On June 30, Assemblyman Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), was sworn as the 71st speaker of the California State Assembly.
As the representative for the 29th Assembly District, which encompasses the Pajaro and Salinas valleys of the Central Coast, Rivas is the first speaker in a generation from a rural region.
A former San Benito County Supervisor from Hollister, Rivas is the grandson of a Mexican immigrant and spent his early years living in farmworker housing on the Central Coast.
He described the path to his inauguration as state Assembly Speaker as “the American Dream.”
“MBEP congratulates Assemblymember Rivas on his inauguration,” said Monterey Bay Economic Partnership President & CEO Tahra Goraya. “We look forward to continued collaboration with him on issues that impact the economic vitality and well-being of the Monterey Bay region.”
Robert Rivas
AB 588 by Speaker Rivas was the first bill signed into law on July 6 by Acting Gov. Toni Atkins, Senate president pro tempore.
The bill expands eligibility for the City of Watsonville’s appointed board member on the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency.
Existing law requires a 7-member agency board of directors, 4 elected and 3 appointed, with the 3 members appointed by the Board of Supervisors of Monterey County, the Board of Supervisors of Santa Cruz County, and the City of Watsonville, each living within the jurisdiction of the appointing power, and deriving at least 51% of their net income from the production of agricultural products.
AB 588 requires the City of Watsonville appointee to “have a primary income that involves or, if the appointee is retired, did involve, a close and continuing relationship with the Pajaro Valley agricultural industry.”
“…signing this bill into law ensures residents of Watsonville will be represented in future decisions regarding their region’s water systems. It also safeguards the Pajaro Valley agriculture community’s representation,” said Rivas.