People are tired of empty promises and partisan rhetoric. They want to know that their government works for them. That’s what I’m bringing to Washington.

One of our greatest needs in the Valley is health care. So, it’s great to see Del Puerto Canyon Health Care District make plans for a new hospital. It could be open by 2032, giving us time to solve our nation’s healthcare problems – including finding a way to keep rural hospitals

When I told my staff to light the menorah in our Merced office, someone asked if I was Jewish. You don’t have to be Jewish to celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Light. We all must become part of the light that confronts and does away with evil. When violence preys on people for

What will become of the Crows Landing Naval Air Station? Hard to tell, but things are finally starting to happen. The World War II-era facility has a mile-long landing strip, nearby highways and rails – a trifecta for logistics, manufacturing or technical staging. Putting in

Every time a student from UC Merced enters med school, our dreams are realized. Every time a student engineers putting solar panels on top of canals, creates robotics or advances biomolecular engineering, our Valley’s university is validated. Still, learning that the remarkable

When you say “purple potatoes” it conjures up something, well, different. Like green eggs and ham – but real. Merced County is the only place in the US where you can grow organic sweet potatoes. Our combination of soil, temperature and clean water is perfect. With help from the

When Madera’s hospital came out of bankruptcy this year, it was great news for the community. But one portion of the hospital didn’t reopen -- the maternity ward. That means expectant mothers must travel for care. It’s not just in Madera; maternity wards in rural communities

I read in the Chronicle about the activist who “rescued” four chickens. She considers consuming meat a crime. But for 80% of the world’s population, meat provides essential nutrients. It’s not just a choice, it’s a necessity. The judge required the activist to pay $102,548 in

Best pizza in Stanislaus County is ‘proportioned perfectly’ with ‘the best crust.’ The Modesto Bee’s pizza poll came up with an interesting winner – Luigi’s on Yosemite Blvd. To be honest, I’ve never tried Luigi’s, but that will change. Jennifer Warda and her son Anthony

Across the state, our reservoirs are basically full. We just had record-setting November rain. Yet, the Dept of Water Resources tells farmers that they can count on only 10% of the water they’ve been promised. DWR admits this number isn’t final or even realistic. But it’s the

Gratitude carries us through the toughest times. I’m grateful to represent a community filled with caring, generous, and compassionate people. The countless meals prepared and served across our Valley remind me how quickly neighbors step up for one another. Yet I’m humbled by how

When I wrote an op-ed for The Hill – Need for Speed: Why permitting reform can’t come soon enough – I had no idea that two days later the Department of Interior would heed my call and issue Secretary Order 3446. That order will make it easier to plan, build and complete projects

What happened to the Los Banos Creek Detention Reservoir Storage project? Farmers liked it, conservationists didn’t hate it and all agreed it would reduce flood risk while raising groundwater levels. For 13 years it’s been stuck in paperwork purgatory, like hundreds of other

The Hilmar volleyball players are STATE CHAMPS after sweeping Elsinore in straight sets to win the Division V State title last Friday. Emma Gomes had 10 kills while Emma Nyman had 10 digs for Coach Patti Harris’ team. Setter Stella Pires had 38 assists. The Yellowjackets were

BEST in the state! Few can make that claim, but the young women of Merced High’s water polo team earned the right by beating Los Altos 10-7 in the D3 title game Saturday. Having played water polo, I know how cold the water is in the morning, how heavy your arms feel in that last

The girls from Hilmar could make history. They are playing for the Division V state championship at Santiago Canyon College in Orange County. State champions from our region are rare and special. Like everyone in Hilmar, I have faith that Coach Patti Harris’ Yellowjackets call

I was surprised to find myself on the front page of the LA Times on Tuesday. Guess in LA it’s considered unusual for elected leaders to stand up for constituents. But if you won’t stand up for your neighbors, they won’t stand up for you. That’s why I voted against keeping the

I see in the Ceres Courier that groups of bicycle-riding kids are taking over streets, making drivers nervous and even chasing folks off the sidewalks. I’ve seen this in big cities like Philly, but Ceres? Chief Trent Johnson has some good ideas about curbing this behavior. First

When it’s taco time, head for Fresno. The annual Taco Truck Throwdown was last weekend at Chukchansi Park. Four-time champion Taco Pinto was once again the judge’s choice. The People’s Choice went to Tacos La Vaporera for its Cabeza al Vapor – a steamed beef-head taco with ox

I introduced the bill in the House to extend tax credits and lower costs. My GOP colleagues in the House have endorsed 1 year extension, and now the Senate has proposed the same thing. What are we waiting for? This is a responsible bipartisan fix. Let’s get it done.

Here’s wishing Monsignor Harvey Fonseca a very happy, and well-deserved, retirement. Monsignor Fonseca rescued St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Livingston from near bankruptcy more than 30 years ago. Before that, folks from Dos Palos knew him as a Merced County supervisor.