Leadership on Display
Jun 24, 2025 02:39PM ● By Ornella Rossi
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Business leaders, community advocates, local officials and residents gathered at Rancho Cordova City Hall on June 20 for the monthly Rancho Cordova Luncheon, hosted by the Cordova Community Council and the Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce. The featured guest, California State Senator Roger Niello, shared candid updates on pressing regulatory, budgetary and regional matters affecting both Rancho Cordova and the state at large.
“Roger has been a Sacramento native for most of his life. He was elected to the California Senate in 2022 and represents the fifth district, and this is a large district that stretches from about Wheatland to Galt and it includes our Rancho Cordova,” said Cordova Community Council Executive Director Shelly Blanchard in her welcoming remarks.
A portion of Niello’s remarks centered on regulatory reform. He described ongoing efforts to curb what he referred to as “disability access drive-by lawsuits,” in which small businesses, especially in disadvantaged communities, are targeted with alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“My legislation would allow a small business, with 50 employees or less, 120 days to fix the alleged defect and they cannot be sued,” Niello said. While the bill previously failed in the Assembly, Niello noted progress in the Senate.
Niello also proposed the creation of a centralized Office of Regulatory Counsel within the Governor’s Office to bring consistency to how state regulations are developed and implemented across agencies.
State Sen. Roger Niello, joined by fellow representatives from his office and other assembly offices, attended the Rancho Cordova Luncheon. Photo by Ornella Rossi
Niello also focused on the controversial “60-cent gas tax” explaining that the increase stems from California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standards, a regulation implemented by the California Air Resources Board.
“The interesting thing about this is that over the years, they have done an outstanding job of reducing greenhouse gas conditions and green expenses to a lot of Californians and it has had absolutely no impact on the greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. Not only no impact but greenhouse gases are higher in concentration because it's a worldwide problem,” said Niello. “I’m not suggesting that we do nothing but we should at least assess what the impacts are going to be on Californians by these regulations.”
A bill Niello introduced that would require legislative approval for such regulations was defeated by the committee.
Niello also expressed concern over California’s $20-billion unemployment insurance debt to the federal government, a deficit he said is now being shouldered by employers. Niello said that this happened in other states but those were paid back.
“The basic tax on employers is 6% on the first $7,000 of income. That would be $420 but a discount is given for a timely payment that brings that number down to $42,” said Niello. “The problem is, if a debt is outstanding for more than two years, that discount is reduced by about $21 each year and so rather than paying $42 per employee in 2025, they are up to $126. That will go up to $137 next year and if the state is not repaying the debt by 2039, it'll be right back up to that maximum of $420.”
The Rancho Cordova Luncheon theme for June centered on Independence Day, encouraging residents to participate in the Fourth of July celebrations. Photo courtesy of the Rancho Cordova Community Council
Niello also highlighted the lack of funding for Proposition 36, the voter-approved public safety and drug treatment measure passed last November.
“The probation department is absolutely key to making this work,” Niello said, emphasizing that the measure aims to divert individuals with drug offenses into treatment rather than jail. “Without full funding for probation, this critical piece is in danger of failing.”
Offering updates on the Fix 50 construction project, Niello acknowledged ongoing delays but offered some optimism.
“They’ve had a few hiccups but barring any major issues, the main roadway work should be done by December,” Niello said. Peripheral work is expected to continue into next summer.
Niello also highlighted the formation of a new bipartisan Sacramento County Caucus in the Legislature, spearheaded by Sen. Angelique Ashby.
“This is a very bipartisan effort to focus on Sacramento County issues and I think it’s going to be terribly beneficial,” Niello said.
Rancho Cordova Councilmember Linda Budge praised Niello on behalf of the City of Rancho Cordova.
“Roger could have sat in his family’s dealership and done that for a very long time but instead, he chose to put his life where his mouth was and tried to do something that would help the rest of us with our higher quality of living,” said Budge. “This is the first time that he is representing Rancho Cordova so it’s the first time that we’ve had an opportunity to do anything for him. In honor of that, I would like to give him a key to the city.”
Looking ahead, the next Rancho Cordova Luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 18 at Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive.
The price to attend is $20 for members of the Cordova Community Council and/or Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce or $30 for nonmembers and walk-ins.
For more information on the Rancho Cordova Luncheon series, upcoming events or how to become a member, visit cordovacouncil.org.
