EDITORIAL - While watching TV the other day, a political advertisement came on for a lady running for a local California State Assembly seat. In that commercial, the Republican candidate said that if she were elected, there would be two things she would do. This got me thinking: Does this lady understand the unique needs of our community and the importance of local representation in our state legislature?
Nearly two years ago, the Madera Community Hospital had to shutter its services and file bankruptcy for mismanagement. No matter what plans local politicians came up with, something always prevented a solution from being realized. Even when other local medical corporations tried to take over the hospital's management, something always prevented the takeover and reopening.
Then, first-term State Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria stepped in and significantly boosted the city of Madera. She created a historic $300 million Distressed Hospital Loan Program to provide emergency funding at zero interest for hospitals like Madera’s facing closure. This crucial funding will ensure that places like Madera Community Hospital keep their doors open and residents can access the healthcare they need. Today, the hospital is conducting job fairs and is weeks from reopening its doors with a new management team, a testament to Soria's vital role in our community.
She also helped the city of Madera with their Lions Town and Country Park, ensuring they received $1.1 million in state funding to restore the fifty-year-old park to a nurturing space for recreation and community gatherings. Esmeralda has also honored our veterans' legacies, secured with AB 1350, establishing a fund for the upkeep of Capitol Park veterans' memorials. She also demanded enhanced reporting from our County Veterans Services Officers to improve transparency and accountability of services. She expanded the College Fee Waiver for the Veteran Dependents program, making education more accessible to the families who have given so much to our nation.
For public safety, Soria delivered $4 million to the City of Merced for a new state-of-the-art Fire Station and Emergency Operations Center, enhancing emergency readiness. She also secured a $3 million investment for Kerman's new Community Public Safety Center/Police Station. When the flood waters rose in Merced County because of the unprecedented winter storm in the Planada area, she pushed the state to deliver $20 million for flood recovery, safeguarding our community against future crises. Her support and involvement made these achievements possible, showing that we can make a difference in our community's safety and well-being.
As the daughter of farmworkers, she knows the economic importance of agriculture to this state. She secured $77 million for the FARMER Program, which helps Central Valley farmers replace agricultural equipment with cleaner alternatives. This funding supports air quality improvement through local air districts, ensuring a healthier environment for our communities. She also delivered $75 million for the LandFlex program, providing financial incentives to farmers for reducing groundwater pumping, helping protect drinking water supplies, and promoting sustainable farming. Esmeralda stood up for farmers by opposing harmful bills that would have added unnecessary costs, threatened sustainable livestock practices, and imposed overly rigid regulations on agricultural programs. She successfully fought to hold these bills, protecting the farm economy in the Valley.
As a former college professor, she knows the importance of housing security for students. She spearheaded a $100 million investment in the Promise Housing Project, fostering collaboration between UC Merced and Merced College to enhance educational opportunities for students who could not afford housing.
Like many of us, Esmeralda is frustrated that Valley families, farmers, and small businesses have paid more than their fair share for years while getting less from the state to address local problems. Since sworn into office in Sacramento, she has proven to be an independent voice who puts the Valley first and fights for the Valley’s fair share—delivering $675 million for housing, healthcare, public safety, education, flood protection, and more.
Born and raised in the Central Valley, the daughter of farmworkers, Esmeralda Soria, has served our community as a teacher and local council member. Despite what her opponent says on television commercials, she understands that the increased living costs here in the Valley are making it harder on everyone, and she is dedicated to improving things for the valley.
So, we need more than two things from our Assembly members, and Esmeralda has delivered on all this and more. Madera County needs a voice like Esmeralda’s in Sacramento, looking out for our interests. She has the education, experience, and ethics to put the people of her district first. I hope you will join me on November 5th, giving Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria the second term she deserves. She has been there for us, and now we need to show our support for her.
