Press Releases

Friday, May 10, 2019

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

“I applaud Governor Gavin Newsom’s efforts to uphold his promise to his ‘California for All’ state budget proposal; his commitment to tackle the state’s debt, bolster our Rainy Day Fund to safeguard the state from potential future fiscal uncertainty, without foregoing investment in the state’s most critical needs.

Due to the lack of affordable housing, constituents like mine are one paycheck away from having their families, and children become homeless. It is unfathomable to expect our homeless students to focus and perform in schools, when they do not have a place to live.  After years of an exacerbated homeless and housing crisis, the Governor has allocated $1 billion to boost the states’ effort to combat homelessness, and $1.75 billion to increase housing production. My focus remains on the state’s homeless and housing crisis.

The Governor and I can both agree that every student in California deserves to succeed. I agree with the Governor’s dedicated funding on enrollment slots for our low-income preschool students, provide resources to train and retain our K-12 classroom educators, make college affordable through free tuition to full-time students at community colleges and prevent tuition increases at our UCs and CSUs. I am also particularly pleased to see that the Governor recognized and provided funds to our computer science education and STEM programs. I believe that is a fantastic early investment opportunity to cultivate our next generation’s work force. There is still much to do, but this is a good start.

The Governor has proven himself to be a champion of working families through his relief efforts in providing more paid time off for parents to bond with their newborns, and provide tax exemptions for feminine hygiene products and diapers. 

I fully support the Governor’s action to allocate $9.6 million ongoing funds for the continuation of language access and interpreter services in the Judicial System. This eliminates barriers and provides relief for non-English speakers and English as a second language learner to have equal protection rights in the court systems.

Lastly, I commend the Governor’s efforts to tripling the state’s earned income tax credit to $1.2 billion, to eliminate additional burdens on low-income families by allowing Californians to keep what they have earned.

I look forward to continue working with the Governor, and my colleagues to carry the, ‘California for All’ momentum.” 

The Governor’s proposed budget can be found here: http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/2019-20/pdf/Revised/BudgetSummary/FullBudgetSummary.pdf

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.

###

Thursday, May 9, 2019

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-Arleta) concerned about continued costs overruns, lack of federal engagement, and Southern California’s benefits of the High Speed Rail Project’s proposed operation between Merced and Bakersfield, asked several questions to obtain greater certainty about one of the nation’s largest public works project. In Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources and Transportation, which the Assemblywoman is a member of, the California High Speed Rail Authority provided a newly redesigned rail project.

Assemblywoman Luz Rivas issued the following statement on California’s High Speed Rail Proposal: “As an engineer, I believe the state needs innovative solutions to upgrade our transportation system, while guaranteeing all Californians’ access to safe and affordable transportation. I support the Governor’s commitment to increase oversight and transparency, and applaud him for increasing accountability and stricter monitoring of how taxpayer dollars are spent. However, there are a number of ongoing challenges in the High Speed Rail Plan. These challenges include the lack of reliable funding; the continuous delay and cost of construction; possible displacement of communities and families; and the project will only operate a continuous line from Merced to Bakersfield. I believe those funds could be used to improve transit in my district and the L.A. region.  Doing so would still provide critical jobs and ultimately increase local rail ridership.

While high-speed rail is important to the Central Valley, in my district, it doesn’t solve the day-to-day transportation issues that my constituents face. The 39th Assembly District is currently proposed as the “preferred route” for the High Speed Rail project through the San Fernando Valley. While this project will be built through a largely disadvantaged community, there are no places for my constituents to get on the train; neither do I think many of them could afford the price of the tickets to ride the train, even if there were a stop.”

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.

###

Friday, April 12, 2019

SACRAMENTO - California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Assemblymember Luz Rivas (D-Arleta) have announced that their sponsored bill, Assembly Bill 1313, passed the Committee on Higher Education. The bill prohibits postsecondary schools from withholding transcripts from students who owe the schools a debt. The bill, which ensures that students are not handcuffed in pursuing educational and career opportunities by the practices of certain schools and colleges, will now be heard by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Audit will investigate why over one-quarter of California schools report having zero homeless students enrolled despite high rates of homelessness across the state


Sacramento, CA--Assemblymembers David Chiu (D-San Francisco) and Luz Rivas (D-Arleta) announced today they are requesting an audit of local school districts to examine why student homelessness may be going unreported or underreported throughout California. The audit will analyze why over one-quarter of California schools report that they have no homeless students enrolled and as a result, are not providing any state- or federally-mandated services to students experiencing homelessness.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D- Arleta) has issued the following statement:

“I have seen firsthand how much teachers do without all of the resources they need to serve their students. As an LAUSD alum and member of the State Assembly, I support LA teachers and hope that negotiations between United Teachers Los Angeles and the school district continue and result in a solution that is responsible and in the best interest of our kids.”

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

(SACRAMENTO) – Asambleista Luz Rivas (D-Arleta) expreso lo proximo:

“He visto de primera mano cuánto hacen los maestros para atender a sus estudiantes sin los recursos necesitados. Como estudiante graduada de LAUSD y miembro de la Asamblea Estatal, apoyo a los maestros de Los Angeles y espero que las negociaciones entre United Teachers Los Angeles y el distrito escolar continúen y den como resultado una solución responsable y en el mejor interés para nuestros niños."

Friday, January 11, 2019

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

“It is exciting to see that the Governor is being fiscally responsible by paying down debt and investing in our state’s Rainy Day Fund, yet willing to invest in critical programs that will undoubtedly benefit all Californians. The Governor has proposed a well thought out budget that seeks to address a number of key issues by: