From left are Shelly Blanchard, executive director of the Cordova Community Council; Assemblyman Josh Hoover; and Diann Rogers, Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce president & CEO.

 

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Rancho Cordova Luncheon, a staple of local community engagement for more than 64 years, once again brought together business leaders, residents, and policymakers for an informative gathering on May 16.

Hosted monthly by the Cordova Community Council and the Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce, the event provides a platform for community members to hear from local newsmakers. This month's luncheon, held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rancho Cordova City Hall, featured Assemblyman Josh Hoover, who represents California’s 7th District.

Hoover addressed several key issues impacting his district, which includes the cities of Citrus Heights, Folsom and Rancho Cordova, and the unincorporated communities of Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Foothill Farms, Gold River, Mather, McClean Park, North Highlands, Orangevale and Rosemont.

“I have been privileged to see Josh in action, he walks his talk, and we are very fortunate to have him representing Rancho Cordova,” said Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Diann Rogers.

Assemblyman Josh Hoover speaks with constituents at the Rancho Cordova Luncheon on May 16.

Hoover, who was re-elected to a second term in November, shared his thoughts on the state of California's political landscape and highlighted several priorities for his office. He began by emphasizing his deep connection to the region.

“It’s wonderful to be back here today,” Hoover said. “It’s an honor to represent the community where I grew up. I’ve had the pleasure of living and working around the Sacramento area and I truly believe this is a place with a bright future ahead.”

During his presentation, Hoover discussed the bipartisan efforts he is involved in, particularly through the California Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of legislators working across party lines to address the state's most pressing issues.

“The mission of California Problem Solvers Caucus is to educate elected officials, legislative staff, members of the public on policy and issues to, and I quote, “Encourage political leadership that puts the public good above partisan political ideology. Their goal is to create the infrastructure that will advance leadership by promise solvers who are principal, pragmatic, and committed to reaching across the aisle to issues facing California,” said Rogers.

Hoover said, “one of the topics we’re focused on this year is energy policy. How can we transition to a clean energy future while also protecting our economy?”

Hoover also spoke on his involvement in immigration reform discussions, stressing the need for collaboration on what is often a divisive issue.

“There are a lot of different opinions on immigration,” Hoover said. “But we’re trying to come together to create a bipartisan approach that considers workforce needs and border security.”

At the Rancho Cordova monthly luncheon, keynote speaker Assemblyman Josh Hoover opened the floor for a Q&A session with attendees.

A key topic of Hoover's address was the recent revision of Governor Gavin Newsom’s state budget. Originally projecting a budget surplus in January, the latest revision revealed a $12-billion deficit.

“The legislature is currently reviewing the budget and engaging with the governor’s office,” Hoover said. “Education is a priority for me and I’m glad to see that the proposed budget does not include cuts to education. But we will have to make some tough decisions.”

Another priority that Hoover discussed was homelessness. Despite spending billions in taxpayer funds over the past several years, the state’s homelessness crisis continues to worsen. According to Hoover, California now accounts for half of the nation’s unsheltered homeless population.

“We’ve spent over $24 billion on homelessness programs, and when you look at our homelessness population in California from 2019 and compare it to 2024, which is our latest count, we were at 151,000 homeless individuals in 2019 and today, we’re at 187,000 homeless individuals. Now, that’s statewide but that accounts for 50% of the nation’s unsheltered homeless population just in one state,” Hoover said. “We need to focus on accountability and treatment, not just housing. Mental health and substance abuse treatment are critical to addressing the root causes of homelessness.”

On the public safety front, Hoover highlighted Proposition 36, which passed in November with more than 70% voter approval. The measure is aimed at addressing retail theft and holding fentanyl dealers accountable. Hoover stressed the importance of ensuring law enforcement has the resources it needs to implement these provisions.

“I was proud to advocate for Prop 36,” Hoover said. “But to be successful, we need funding to support law enforcement and prosecutors.”

Hoover also shared his passion for education, noting his background as a former school board member. He discussed his recent work on legislation like the “Phone-Free Schools Act,” which aims to limit smartphone use in schools to combat rising mental health issues among students.

“Smartphones are a big part of the problem,” Hoover said. “We’re seeing rising rates of depression and anxiety, and much of it is linked to social media. We need to take action to protect our kids.”

Following Hoover’s address, attendees were given the opportunity to ask questions. One attendee raised concerns about Governor Newsom’s mandate for state workers to return to the office by July.

“I think it’s important to embrace remote work where it makes sense,” Hoover said in response. “Many state workers have optimized their work from home and bringing them back could be detrimental to productivity. It would also increase costs for workers in terms of commuting and parking.”

Another question focused on the issue of electric vehicle (EV) owners contributing to road maintenance through taxes. Hoover acknowledged the growing role of EVs on California roads but pointed out the disparity in funding for road repair.

“EVs are becoming a substantial portion of the vehicle fleet. They don’t contribute to the gas tax, which funds road repairs. I support a vehicle mileage tax for EVs to help ensure they pay their fair share for infrastructure,” Hoover said. “We need to stop raiding the gas tax and sending it to other priorities. It should be going to our roads, that's what drivers pay for, and that's what we should be getting. We currently pay the highest gas taxes in the entire country and we drive on the 46th-worse ranked roads in the country.”

The next Rancho Cordova Luncheon will take place on June 20, featuring California Senator Roger Niello. Reservations are required, with tickets priced at $20 for members of the Cordova Community Council and the Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce, and $30 for non-members and walk-ins.

For more information on how to become a member or to purchase tickets, visit cordovacouncil.org.