SACRAMENTO, CA –Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) announced today that she has recognized McFarland resident Margarita Ortega as the 14th Senate District Woman of the Year.

“I am honored to recognize Margarita Ortega as the 14th Senate District’s Woman of the Year,” Senator Hurtado said. “Margarita embodies the soul of the Central Valley. As an agricultural employee she has risked it all to provide food to our nation. Her volunteer work teaching classes on wellness and mental health through Zumba to other farm workers is invaluable and forever appreciated.”

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) tonight issued the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2021 State of the State Address:

“As the State Senator representing the 14th Senate District, I appreciate that the Governor recognizes the sacrifices the people of the Central Valley continue to make for all Californians. The Governor is correct — the Valley feeds the world, and climate change is impacting every aspect of our lives. We can, and must, do better — and like the Governor, I believe in the people of California. I have no doubt that when we adequately invest in people, the dream becomes reality.”

Restoring Water Supply in the Central Valley

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) issued the following statement upon the passage of the Golden State Stimulus Plan to provide support to Californians suffering through economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SACRAMENTO, CA –Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) introduced legislation today that will expand and improve the CalFresh Employment and Training (E&T) program — providing job training and employment services across California and helping workers return to employment with quality jobs.

“The pandemic has proven that poverty doesn’t discriminate,” said Senator Hurtado, chair of the Senate Human Services Committee. “SB 609 takes a proven program and expands it by creating real opportunities no matter your background or education level. CalFresh E&T is a win/win for California because participants are empowered to gain skills, training or work experience and employers that hire E&T participants earn tax credits. This bill is a key part of the agenda of the California Senate Committee on Human Services to move families out of poverty.”

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) today introduced SCR 14 to honor the lives of Captain Ramon “Ray” Figueroa and Firefighter Patrick Jones, who both perished tragically exactly a year ago today in service of the Porterville community for the Porterville Fire Department.

“Fire Captain Figueroa and Firefighter Jones were among the best of us – hardworking, selfless, and brave beyond measure,” said Senator Hurtado. “It is important we recognize these men as the heroes they are and honor their memories and sacrifice with this resolution and by serving our communities, just as they did.”

SACRAMENTO, CA – With the COVID-19 health and economic crisis demonstrating a critical hole in California’s food delivery system, Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) introduced legislation today to provide state-funded food benefits to everyone who is eligible in California – regardless of their immigration status.

“Hunger knows no border, no race and no nationality and we can unite around responding to this economic crisis by helping those who need it the most,” said Senator Hurtado, who is the Chair of the Senate Human Services Committee. “We Californians benefit from immigrants’ labor in ways we never see, so when times are tough we must extend a hand – and food – to all who need it regardless of immigration status. I know what it means to experience food insecurity, and no one deserves to go through that – especially those families who keep our Nation’s food secure.”

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) today introduced legislation to expand housing options for seniors and Californians who cannot live independently by allowing residential care facilities to use the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program to partially staff facilities that serve low-income elderly or disabled residents.