Assemblymember Robert Rivas was elected to the State Assembly in 2018.
While still in his first term, in the Fall of 2020, he was appointed as Chairman of the Assembly Agriculture Committee and elected as Vice-Chair of the influential Latino Legislative Caucus. A lifelong resident of the district, Rivas served two terms on the San Benito County Board of Supervisors prior to becoming an Assemblymember.
Astronomical housing costs have made the dream of homeownership unaffordable for many residents of the district, and costs are rising every year. California must develop more affordable housing while preserving and rehabilitating our current supply. I strongly support increased housing density where appropriate. Higher density results in more affordable housing, creates a smaller footprint (which is better for the environment), and makes provision of public services more efficient. I am proud of the affordable housing bill I authored that identifies surplus government property and builds housing on these sites, which may have been overlooked or unknown.