will streamline the process to build dignified, family-friendly housing for farmworkers in California. The bill passed with bipartisan support and a 59-11 vote in the Assembly. AB 1783 will now be heard in the California State Senate.  

“California’s housing shortage has been particularly tough on farmworkers and their families,” said Rivas. “As the grandson of a farmworker, I grew up in farmworker housing myself. I know how critical it is that the farmworkers who help feed us and contribute to our state’s economy have a safe and decent place to call home. AB 1783 provides farmworkers and their children an opportunity for a better life.”

(Salinas) – Today, Assemblyman Robert Rivas denounced the Trump administration decision to open up over 725,000 acres of local land to oil drilling. Rivas went on to ask Governor Gavin Newsom to contest the unprecedented increase of oil exploration on public land. Rivas has officially requested that the Governor file a protest, since Trump’s plans are inconsistent with state and local laws.

“This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. Fighting this destructive plan is the right thing to do to protect our health and our future,” said Rivas. “This move by the President was void of research or community input. That’s why I’m calling on the Governor to use his power to review the proposal and highlight how this plan takes us backwards and how it is out of touch with the will of the people. It is entirely inconsistent with state and local law.”

(Salinas) – Assemblymember Robert Rivas issued the following statement on the Trump administration move to open 725,500 acres of public lands and mineral estate across California’s Central Coast and the Bay Area to new oil and gas drilling:

“The will of the people has been ignored. I was shocked and saddened to learn of the Trump Administration’s plan to open our local public lands to drilling.  I stand with leaders throughout the region that demand the President direct the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to continue the moratorium on leasing federal public land and mineral estate to oil companies. This move by the Trump Administration threatens the foundation of our communities - and our economy. Tourism and Agriculture drive our economy and create jobs. The natural beauty of our region is why we live here. We must stand up to protect our health, our economy, and our future.

(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) issued the following statement after Governor Gavin Newsom released his May budget revision:

“The Governor continues to strike a smart balance, advancing a bold, progressive agenda, while keeping the state’s fiscal house in order. We must take action to give more people access to the California Dream and to ensure the state can continue to make that dream accessible in good economic times and in bad. This budget takes important steps to ensure that is a reality.”

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(SACRAMENTO) – Today, Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) joined with Dolores Huerta, UFW President Teresa Romero and Senators Caballero, Durazo and Wiener to announce AB 1783, the Farmworker Housing Act of 2019.