Media Contact: Michelle.Sherwood@sen.ca.gov

BAKERSFIELD, CA – Today, Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) released a statement after Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 910, a bill ratifying the gaming compact agreed to by the Tejon Indian Tribe and the State of California:

"The compact agreement with the Tejon Indian Tribe is the beginning of building something better,” said Senator Hurtado. "Kern County has a reputation as a community of leaders who come together to get things done, and that is exactly what they did to accomplish this major milestone. I appreciate the community's advocacy, and applaud the Governor for signing SB 910. This compact agreement will bring jobs and economic growth to an area in sincere need."

"On behalf of the Tejon Indian Tribe and its more than 1,200 members, we would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Governor Gavin Newsom for signing Senate bill 910. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Governor for his vision and unwavering commitment to the Tejon Tribe. Our Tribal State Compact, ratified by SB 910, marks a significant milestone in our Tribe’s history and creates an opportunity for our tribe to pursue economic security and independence.  Tribal Leadership can now focus on strengthening our tribal community through education, economic development, housing, and healthcare,” stated Chairman Octavio Escobedo III. “We would also like to acknowledge and thank Senator Melissa Hurtado, Assemblymember Rudy Salas, Senator Shannon Grove, and Assemblymember Vince Fong for their leadership and commitment to Kern County and the Tejon Tribe.”

Senate Bill 910 is the vehicle to ratify the tribal-state gaming compact between the State of California and the Tejon Indian Tribe. The proposed gaming facility, located in Kern County, will create 5,000 construction and 3,300 permanent high-wage jobs, improving local workforce opportunities.  The Tejon Indian Tribe has committed to Kern County to mitigate any impacts on the environment and to public services.

About Senator Melissa Hurtado

Senator Melissa Hurtado represents a new generation of Latina leaders, as the youngest woman ever elected to the California State Senate and as a product of immigrant parents. Senator Hurtado represents the 14th Senate District and focuses on rural community issues that often go unheard — access to clean air and water, food insecurity and poverty, inequities in environmental policies, agriculture and access to health care. In July 2020, she was appointed to the national Biden Latino Leadership Committee alongside former Labor Secretary and current Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis – the only two California Latinas on the Committee.

For more information, visit Senator Hurtado’s Website here or find her on Twitter at @Senator_Hurtado
 

###