I had a great meeting with Fresno Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher, where we discussed the importance of expanding access to education in the Valley. It was great to learn more about the Pro-Child Policy Agenda and how it provides the necessary support that students need to reach their full potential. I believe we must invest in our youth and provide them with the support and education they deserve, and I look forward to continuing to work together to achieve that goal. 

On Thursday, I met with the directors of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) to discuss upcoming policies that support our local law enforcement and their families. Our Central Valley police departments continue to face staffing shortages, and we need real solutions to support people who put their lives on the line to keep up safe. Improving the recruitment, retention, and training of our officers is a critical step in advancing public safety, and I look forward to our continued collaboration. 

This week, I met with the California Table Grape Commission to discuss the challenges our table grape producers are facing. The specialty crop industry continues to face rising input costs, foreign competition, and other unprecedented obstacles, and I look forward to continuing to support our growers as they produce the food that feeds our nation.

This week, Team Valadao met with Faith in the Valley to discuss their vision for our region and how our office can be a resource. Later, my staff sat down with B3K Prosperity President and CEO, Georgia Pertopoulos, to provide a legislative update and discuss project plans for “A Better Bakersfield and Boundless Kern.” The team also joined the community in celebrating the Hanford Sentinel’s 140th Anniversary. Afterwards, Team Valadao met with Building Healthy Communities to discuss healthcare policy, the Cal City immigration detention facility, and Affordable Care Act tax credits. 

On Wednesday, my staff attended the Corcoran Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet to honor "Man of the Year" Steve Berry, "Woman of the Year" Bob’e Bravo, and "Junior Citizen of the Year" Jason Lepe. My staff also met with the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to discuss shared priorities and opportunities for collaboration. Later, the team attended the one-year anniversary celebration of the ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness Center, where they toured the facility and presented a Certificate of Recognition. To close out the week, my staff joined the Kings County Farm Bureau their monthly community conversation to hear directly from local farmers and provide a legislative update.

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!

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.  

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