Press Releases

SYLMAR – Today, Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-Arleta) announces the opening of a Local Assistance Center (LAC) at the Sylmar Recreation Center for residents impacted by the recent Saddle Ridge Fire.

On Thursday, October 10th, at approximately 9 p.m., an aggressive fire broke out in Sylmar, California. As of October 15, 2019, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported the fire at 8,391 acres with 45% containment. The Fire has damaged 40 single residences, 17 multiple residences, 1 nonresidential commercial property, and 3 minor structures; and destroyed 12 single residences, 5 nonresidential commercial property, and 4 minor structures.

“Since the outbreak of the Saddle Ridge Fire, my team and I have been working to connect residents with resources to ensure that no needs go unmet,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas.

The City of Los Angeles is leading the efforts to open LAC to provide local residents with recovery efforts on-site for individuals, family members, and business owners to obtain information on services and assistance needed as a result of damages to personal property. Along with city resources, the Department of Motor Vehicle, Franchise Tax Board, Contractors State License Board, and the Department of Insurance will be present at the LAC, ready to help anyone in need.

LAC Location: Sylmar Recreation Center, 13109 Borden Ave., Sylmar, CA 91342

Open to the Public: Thursday, October 17, 2019 to Saturday, October 26, 2019

Hours of Operation:

For more information, please contact my District Office at (818) 504-3911.

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

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill (AB) 1313, a measure authored by California State Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-Arleta), and sponsored by the California Attorney General Xavier Becerra was signed into law by the Governor today. AB 1313 establishes the Educational Debt Collection Practices Act which prohibits postsecondary schools from refusing to provide a transcript for a current or former student on the grounds that the student owes a debt. 

Investigations by the Department of Justice and the journalistic tenacity of the media have documented and uncovered instances of schools and colleges threatening to withhold a student’s transcript if a student owes debt or is alleged to owe a debt, sometimes only totaling five dollars.

“Thank you Governor Newsom for signing AB 1313, which gives all of our students a chance to succeed regardless of their financial situation. A recent UC Student Association study highlighted that students of color and low-income students are three times more likely to take on student loan debt than their white and wealthier peers,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas. “There are plenty of other options on the table for the collection of debt, but withholding a student’s transcript should not be one of those options. The passage of AB 1313 eliminates higher education institutions’ ability to use the predatory practice of withholding transcripts to collect student debt. California continues to put students first.”

“As our nation struggles under the weight of a $1.5 trillion student debt crisis, it is essential that we follow every road to help students succeed,” said Attorney General Becerra. “Today, with AB 1313 signed into law, California is a taking a step toward solving a chicken and egg dilemma. Students with debt can no longer be denied their transcripts – one of the most important tools students need to help address their debt. We’re proud to help protect students from unfair debt collection practices – no one should be denied opportunity simply because of their financial situation.” 

Student loan debt has exceeded $1.52 trillion, which is greater than all outstanding credit card debt in the nation. This type of debt can be difficult to overcome and withholding a student’s transcript only increases their inability to pay it off. Student transcripts are often needed to pursue internships, higher education, or career advancements. By withholding transcripts, students are put in a predicament where they are unable to advance their careers and get to a place where they can actually pay off their debt. 

“I would personally like to thank Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, AFSCME, California Community Colleges, California Faculty Association, California Teachers Association, Student Borrower Protection Center, UAW Local 5870, and UC Student-Workers Union of Davis for your strong support on AB 1313, so that we can ensure that all student have an equal opportunity to succeed,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas.

Assemblywoman Rivas proudly represents the 39^th 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

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assembly Bill (AB) 1442, authored by Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-Arleta) was approved by Senate Governance and Finance Committee. The bill is now headed to the Fiscal Senate Appropriations Committee.

AB 1442 establishes the Share Our Values Film Tax Credit which allocates $50 million per year for five years, for the relocation of film production to California from states seeking to restrict women’s reproductive rights. AB 1442 was introduced in response to a national outcry on the recent decisions by states like Georgia and Alabama seeking to outlaw abortions.

“In California, we believe women are valued and have a basic moral right to control their own body,” declared Assemblywoman Luz Rivas. “The same states that have systematically lured film productions from California are continuing their historical assaults on women’s rights. As these attacks on women take place, AB 1442 provides the film industry an opportunity to stand with women and share our values while bringing critical jobs back to the state.”

The film industry is one of California’s flagship enterprises, which generates nearly $50 billion annually for our state’s economy. According to previous studies, a $250 million investment in approved productions would generate nearly $1.9 billion of direct in-state spending, $7 million in qualified wages, $600 million in qualified vendor expenditures, and the hiring of more than 6,000 cast and 9,000 crew members.

“AB 1442 would create thousands of high quality, well-paying job opportunities and benefit California’s overall economy in the next few years,” says Alex Aguilar Jr., Business Manager for Laborers LOCAL 724. “We greatly appreciate Assemblywoman Luz Rivas for supporting women and jobs.”

“AB 1442 gives the film industry an opportunity to show they stand with women and share California’s values,” says Karen Humphrey, Public Policy Chair for the National Women’s Political Caucus of California. “Without the fundamental right of reproductive choice, women’s rights are a hollow promise—it is the underpinning of women’s equality in every part of their lives. California has long shown that it stands with women and will protect their right to make critical decisions without government interference. In the face of these attacks on women’s rights, we need to challenge any industry we can to stand with women.”

“AB 1442 brings back middle-class jobs to California. It reinforces that California values women and it helps keep children living with their parents 12 months out of the year, ensuring there are no more long separations while parents have to go to other states for work,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas.

"As a proud co-author of AB 1442, I firmly believe that a woman's right to choose is a fundamental right. To see states like Georgia and Alabama seek to outlaw abortion is both wrong and contrary to the rights afforded to women in Roe v. Wade. California has been and will always be a leader for women’s rights.  It is our duty to lead the nation and stand up to states that strive to turn back the clock on women's rights and abortion access,” said Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino), currently serving as Chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus.

“We all benefit from California’s visionary film industry, and we need to ensure California creates opportunities to partner with industries that advance California values.” Assemblymember Monique Limon (D-Santa Barbara), currently serving as Vice-Chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus.

This legislation is supported by Chair and Vice Chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus, California Teamsters, California State Council of Laborers, IBEW Local 40, ICM Partners, National Women’s Political Caucus of California, Studio Transportation Teamsters Local 399, Studio Utility Employees Local 724, OP&CMIA Local 755.

Assemblywoman Rivas proudly represents the 39^th 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