Thursday, 28 March 2024

Aguiar-Curry speaks to local Democrats

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake and Colusa counties’ Democratic Party organizations co-hosted Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry on a virtual meeting July 29.

The conversation was very informative, with Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry answering questions from an audience of engaged citizens.

Aguiar-Curry began with condolences to families in California who’ve lost loved ones to COVID-19.

She spoke of how the pandemic has changed working as a legislator. Communications by video conference and telephone are now the norm. And that Assemblymembers were asked to limit any newly proposed bills to focus on COVID, disasters, or homelessness.

She went on to say she is proud to keep building support for proposed legislation she introduced in 2019, AB570, a bill intended to bridge the digital divide. This bill prioritizes the deployment of broadband infrastructure in California’s most vulnerable and underserved rural communities such as Lake and Colusa counties.

She discussed specific schools that currently do not have stable, effective internet service for their students. Her expectation is that this legislation, when passed, will provide a solution for our schools and the tools our children and teens need.

Aguiar-Curry explained the importance of a bill she introduced, AB168, which is intended to reinstate tribal rights around matters of land development which were unintentionally stripped away in legislation passed in 2017. Much of Assembly District 4 consists of tribal lands; she believes Native Americans’ property rights must be protected.

Aguiar-Curry began serving Lake and Colusa counties as State Assembly representative in January 2017. One of her first accomplishments was to establish the Blue Ribbon Committee for the Rehabilitation of Clear Lake. This was funded with $2 million from the state budget and was slated to receive another $5 million from water bond funding. A most recent budget proposal did not, however, contain that funding.

In an act of protest, she didn't vote in support of the Natural Resources trailer budget bill. The consequences of that vote: The Assembly Speaker removed her from the Transportation Committee. The group thanked her for her courage and commitment to Lake County.

Questions from the audience were mostly around the COVID-19 pandemic and Lake County’s lack of broadband. Many participants expressed a desire to get state assistance with enforcement and testing, as our local governing bodies are having challenges with both. A few attendees were interested in policing matters and Lakeport’s state fairgrounds.

Having grown up in the small rural town of Winters, then being the first female mayor to serve her hometown, Aguiar-Curry knows the challenges of California’s rural communities. She has introduced legislation to improve health care and pharmacy access by providing tele-health and tele-pharmacy technology. She has been vocal and involved in discussions with PG&E regarding public safety power shut-offs.

She is a dedicated, hard-working public servant, always working to improve conditions in rural areas such as Lake and Colusa Counties.

This event was hosted by the Programs & Recruitment Committee of the Lake County Democratic Party. More information can be found at www.lakecountydemocrats.org .

Upcoming Calendar

28Mar
03.28.2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Vision resource group
30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Second annual Bunny Brunch
30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Lakeport Community Cleanup Day
30Mar
03.30.2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Lake County poet laureate inauguration
31Mar
03.31.2024
Easter Sunday
31Mar
03.31.2024 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm
Lakeport Rotary Club Easter Egg Hunt
1Apr
04.01.2024
Easter Monday
1Apr
10Apr
15Apr
04.15.2024
Tax Day

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