State Senator John Laird and Assemblymember Robert Rivas will discuss key issues facing Monterey County and the state at the November 18 virtual meeting of the DWMC. 

State Senator John Laird was elected in 2020 to represent District 17. Laird serves on a broad array of committees and is Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee #1 (Education) and Vice-chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Previously, he served as Secretary of the CA Natural Resources Agency under Governor Jerry Brown. He was three terms in the State Assembly and authored 82 bills that were signed into law. Laird was on the Santa Cruz City Council and was a two-term mayor of Santa Cruz.

Assemblymember Robert Rivas has represented Assembly District 30 since 2018. He is Chair of the Agriculture Committee and Vice-chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus. His achievements include the COVID-19 Farmworker Relief Package, supporting agricultural workplace safety, access to PPE, testing, and healthcare. He championed the Farmworker Housing Act to build quality housing and he continues to address the state’s housing crisis. The Golden State Teacher Grant Program supports teachers who commit to teach high-need subjects in schools facing a shortage of qualified teachers.