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Thursday, May 14, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-Arleta), member of the Assembly Budget Committee, has issued the following statement on Governor Newsom’s May Revision Budget Proposal:

“California’s once prosperous revenue projection is now faced with unprecedented setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to years of fiscal responsibility established by the Legislature, we have created a cushion for emergencies such as this pandemic. Years of fiscal conservancy will prove valuable by allowing the State to mitigate significant cuts to existing programs that support our most vulnerable populations,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas. “I applaud the Governor’s leadership that is based on data and science to prioritize public health, and small business investments to restart our economy. Some areas that I will be particularly focused on as budget discussions continue include what we can do to provide relief to undocumented immigrants, ensuring communities of color are not left behind, and addressing the ongoing homelessness crisis.”

“The Governor’s budget revisions incorporate several key issues that affect California including:

  • Educational investments to run summer programs that address equity gaps that were widened during the school closures, preparation for schools to reopen in the fall, and help support working families;
  • Preserves the number of state-funded childcare slots, and expand access to childcare for first responders;
  • Maintains the newly expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, to provide financial relief to working families whose annual incomes are below $30,000, and provides $1,000 tax credit for families with children below the age of six; and
  • Increases $50 million, for a total increase of $100 million to the small business loan guarantee program in order to keep businesses operating, preserve jobs, and stimulate the economy. 

“I look forward to working with my colleagues, Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting and the Governor to develop a comprehensive multi-year state budget that will drive California’s economy forward and overcome this pandemic together,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas.  

Assemblywoman Rivas proudly represents the 39th Assembly District, which includes the City of Los Angeles communities of Arleta, Lake View Terrace, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Sun Valley, Sunland-Tujunga, Sylmar, and the City of San Fernando.

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Friday, March 27, 2020

ARLETA – Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-Arleta) issues a letter urging the Governor to include nonprofits in emergency funding measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. This letter received support from the California Association of Nonprofits’ (CalNonprofits) nearly 1,000 nonprofit organizations throughout the State, and members of the Legislature.

The State cannot address all of the public’s needs on its own. This is why California must collaborate with nonprofits to address all of the public’s various needs. Nonprofits perform a wide variety of services for the State, such as supporting the public health sector, operating educational programs, and fulfilling a multitude of community needs. At this moment, California’s nonprofits are stepping up during the COVID-19 pandemic without hesitation to provide services to their communities in order to protect public health, and support their employees.

“California’s nonprofits complete the State’s efforts to help everyone. These community-based organizations are trusted messengers that have incorporated cultural competencies and language access to reach and serve our most vulnerable communities. We depend on them to reach those the State cannot,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas. “Our State’s nonprofits have stepped up to assist Californians during this time of emergency. It is time the State steps in as a full-partner to support our nonprofits and provide them the immediate assistance they need during this COVID-19 pandemic.”

In the letter that I have sent to the Governor, I urge him issue an Executive Order to do the following:

  • All California government agencies to continue to pay on contracts and grants with nonprofits if they are underperforming due to temporary closures and suspension or reduction of services associated with COVID-19.
  • An expedited or automatic approval processes for budget modifications that must be implemented to allow nonprofits to move budget-line items associated with existing contracts to new COVID-19 related priorities, such as the cost of disinfecting facilities.
  • New and immediate emergency funds to be made available to address increased COVID-19 related costs to nonprofits to support the uninterrupted delivery of essential services that affect public health such as: increased sanitation efforts, take-out meals for the homeless, and pre-packaged food at food banks.
  • Programs aimed at assisting employers and employees, tenants and mortgagees, and utility ratepayers, etc. through the COVID-19 crisis to be made equally available and at least as beneficial to nonprofit as to for-profit entities.
  • State agencies waiving certain certification procedures, as appropriate, to let nonprofits provide COVID-19 related emergency and essential services as needed. Nonprofits affect the lives of all Californians every day.

The letter was sent to Governor Gavin Newsom; California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon; California Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins; Assemblymember Phil Ting, Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee; and Senator Holly Mitchell, Chair of the Senate Budget Committee.

Assemblywoman Rivas proudly represents the 39th Assembly District, which includes the City of Los Angeles communities of Arleta, Lake View Terrace, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Sun Valley, Sunland-Tujunga, Sylmar, and the City of San Fernando.

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CONTACT:
Judy Yee, Judy.Yee@asm.ca.gov, 916.319.2039

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Postponed - Assemblywoman Luz Rivas Hosts Free Immigration Discussion and Resource FairPostponed - Assemblywoman Luz Rivas Hosts Free Immigration Discussion and Resource Fair_Spanish

 

The Department of Public Health has made strong recommendations to cancel community events where more than 50 people are within arm’s length of one another. It is out of an abundance of caution that we will proceed to postpone the Immigration Discussion and Resource Fair to a further date. If you have any questions, please contact my office at (818) 504-3911.

 

As a reminder follow the following steps to prevent illness:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Stay home if you’re sick

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow

Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily

 

El Departamento de Salud Pública ha hecho fuertes recomendaciones para cancelar eventos comunitarios donde más de 50 personas están dentro de la longitud de los demás. Para prevenir la posibilidad de transmisión procederemos a posponer la Discusión de Inmigración y la Feria de Recursos a una fecha futura. Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con mi oficina al (818) 504-3911.

 

Como recordatorio, siga los siguientes pasos para prevenir:

Lávese las manos con agua y jabón durante al menos 20 segundos.

Evite tocarse los ojos, la nariz y la boca con las manos sucias.

Evite el contacto cercano con personas enfermas.

Quédese en casa si está enfermo.

Cúbrase la boca y la nariz con un pañuelo de papel o el interior del codo cuando tose o estornude.

Limpie y desinfecte superficies frecuentemente tocadas.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

ARLETA – Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-Arleta) issues letter to the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) Superintendent Austin Beutner asking for an end to their daily student search and frisk practices.

On June 18, 2019, as part of United Teacher of Los Angeles’ teacher strike negotiations, LAUSD passed BUL-5424.1, to impose a districtwide ban on random searches and seizures of students by July 2020. LAUSD came to the consensus that these search practices should be banned due to the harmful psychological, emotional, and social effects on these students, yet the ban was not immediately implemented.

“Schools should not feel like prisons, and students should not be treated like criminals. Students should feel safe and supported when they enter their school campus. These types of stop and frisk practices are ineffective, target students of color, promote discrimination and injustices, erodes trust between teachers and students, and students lose out on quality class time,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas. “It is time we put an end to this outdated approach, which is why I have requested that these search and frisk practices are immediately ceased in all LAUSD schools.

The University of California, Los Angeles conducted a comprehensive study on LAUSD’s mandatory metal detector search logs and concluded that these searches were frequent, not random, disproportionally targeted specific students, and far too intrusive.

Assemblywoman Rivas proudly represents the 39th Assembly District, which includes the City of Los Angeles communities of Arleta, Lake View Terrace, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Sun Valley, Sunland-Tujunga, Sylmar, and the City of San Fernando.

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CONTACT:
Judy Yee, Judy.Yee@asm.ca.gov, 916.319.2039

Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Saturday, February 22, 2020

.Assemblywoman Luz Rivas Presents Earned Income Tax Credit Workshop Assemblywoman Luz Rivas Presents Earned Income Tax Credit Workshop

 

Tax season is here. We know that taxes can be a challenge but it doesn't have to be that way. If you earn under $30k a year, you may qualify for the California Earn Income Tax Credit. This means you can claim more money this tax season. Please join me at my complimentary tax preparation workshop.

Location: PUC Inspire Charter
12550 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331

Date: Saturday, February 22, 2020

Time: 11am - 4pm

Please bring the following items:

  • Photo I.D. of you (and your spouse)
  • Social Security cards or ITINS for you, your spouse, and/or all dependents
    • Digital and photocopies are acceptable
    • For joint returns, both spouses must be present
  • All tax documents (W2, 1099, and 1098)
    • Deduction and credit information
    • Form 1095-A, 1095-B, or 1095-C when applicable
    • Last year's tax return
    • Direct Deposition Information


This is an RSVP-only event. To RSVP, please call 818-504-3911, or email, Arturo.Garcia-Mendoza@asm.ca.gov

Monday, February 3, 2020
Monday, January 27, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-Arleta) welcomes Los Angeles City Council President, Nury Martinez to the California State Capitol and honors her on the Assembly Floor. In January 2020, Martinez became the first Latina elected to be Los Angeles’ City Council President in its 170-year history. Martinez represents Council District 6, the Northeast San Fernando Valley, continues to be dedicated to serving families and individuals throughout Los Angeles. 

Martinez was born and raised by Mexican immigrants in the San Fernando Valley. She was elected to the City Council in 2013 and was the only female elected official in the City of Los Angeles at the time. Today, she is one of only two women on LA City Council and holds its highest position.

“Nury Martinez is truly a role-model. She has shattered the glass-ceiling for Latinas time-and-time again,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas. “Growing up, there were no women that looked like us in positions of power and having that representation matters. I am encouraged to know that little girls all over our state can see that through hard work and dedication any dream is within reach. Nury Martinez is the embodiment of California values, and I am proud to call her my friend.” 

“It is an honor to be recognized at the California State Legislature,” said L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez. “I thank my friends Assemblymember Luz Rivas and Senator Maria Elena Durazo for their support. As Latina legislators and as children of immigrants, I hope we inspire little girls across the state to dream big, work hard, and know that they will be next. I look forward to working with my state partners to push a families-first agenda to help working poor families, women and children throughout the state and the City of Los Angeles.”

Martinez is a fierce advocate for working families, children, environmental justice, and resolving the housing and homelessness crisis. She led the effort to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour in Los Angeles so that low-income and working-class families can make a living wage and take care of their children.  She is currently leading the effort to expand paid parental leave for all parents to bond with their new-born infants without the fear of losing their jobs. Martinez is dedicated to doing more to address homelessness, while preventing families from falling into homelessness.   

Assemblywoman Rivas proudly represents the 39th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Arleta, Lake View Terrace, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Sun Valley, Sunland-Tujunga, Sylmar, and San Fernando.

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CONTACT:
Judy Yee, Judy.Yee@asm.ca.gov, 916.319.2039

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Assemblywoman Luz Rivas Coffee and Conversation

 

Assemblywoman Luz Rivas invites you to come to enjoy free coffee and have a conversation on improving the safety and visibility of equestrian riders in our community.

Location: All Nations Church
10000 Foothill Blvd., Lake View-Terrace, CA 91342

Date: Saturday, January 25, 2020

Time: 9 AM - 11 AM

This is a RSVP event. For more information or to RSVP, please call my District Office at (818)504-3911 or email Jude.Hernandez@asm.ca.gov

 

Friday, January 17, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-Arleta) reintroduces legislation to identify California homeless students, so they can receive the resources they need to succeed. “We can’t provide homeless children assistance if we are not identifying them in the first place,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas.

Assembly Bill (AB) 1937 is a continuation of previous legislation, AB 16, which sought to establish a comprehensive policy solution to assist local communities that are struggling to identify, and provide services to homeless families with children, but was vetoed last year. AB 1937 will create three geographically located County Offices of Education to develop Regional Technical Assistance Centers, to implement best practices used for identifying and connecting homeless students to services. Additionally, this legislation will create a standardized process for identifying homeless children across all of our school systems.

Assemblywoman Luz Rivas jointly led an audit looking into local and state policies used to identify and provide support to children experiencing homelessness. The California State Auditor found California’s K-12 education system has been ineffective at identifying and providing supportive services for homeless youth. The State has identified at least 200,000 homeless children, yet 400 school districts have failed to report a single homeless child. In response to the scathing report issued by the Auditor, AB 1937 incorporates key recommendations from the audit to ensure schools administer an annual housing questionnaire to identify homeless pupils so no child is left behind.

“The math does not add up,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas. “AB 1937 will identify homeless children who are hidden in plain sight at our public schools, so the state can deliver resources more effectively. The State Auditor’s report concluded that California is not adequately meeting the federal mandate to identify homeless students. It means nothing to be the state with the 5th largest economy, if we are failing our children by continuing to allow them to slip through the cracks. One homeless child, is one too many. We need to show these kids that we care, that they matter, and that we want them to succeed.”

“Student homelessness is not an issue that will simply go away if we pretend it isn’t happening,” said Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco). “If students experiencing homelessness are not being identified, they are not getting access to the services they need to be successful. I am proud to have lead on the audit that produced many of these recommendations and look forward to partnering with Assemblymember Rivas to ensure California is adequately supporting students experiencing homelessness.”

According to UCLA’s Center for the Transformation of Schools, there are 204,085 enrolled homeless students. The top 10 counties with enrolled homeless student are, Los Angeles (53,000), San Bernardino (24,300), Orange (24,200), Riverside (16,000), San Diego (15,300), Santa Barbara (8,700), Monterey (7,000), Sacramento (6,200), Kern (3,500), and Ventura (3,500). This data proves homelessness is a statewide problem and no longer confined to just our larger cities. While UCLA has been able to identify the state and county numbers on homeless pupils, California school districts are struggling to.

Assemblywoman Rivas proudly represents the 39th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Arleta, Lake View Terrace, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Sun Valley, Sunland-Tujunga, Sylmar, and San Fernando.

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CONTACT:
Judy Yee, Judy.Yee@asm.ca.gov, 916.319.2039