April 2026 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I always look forward to the arrival of April, a time that reminds us of renewal and growth in our communities. As the season changes, it also brings new opportunities to come together, support one another, and continue building a stronger future for the residents of the 53rd Assembly District. Over the past few months, my team and I have had the privilege of connecting with residents, community leaders, educators, and local organizations across the district who have continued to uplift and strengthen our communities through their hard work and dedication.

It is my privilege to represent the 53rd Assembly District in the California State Legislature. I am pleased to share our April 2026 Newsletter and provide key updates on resources and initiatives that affect our community.

Sincerely,

Michelle Rodriguez
Assemblymember, 53rd District

Rodriguez in the District

Pomona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting
& Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Minerva’s Flowers

I was honored to join the Pomona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of their new office space in Pomona. This milestone reflects the continued growth and support for Hispanic and minority-owned businesses in our community. It was also a pleasure to recognize Founder Minerva Hernandez and celebrate 30 years of Minerva’s Flowers serving generations of families in Pomona.

Arrowhead Bottling Plant Tour

During a recent visit to the Arrowhead Bottling Plant in the City of Ontario, I had the chance to learn more about the operations and workforce that keep the facility running each day. From production and logistics to delivery and warehousing, the plant supports hundreds of local jobs in our region. I appreciate the Arrowhead team for the informative tour and warm welcome.

Cal Poly Pomona Campus Tour

Cal Poly Pomona opened their doors to our office to see firsthand how innovation is shaping the future of our region. From technology supporting farm-to-table food production that helps feed students and local families to the work taking place within the College of Engineering, the campus continues to make a meaningful impact. I am proud to represent Cal Poly Pomona and the students and educators who help move this work forward.

Nixon-Egli Tour

Nixon-Egli invited us to visit their business in the City of Ontario. They are proud members of the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), which also joined the tour. It was great to see firsthand the wide range of equipment they provide to support construction, infrastructure, and industrial projects throughout our region. I was particularly impressed by their electric equipment and repair services, which help ensure equipment stays reliable and ready to get the job done. Thank you to the Nixon-Egli and AED team for the important role you play in supporting our local workforce and strengthening our regional economy.

Connecting Residents to Free Tax Filing Assistance at our Inaugural Taxes and Tacos Event

It was a pleasure to partner with Golden State Opportunity to bring Taxes & Tacos to the City of Ontario. Through this collaboration, we were able to offer residents free IRS-certified VITA tax preparation services. I am grateful to Pastor Kennedy and Hilda Kennedy for opening the doors of Mt. Zion Church of Ontario to make this event possible. I also want to thank the many community organizations and vendors who tabled at the event and shared valuable resources with our residents. Thanks to this event, we were able to assist with 32 tax returns and help return nearly $20,000 back to our residents. To find a VITA site near you, visit

As your Assemblymember, I remain committed to advancing legislation that strengthens our communities and addresses the needs of residents across the 53rd Assembly District. This year, I introduced several bills focused on public safety, workforce development, education, consumer protection, and access to essential services.

Below are a few highlights from my legislative package currently under consideration in Sacramento.

AB 1628 – KID Act

AB 1628 expands California’s Safe Surrender law by allowing a parent or guardian to safely surrender a newborn within 30 days of birth, instead of the current 72-hour window. This change provides families facing difficult circumstances with additional time while ensuring infants are safely cared for.

AB 2449 – School Bus Stop Sign Enforcement

AB 2449 improves student safety by authorizing automated enforcement for vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses. The bill also allows for longer stop sign arms on school buses to improve visibility and promote safer driving behavior around children.

AB 2444 – Supporting College Savings

AB 2444 modernizes California’s ScholarShare 529 college savings program and creates a new state tax deduction for qualifying contributions. This measure helps families save for higher education and provides additional financial support for students pursuing college.

AB 1792 – AI & Digital Safety Education

AB 1792 encourages updates to California’s sexual health education curriculum to address emerging digital harms. The bill promotes instruction on topics such as online safety, digital privacy, and technology-facilitated abuse so students are better prepared to navigate the digital world.

AB 2006 – Expanding Child Care Access

AB 2006 expands childcare access by allowing the Department of General Services to contract directly with providers to establish childcare facilities in state-owned buildings. This measure helps working families by increasing childcare availability for state employees and surrounding communities.

AB 1648 – California Epilepsy Program

AB 1648 establishes a California Epilepsy Program within the Department of Public Health to improve coordination of care, increase awareness, and strengthen services available to individuals living with epilepsy.

AB 1591 – Strengthening the Podiatric Medical Workforce

AB 1591 expresses legislative intent to strengthen California’s podiatric medical workforce by increasing awareness of podiatric medicine as a career path and improving access to accredited podiatric medical education.

AB 2453 – Off-Road Vehicles for Public Safety

AB 2453 allows public safety agencies to operate off-road vehicles on public streets when necessary to perform official duties. This exemption ensures that first responders can access areas and situations where specialized vehicles are needed to protect public safety.

California State Parks Week

California State Parks Week will return this year from June 10–14, 2026, celebrating the natural beauty and outdoor spaces that make our state special. This year’s theme, “This is where you live,” encourages residents to explore and enjoy California’s 280 state parks while learning about the importance of protecting these shared lands.

Throughout the week, parks across the state will host events focused on outdoor recreation, health and wellness, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. Residents are encouraged to participate by visiting a local state park, attending a community event, or learning more about the role parks play in supporting our environment and communities.

To view the full event schedule and learn how to participate, visit castateparksweek.org.

Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS)

Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS) supports underserved individuals and families by providing programs that promote housing stability, financial wellness, and economic opportunity. NPHS offers resources such as homebuyer education, down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, home repair and improvement programs, and affordable loan options that help homeowners maintain and upgrade their homes. The organization also provides financial wellness services and small business microloans designed to help entrepreneurs strengthen and grow their operations.

Whether you are looking to purchase your first home, improve your current home, or build financial stability, NPHS offers guidance and support to help you reach your goals. To learn more about available programs and determine your eligibility, visit www.nphsinc.org or call (909) 988-5979 to connect with their team.

Women in Apprenticeship Opportunities

Women interested in pursuing careers in the skilled trades can explore apprenticeship opportunities through the California Department of Industrial Relations Women in Apprenticeship initiative. These programs help women enter high-demand fields such as carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, and operating engineering while gaining paid, hands-on training and valuable industry experience.

Apprenticeships offer a pathway to stable, well-paying careers while helping address workforce needs across California’s construction and building trades industries. Additional support services may also be available to help participants succeed in their training and career development.

Women interested in learning more about apprenticeship pathways and available programs are encouraged to explore these opportunities and take the first step toward a rewarding career in the skilled trades.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our newsletter. We truly appreciate you and your continued support of our work in the community. If you or your family need help with any state-related issues or services, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.