SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) today issued the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement to invest $5.7 million to fund safer farming alternatives:

“In the Central Valley, we face many unique challenges compared to the rest of California. Not only do we lead the nation in agricultural production, but our most disadvantaged communities are also more likely to be impacted by public health concerns caused by poor air quality and lack of access to clean water.

On April 11, Senator Melissa Hurtado requested a onetime investment of $4.7 million for the California Immigrant Justice Fellowship program. The appropriation of funds is a direct investment in a legal fellows program that leverages the legal expertise of established service providers as a training ground for new attorneys, before they are placed with organizations in the most underserved regions in California, with ongoing mentorship and technical assistance.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senate Bill 559 (SB 559), authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), representing the 14th Senate District in California, and principal co-authored by Senator Andreas Borgeas (R-Fresno), Assemblymember Devon Mathis (R-Visalia), Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno), and Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield), today advanced through the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water by 7 - 0 vote.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) today issued the following statement on infrastructure rehabilitation needs at Corcoran State Prison:  

“As released in this year’s state budget, I applaud Governor Gavin Newsom’s commitment to invest in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s maintenance projects. However, the current state of the Central Valley’s prison and public safety infrastructure conditions demonstrate the longtime need for immediate attention.  

SACRAMENTO, CA – Under bipartisan support, Senator Melissa Hurtado’s (D-Sanger) legislation to ensure disadvantage unincorporated communities are eligible to receive implementation funding from the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) program advanced through the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Senator Melissa Hurtado’s (D-Sanger) legislative packet on expanding health services proceeded through the Senate Health Committee. The bills, SB 207, SB 260 and SB 331, will move onto the Appropriations Committee.  

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) issued the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom’s State of the State speech:

For too long, the Central Valley has been underrepresented and underappreciated - resulting in families who have experienced poverty-stricken conditions. However, today’s State of the State speech by Governor Gavin Newsom demonstrates his enthusiasm to collaborate across the state. I am beyond excited that he has highlighted our communities and recognizes that an investment in the Central Valley, is an investment for all of California.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), representing the 14th State Senate District, was assigned as Chair of the Human Services Committee for the 2019 – 2020 Legislative session. As an advocate in the Central Valley for growing opportunities in upward mobility, Senator Hurtado will guide the committee on issues including child welfare services, CalWorks, developmental disability services and more.