AFFORDABILITY
Californians can’t wait — they are struggling with the day-to-day costs of housing, energy bills, childcare and other expenses. Speaker Rivas is acting urgently, including:
- Leading the legislature in making measurable progress on affordability and quality of life issues in the 2025-2026 session.
- New laws to address the state’s critical housing shortage and bring down housing prices.
- Preventing gas price spikes by requiring oil companies to expand their fuel reserves.
- Passing laws to protect consumers from medical debt and unfair bank fees.
SAFE STREETS
Every Californian has the right to be safe at home, at work, and in their community. Speaker Rivas has led the way on critically needed public safety legislation, including:
- The strongest retail theft and property crime laws in a generation – protecting shoppers, business owners, and workers.
- A tax on gun retailers and manufacturers, raising millions of dollars for school safety and violence prevention programs.
- Steeper penalties for human trafficking of minors.
- Addressing the root causes of crime by encouraging rehab for theft due to substance abuse or poverty.
HOUSING
The cost of housing in California is unacceptably high. Speaker Rivas has championed legislation to build affordable homes and bring down costs for renters and buyers, including:
- A bipartisan housing package to streamline housing production and address homelessness.
- Speeding up building permit approvals to get more housing built fast.
- Cutting red tape on new affordable housing developments across the state.
- Making it possible for religious institutions and colleges to build affordable, multi-family homes on land they own.
CLIMATE AND NATURAL DISASTERS
California must prepare for future wildfires and natural disasters—while continuing to lead the fight against climate change. Speaker Rivas has been an outspoken advocate on these issues, including:
- Securing a $2.5 billion wildfire recovery package to rebuild Los Angeles.
- Securing legislative passage of the successful $10 billion climate resilience bond.
- Passing nation-leading rules requiring large companies to disclose their climate footprint.
- As San Benito County Supervisor, leading a successful effort to ban fracking.
MAKING GOVERNMENT WORK
California’s schools, hospitals, roads and public services should be the best in the nation. Speaker Rivas is taking action to make sure that government delivers for everyone:
- Limiting the number of bills introduced each session so the Assembly stays focused on quality-of-life and affordability issues.
- Establishing new oversight measures to ensure taxpayer’s money is being spent wisely.
- Securing legislative passage of the successful $10 billion bond for repairs and upgrades at K-12 schools and community colleges.
- Created the Golden State Teacher Grant program to support teachers in high-need areas like Special Education and STEM.
