Assemblymember Soria outlines her efforts to help Merced in Legislature | Opinion

Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria
·3 min read
California State Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria speaks during a ceremony as she presents Merced County with $3.5 million in state funding for the construction of new park in the Franklin-Beachwood community of Merced County, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.

I am proud to have authored four bills that have been signed into law by Gov. Newsom.

AB 1259 will establish an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) in the city of Merced, which will support infrastructure and economic developments projects, including advancing the city’s affordable housing goals.

I had the opportunity to work closely with Stephanie Dietz, Merced city manager, to communicate to the Legislature the importance and need of establishing an EIFD for the city. I am pleased to see this bill signed into law, as it will create long-lasting infrastructure improvements and spur economic development in the city.

As the former chair of the Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, it has been my goal to understand the needs of Central Valley veterans and apply that input to legislative actions to improve services. I am proud that several of my veteran-focused bills have passed:

▪ AB 1350, to rehabilitate, maintain and beautify Capitol Park veterans memorials

▪ AB 1566, to improve the delivery of services and benefits to veterans provided by county Veterans Service Officers

▪ AB 1745, which will expand the College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents Program to increase eligibility for spouses and children of partially disabled veterans.

These laws will greatly improve the lives of veterans and their families in the Central Valley by increasing their access to higher education and state and federal services. I am proud to have collaborated with constituents, including Karla Seijas of Merced, who identified the need for AB 1745.

Amidst a difficult California budget year, I’m thrilled to announce that I was able to secure more than $140 million in funding for communities in Assembly District 27. This funding includes $100 million for affordable housing for Merced City College and UC Merced students, $20 million for flood relief and recovery in Planada, and many other investments for new parks, community centers, police stations and more. I am pleased to see these investments go toward many rural and underserved unincorporated communities, and look forward to seeing the impact these investments will have on the quality of life for constituents.

Since being elected last November, my top legislative priority has been to help reopen Madera Community Hospital. I led the effort to create a $300 million Distressed Hospital Loan Program to provide immediate financial assistance to California hospitals that closed and are trying to reopen or are facing financial distress. Madera Community recently secured a $50 million loan through this program, and I look forward to continuing to help reopen the hospital and restore the community’s access to critical medical and emergency services.

As I move into the next legislative session, I will be continuing my newly appointed role as chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee. I am currently conducting agricultural tours across my district and across the state to learn about the most pressing labor, land, and water issues. I look forward to continuing to gather input from Central Valley constituents, and will bring their voices to the State Capitol.