Dear Friends,
Quarter 2 (April—June) is in the books and our accomplishments continue to grow! We participated in the Ribbon Cutting of the Madera Community Hospital, celebrating the achievement of reopening our community hospital after it closed two years ago. We also have reason to celebrate our 2025 Legislation Package as nine of my bills have passed in the Assembly and now make their way through the Senate!
Quarter 2 has brought so much news to celebrate and that’s the reason for our community newsletter! So enjoy and celebrate with me our accomplishments from April through June. Details below!
Madera Community Hospital Ribbon Cutting and Community Celebration
In 2022, when it was announced that the Madera Community Hospital would be closing, it was felt throughout our district. Instead of letting this hospital close and focusing on other issues, we leaned in and spearheaded efforts to save the hospital. With the help of our State Senator, Anna Caballero, I was the proud author of AB 112. This bill, which is now law, created $300 million for the Distressed Hospital Loan Program, which will now go to closed and financially struggling hospitals across the state. Over $50 million of those dollars went to the reopening of our Madera Community Hospital. The ribbon cutting signified the last celebration and final victory for the entire Madera community.
Assemblywoman Soria’s Response to CA ICE Raids
As a daughter of immigrant farmworkers and as the Assembly’s Agriculture Chair, I was proud to join Speaker Robert Rivas and others to host a critical webinar on the ICE raids occurring across California. We showed our guests, community leaders, and stakeholders how our communities can stay informed, prepared, and safe.
The webinar featured a seasoned Immigration Attorney at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC). We focused on what to do if ICE attempts to enter a place of business, worship, or a school. I strongly encourage educational institutions, service providers, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to inform those they can of their rights.
This issue is personal to me. Like many of our families in this Valley, my parents came to this country without documents, but chose to work hard with the hopes of having a better life for themselves and their children. They wanted to achieve the American dream. That is why I stood in solidarity with my fellow Latinos/Latinas at the Latino Caucus emergency press conference to call for an end to these raids.
California is home to millions of immigrants who work tirelessly to build better lives for their families and contribute to our economy. In the Central Valley, our immigrant communities are the backbone of our agricultural industry and local businesses.
They deserve respect, dignity, opportunity, and protection. I will continue to fight for policies that support hard-working immigrant families, provide pathways to success, and ensure that no one in our state lives in fear solely because of their legal status.
It is also important to know that I am co-authoring legislation that will demand that the United States Congress implement immediate and comprehensive immigration reform.
The fact is, we have an outdated and broken immigration system; I can’t fix that, but I can continue to advocate for it to get fixed. WE NEED COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM. That is why I was proud to participate in this Latino Caucus Press Conference, and I’m proud to author a joint resolution soon urging Congress to make it a priority.
Please read more and KNOW YOUR RIGHTS on our new Immigration Resources web page.
Statement on the Passing of the 2025-26 California State Budget
$1 Million Dollars to Colorado Ballpark in Los Banos
This quarter, my office and I celebrated a major milestone for our community — a $1 million grant to the City of Los Banos for upcoming renovations and ADA improvements at Colorado Ballpark, thanks to the strong work we did to secure these state funds for our city!
Originally built in 1959, Colorado Ballpark has long served as the home of Los Banos Little League and our city’s only skate park. This funding jumpstarts a larger vision for revitalizing the space for future generations. We’re proud of what’s ahead — and we can’t wait to bring this project to life!
Celebrating the Success of this Year’s Spring Resource Fairs
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Spring Community Health & Resource Fairs in District 27 were a hit this year! I’m so proud to always host these events and participate with our stakeholders. More importantly, my staff always delivers when it comes to community events as important as these! They rock and are there to serve you! Our Spring Resource Fairs continue to serve the community by providing free health screenings, resources, and so many other services we provide for all those in our communities across the valley.
Welcoming 3X World Champs, the MadTown Madera Robotics Team, to Sacramento
Madera Unified School District’s MadTown Robotics - FRC Team 1323 has put Madera on the map! I had the honor of introducing them on the Assembly Floor in May and we recognized them for their world-renowned skills and innovation for robotics and STEM education!
For those who may not know, FIRST Championship (or FRC) is a culminating, international event for youth robotics competitions, recognizing innovations in science, technology, engineering, and math or “STEM”. Founded in 2004, by math teacher Alan Hollman at Madera High School, MadTown Robotics began with just four students and a wooden robot built in a classroom. Today, it has grown into a complete powerhouse in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), now representing four Madera Unified high schools: Madera High, Madera South, Matilda Torres, and Sherman Thomas Charter School.
Recognizing the Young Legislator Program Graduate Class of 2025
The Young Legislators Program (YLP) allows high school students from all over my district in Madera, Merced, and Fresno Counties to receive first-hand experience about critically important topics and issues facing our communities in the Central Valley—ranging from Agriculture, Healthcare, Public Safety, Housing Policy, and more.
The program offers opportunities for young students in the valley who might not otherwise receive on-the-ground experience about the legislative process.
Congratulations class of 2025 and good luck on your future endeavors!
Celebrating the 2025 Legislation Package (9 bills are now in the Senate)
My office and I are thrilled to announce that nine of our bills have successfully passed the Assembly and are now in the Senate!
These bills tackle a multitude of issues in our district and across our state! From protecting patients' safety in hospitals to securing more farmworker housing throughout the valley. The work we’ve done together has made this possible. I also have a bill that would make it possible for aspiring nurses to obtain their BSN degree from participating community colleges throughout the state!
I remain committed to improving the quality of life for my constituents. Together, we will create a more equitable and sustainable California! Adelante! #caleg #teamsoria #legislationupdate
Assemblywoman Soria Celebrates Major Housing Awards for District 27
This is a huge win for the City of Merced! Over $11 million awarded to the city from the California Department of Housing & Community Development's Homekey Program!
Homekey is an opportunity for state, regional, and local public entities to develop a broad range of housing types. The City of Merced plans to build more affordable housing with these Homekey funds.
Another housing win for our District as $428,191 have been awarded to Madera County from the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) program!
The PLHA program provides financial assistance made available through the passage of SB 2 (Chapter 364, Statutes of 2017) and allocates 70 percent of the ongoing revenue deposited in the Building Homes and Jobs Trust Fund directly to local governments.
Twenty percent of the funding in the Building Homes and Jobs Trust Fund is allocated for affordable owner-occupied workforce housing, and the program prioritizes investments that increase the supply of housing to households that are at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income.
Announcing another huge win for our community and for District 27! We can now publicly announce the 2024 Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) for the communities of Firebaugh and San Joaquin!
- Over $3 million has been awarded to the City of Firebaugh for the Maldonado Park Expansion Project!
- $300,000 has been awarded to Firebaugh for the Firebaugh Hot Meal/Food Distribution Program.
- $300,000 has been awarded to the city of San Joaquin for the Hot Meal and Food Box Program.
Firebaugh Awarded Nearly $3 Million for Sewer Drain Improvements
Another huge win to highlight for our district! The City of Firebaugh has been awarded $2,787,901! This federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is administered by the California Department of Housing & Community Development, and will be used for storm drain improvements.
More State Funding for Mental Health Services for Merced County
Merced County’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) received $9.8 million to expand Substance Use Disorder treatment at the Winton Clinic, enabling the clinic to serve more youth and adults who suffer from substance use issues. The county also received $2.8 million to support the Justice and Community Integration expansion on BHRS’ main campus in Merced located on 13th Street, enhancing services for individuals involved in the justice system.
District 27’s Non-Profit of the Year is Central California Food Bank
This quarter my office and I honored California’s Nonprofits of the Year! A time when leaders here in Sacramento celebrate and recognize the fearless nonprofits from all around the state!
I had the honor of recognizing Central California Food Bank as our District 27 Nonprofit of the Year! Thank you for your tireless work, your constant engagement with the community, and all food that you provide to our communities throughout the Central Valley.
HeART of the Valley Showcase Now Open
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Introducing our latest art pieces that are currently displayed in our Capitol Office in Sacramento and District Office in Merced! This is part of our inaugural “HeART of the Valley” art showcase, recognizing local and talented artists in our district! Check out the stunning piece I took a photo of called “Los Tomateros” by Ruben A. Sanchez.
Thank you to our Quarter 2 Spring Interns!
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This quarter, my office and I said goodbye to our spring interns, four incredible public servants who served the constituents of District 27 this year. I’m so proud of the passion, professionalism, and purpose each of you brought to our team. From helping constituents to supporting our community events, your contributions made a real impact, and I know this is just the beginning for all of you!
Thank you, Sithum Liyanarachchi (bottom picture), Esmeralda Tovar, Iellene Hernandez, and Juliana Madrigal (top picture), for being part of this journey with us. Wishing you all the best in what comes next—our future is in good hands!
Team Soria Celebrates and Honors Juneteenth in District 27
Team Soria was proud to join the Madera community in celebrating Juneteenth, a powerful reminder of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing fight for equity.
My office and I were honored to recognize Pastor Sammie Neely and Sister Yvonne Neely as the 2025 Juneteenth honorees and for their continued leadership in the black community, and to present a certificate in memoriam to the family of the late Mr. Slack, whose legacy and impact will continue to be felt in this community.
Team Soria Helps to Open the First School in the United States Named After a Punjabi Leader
Team Soria participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Jaswant Singh Khalra Elementary School in Fresno in June! Alongside Central Unified School District leaders, we recognized a historic milestone, as Jaswant Singh Khalra Elementary School is now the first elementary school in the United States named in honor of a Punjabi human rights activist. We helped to make this a possibility and open this school in our community and it’s reflective of our district’s culture, love for education, and commitment to community.
District 27 Quarter 2 Casework Report
My office takes great pride in helping constituents of Assembly District 27 resolve issues with state agencies. From EDD to the DMV and the Franchise Tax Board, we're here to assist with a wide range of casework needs.
We understand that it may be difficult from time to time to make contact with these agencies, so we work on your behalf. If you have any issues with any state agencies, please contact our District Office for assistance.
The following numbers are from April 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025:
Half-Year Casework Report
Total monies returned to AD 27 Constituents:$251,397.51
Cases by County:
- Merced: 65 cases, which resulted in $226,753.79
- Fresno: 14 cases, which resulted in $21,559.72
- Madera: 5 cases, which resulted in $3,084.00
Constituent Testimonials
Linda Bitter, San Luis Obispo County
“My name is Linda Bitter and I live in San Luis Obispo County. I was struggling, in trying to help my senior mom, in Fresno County with issues from the Franchise Tax Board and DMV. I reached out to Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria stressed out, and was kindly greeted by Julian Villafana. This office helped me get my mom back on track. If it wasn’t for their amazing willingness to help, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
I truly wish everyone in this world, could be treated with the kindness and respect we received from her and her staff.”
Adam Conour, CEO, Anabasis LLC
“Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria has shown commitment to supporting our Veterans, particularly those facing housing insecurity. Her leadership and willingness to collaborate with community partners like Anabasis LLC have been instrumental in helping us move forward with our mission to provide affordable housing and vital support services for Veterans in need. Assemblywoman Soria and her office have been extremely helpful with California’s Department of Housing and Community Development. We deeply appreciate her continued efforts and advocacy on behalf of those who have served our Country.”
My office and I are honored to serve the constituents of Assembly District 27 and remain committed to resolving your concerns with dedication and care. From supporting our local nonprofits and veterans to assisting with state agency challenges, our office is here to help you every step of the way. Thank you for trusting us to be your advocates — together, we will continue to make a positive impact in our communities.