Hello Neighbor,
 

I hope you are finding ways to relax; enjoy family and friends and spend time outdoors for as long as this mild weather permits! In this newsletter, I am happy to share a few legislative updates and the work done on your behalf. It is my honor to carry your voices and concerns to the State Capitol. I am proud to represent our communities.
 

Please continue to reach out to my office with your ideas. I am listening. If you need help with a state agency, my staff is prepared to assist you.
In Service,

Senator Anna Caballero
State Senator, 14^th Senate District

The legislative session is in full swing and my bills have successfully made it through the Senate and are headed to the Assembly. This year along with an aggressive legislative agenda to increase senior housing production, statewide water planning and accountability in dollars earmarked for disadvantaged students; our office has also been on the front line to bring resources to meet the needs created by two disasters: the closure of Madera Community Hospital and the flooding in Merced County.

Click HERE to learn more about my bills that have moved on the Assembly.

The Madera Community Hospital closed its doors in December 2022, affecting 160,000 residents and approximately 700 employees. Since that time, Assemblymember Soria and I have worked tirelessly to achieve a short-term solution and a long-term solution to re-open the hospital and pull it out of bankruptcy. With the help of our colleagues and Governor Newsom, we passed, and Governor signed, AB/SB 112 to create the $150 Million Distressed Hospital Loan Program from this year’s budget to provide zero-interest cash flow loans to nonprofit or public hospitals who are in extreme financial distress so they may remain in operation or can reopen.

This is not the end of the story, however. We are also working on resources from next year’s budget as well as a financing mechanism to help hospitals and clinics who struggle financially.  
 

Earlier this year I spent time visiting sites damaged by floods and talking to families who lost everything and have continued to work to ensure that we recover from this disaster. I remain impressed by the kindness and compassion of others from within our community to help one another in time of need. 

$150 million in the May revised budget earmarked for severely impacted communities like Planada and Pajaro.

I want to thank our partners for their generous donations to families in Planada:

• Lowe’s Home Improvement for providing $8,000 in gift cards to provide relief for those impacted by floods. Refrigerators, stoves, tools, boots, heaters and other supplies were purchased and we appreciate your help.
• Pepsi provided water to residents
• Walgreens provided COVID test kits
• The California Fire Foundation provided financial aid for essentials
• Community partners like The Red Cross, United Way, FEMA, and Alicia Rodriguez from St. Vincent De Paul all pitched in to help families

I also want to thank Governor Newsom for recognizing that our storm-damaged communities have a long way to go in their recovery. After speaking with community leaders about their ongoing needs, I reached out to Governor Newsom to request assistance. It is difficult to imagine the devastation suffered by families who lost everything and critically important for me to advocate on their behalf. That is why I was pleased to see the Governor include $150 million in the May revised budget earmarked for severely impacted communities like Planada and Pajaro.

June is PRIDE month! Parades, parties and celebrations will take place and flags will be raised just about everywhere, I am proud to say. Yet this can be a difficult time for many in the LGBTQIA+ community. Some struggle because they are not accepted in their home, in their community or in their place of work. This Pride Month, let us remember to save space for those who cannot yet be their authentic selves in public and be ready to embrace and welcome them when they can. Happy Pride Month!

Congratulations to all 2023 Graduates from across Senate District 14. I am proud of your hard work and perseverance. A good education is something that no one can take from you. You did it!

Felicidades to all of the 2023 graduates who attended the Fresno State Chicano/Latino Commencement celebration. It was an honor to join in your celebration ceremony.

Special recognition to Kerman City Mayor, Maria Pacheco on her graduation from Fresno City College. Mayor Pacheco received her Associates Degree in Social Work with Honors while making the Dean’s List at Fresno State. Congratulations! Team Caballero is proud of you.

Congratulations to the graduates of Parent Leadership Training Institute, Planada and Gustine.

Happy to welcome housing advocates from Faith in the Valley and Enterprise Community Partners to my Merced District Office.

Residents and elected officials were vocal advocates for a new water system. This small city was suffering and could not drink the brown water, which came from the tap. We worked with the State of California Water Board to obtain a $30 million grant for the City of San Joaquin to construct two water treatment plants to treat and remove manganese from the water, a new 750,000-Gallon water storage tank, and new water distribution lines all over the city, which will make a significant difference. This investment will improve the City’s water quality and provide residents with the clean water that they have always deserved.

Thank you Habitat for Humanity for the tremendous work you do and for inviting Team Caballero to be part of Women Build in Riverdale.
We learned to install dry wall and were honored to work alongside Gaspar, the proud future homeowner!

It was my honor to, alongside Mayor Rey Leon, welcome Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and civil rights icon, Dolores Huerta to the city of Huron last Friday. During this historic visit, Superintendent Thurmond pledged to unite and work with state, federal, private and philanthropic partners and community organizations, like the Dolores Huerta Foundation to help the city achieve their dream of a high school.
We are committed to do all that we can to create a plan that benefits our students and families.

GO Public Schools hosts a community meeting in Parlier to discuss ways to support English Language Learners.

I always look forward to celebrating Mother’s Day with the women of Latinas Unidas de Madera. This group just keeps growing and growing! Thank you for all that you do for Madera and for raising money to provide scholarships for young women to continue their education.

The Salinas High School Unified School District serves as a model across the state of California. With the creation of the Workforce Housing Program, 50 apartment units at below-market rate are available to support educators and give them access to affordable housing in the District.

Congratulations to Hollister High School for receiving one of 14 Green School Awards in California, for their new rooftop solar panels and the grand opening of the new Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation building.

Congratulations to the City of Salinas for receiving state funds to demolish and rebuild the Hebron Family Center into a NEW 70,000 ft. recreational facility for kids and families.

Team Caballero would like to wish District Representative, Vanessa Gonzalez the best of luck in her next professional journey. Vanessa has been part of the office since my time in the Assembly, and is known for her dedication and service to community members. She will be greatly missed, but we are all very proud of her many accomplishments and wish her the best of luck in this next chapter of her career. Congratulations, Vanessa!

 

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