Representative David Valadao

Dear [firstname],

It's been a busy week here in the 22nd District. Read below for an update on my work on behalf of the Central Valley.

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Answering Constituent Questions

Recently, I've received a lot of questions from constituents, so I wanted to take this opportunity to answer some of them.

Cecilia from Lamont asked:

My question is what new safety measures and support are being brought to Lamont to combat crime? I say this because there’s a new sheriff station being built for the Tejon casino, but we need more deputies out on patrol.

Thanks for your question, Cecilia. I understand your concerns and I agree that our communities need to have law enforcement resources where they are needed most. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I've worked hard to make sure our local law enforcement agencies and first responders have the resources they need to protect our communities, while also supporting efforts to recruit and retain more officers. That’s why I supported the Pathways to Policing Act to combat staffing shortages and joined my colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act, which would help address a major barrier for officers working long and unpredictable hours. Protecting our communities is one of my top priorities, and I'll continue working with our local law enforcement officials and fighting for the federal resources they need to keep families in Lamont and throughout the Central Valley safe.

Rick from Porterville asked:

What’s being done to make sure our food supply is safe? There have been a ton of recalls recently and I don’t know what food is good to eat or not.

That's a good question, Rick. As a dairy farmer in the Valley, I know how important it is for families to know that the food they put on their tables is safe. Our Central Valley farmers and producers work hard to provide safe, high-quality food, but we also need to make sure our food safety system can quickly identify and respond when problems come up. That’s why I supported the bipartisan Food Traceability Enhancement Act, which would strengthen our ability to trace contaminated food and respond to foodborne illness outbreaks. I've also advocated for a strong Farm Bill that supports USDA research, education, and programs that help protect our food supply. Food safety is critical, and I'm committed to continuing to work to make sure people have confidence in the food they feed their families.

For the latest information on food recalls, click here.

Alyssa from Hanford asked:

I’m in my last year of high school and I’m honestly kind of worried about what my future is going to look like. With prices being so high and it feeling harder to get a good job, how are we supposed to afford things like college, housing, or even living on our own once we graduate?

I understand where you’re coming from, and as a dad of three, I know how important it is to make sure the next generation has a real opportunity to build a good life. Young people should be able to graduate high school, find a good-paying job, afford a home, and support a family without being buried by costs. That means getting prices under control, growing our economy, and making sure we are preparing students for the jobs that are available in their communities. That's why I helped reintroduce the bipartisan Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act to help people gain the skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow. To help lower housing costs, I proudly supported the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act which recently became law. This bipartisan housing package will help increase access to housing and make it easier for people to afford a place to live.

Unfortunately, in California, one of our biggest issues is the high cost of living caused by numerous regulations coming from the state legislature in Sacramento. That's why I'm working to lower everyday costs, including leading efforts to stop the state's annual gas tax increase. Californians already pay some of the highest gas prices in the nation, and they shouldn't be forced to pay even more due to extra taxes.

My goal is to make sure the next generation has the opportunity to build a good career, afford a home, and raise a family without needing to leave the Central Valley to do it, and I'll keep working in Congress to help make that goal a reality.

Team Valadao in the Valley

This week, Team Valadao attended the Harvest Academy Graduation Ceremony to present Certificates of Recognition to the graduating class. In Kings County, staff attended the Board of Supervisors meeting and met with Public Works Director Daymon Qualls to discuss upcoming developments and infrastructure needs in the county. Staff also attended the Kids Book Joint ribbon cutting and toured the North of River Sanitary District’s wastewater treatment plant.

Later in the week, Team Valadao met with Shafter Recreation and Park District Manager Phillip Jiminez and Marketing Coordinator Favian Trujillo, as well as Richland School District Superintendent Annette Blacklock and Wasco Recreation and Park District Manager Chris Serna. Staff also attended the Shafter Community Collaborative meeting and the Everar Vitality and Serenity Wellness ribbon cutting in Bakersfield before joining the Kern County Farm Bureau for its board meeting.

To wrap up the week, Team Valadao joined the Boys & Girls Club of Kern County for its Panda Cares Day event and met with Kern County Behavioral Health Director Alison Burrowes. Staff also attended the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce Government Review Council meeting, where they received an update from Bakersfield City Development Services Director Phil Burns. In Tulare County, the team met with Tulare Union High School Dean of Students Kimberly Castro, attended the State of the City & County meeting, toured the Tulare CARES Emergency Shelter, and visited Rosa Brothers Creamery to learn more about how their flavored milk is produced.

Casework Corner

Trying to get an answer from a federal agency can often be a time-consuming and frustrating process. If you ever need help navigating a federal agency, you can visit my website or call my Hanford office at (559) 460-6070. My team is ready to assist you!

Tratar de obtener una respuesta de una agencia federal a menudo puede ser un proceso frustrante y que requiere mucho tiempo. Si alguna vez necesita ayuda con una agencia federal, puede visitar mi sitio de web aquí o llamar a mi oficina de Hanford al (559) 460-6070. ¡Mi equipo está listo para ayudarte!

Ask David

Do you have a question about my position on an issue? How Congress operates? My thoughts on the news of the day?

Send your first name, town, and question to AskDavid@mail.house.gov and I might answer yours right here in one of my weekly newsletters. Make sure to subscribe to my weekly email updates to see if your question was answered!

If you want to share your opinion with me on issues of importance, you can always contact me on my website.

Stay Connected with Text Alerts!

Did you know you can now sign up for texts from my office to stay up to date on my work in Washington D.C.? To sign up to receive updates from me directly to your phone, just text VALADAO to (559) 387-4346 and you will be automatically subscribed. You can also sign up for text alerts using this form here.

I'll be using this newsletter as a way to keep you updated on my work in Congress. Make sure to sign up for regular updates and follow my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with my work.

David G.Valadao

Member of Congress