State Sen. Melissa Hurtado, a Sanger Democrat, said on Wednesday that she will run for re-election in her home district, pitting her against Senate colleague Anna Caballero in the June 2022 primary. "For too long, Valley families hadn’t had the kind of leadership they deserved in the Senate and flipping...
State Stalls, Fresno Co. Moves Ahead on Suicide Prevention
State Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) wants to help prevent suicide, especially among youth. So she authored SB 331, a bipartisan bill requiring each California county to develop a suicide prevention plan. Listen to this article: But, the bill was stopped in committee, frustrating Hurtado. “This year, the Assembly Appropriations Committee’s leadership...
In Fresno, Legislators Hear Solutions to Doctor Shortages
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into a law a bill that will allow illegal immigrants between the ages of 19-25 to receive Medi-Cal benefits. That will add an estimated 90,000 to the California health care rolls, at a cost of $98 million to taxpayers. Where will the doctors come...
Hurtado Announces $15M for Valley Drinking Water
Failing water systems throughout the southern San Joaquin Valley will get a $15 million boost thanks to the efforts of state Sen. Melissa Hurtado, a Sanger Democrat. “Access to clean drinking water is one of the main reasons why I chose to run for office,” Hurtado said in a news...
Newsom's Biz Adviser Visits, Earns Praise from Valley Leaders
It looks like the Central Valley is finally getting some love from the governor’s office, and the Valley business community is noticing. Lenny Mendonca, director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, met Friday morning in downtown Fresno with about 20 elected officials and leaders in the energy, agriculture...
Sen. Hurtado's First Bill Aims to Help Asthma Sufferers
Low-income Central Valley residents suffering from asthma may gain access to resources to help manage the chronic lung disease. Newly elected state Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) has introduced her first piece of legislation in Senate Bill 207, which aims to expand asthma prevention services to low-income families. The legislation is significant....
Borgeas, Hurtado Sworn-In as New State Senators
The California state Legislature was back at work, albeit for a ceremonial session. As mandated by the state Constitution, all 80 Assembly members and the 20 newly elected senators were sworn into office Monday by Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Chief Supreme Court Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, respectively. Among the senators were...
Dem Domination: California Legislature Is Many Shades of Blue
The California Legislature, controlled by Democrats for decades, is likely to become even bluer when the new class is sworn in next month. Exactly how many more Democrats have been elected is still not certain; it takes a long time to count votes in California. But all signs point toward growing Democratic caucuses...
Vidak, Poythress Concede Races, Giving Dems Supermajorities
SACRAMENTO — Democrats have won two Republican-held California state Senate seats in the Central Valley, giving the party veto-proof supermajorities in both chambers of the Legislature. Vote totals updated since Election Day made winners Monday of Melissa Hurtado and Assemblywoman Anna Caballero. Caballero defeated Republican Rob Poythress to win the...
Will Borgeas’ Election Create Domino Effect?
In less than a month, Andreas Borgeas will become the next state senator representing most of Fresno at the Capitol. At that time, he will also vacate his current position as Fresno County supervisor, creating a vacancy on the five-member board. His departure will trigger the need for a special...