Government Affairs Op-Ed
Assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo
My first three months in the California State Legislature have been a whirl wind. Thank you to the
Tulare Chamber, its members and our entire community for the vote of confidence in me to fight for our
way of life. I am honored by the trust and confidence you have placed in me to fight for our water
rights, curb the high cost of living, restore our sense of public safety, and advocate for small
businesses. I treasure our Tulare culture and am so blessed to share how amazing the Central Valley is
with my colleagues.
With our community in mind, I have been working hard to introduce legislation to bring common sense
back to state government. Given the great need for water infrastructure, I introduced Assembly Bill 267.
This legislation would reprioritize the billion dollars that is currently going to the High-Speed Rail
project each year for more pressing investments into water infrastructure and wildfire prevention. This
would redirect the funding for two budget years, resulting in $2 billion in projects that would allow
the Central Valley to continue its incredible agricultural operations, ensure job retention and growth,
and encourage investments into the future of our community. This money was NOT included in the
voter-passed Proposition 1. This is money that is at the discretion of the Governor and State
Legislature. Over the past 17 years, $13.7 billion dollars has been spent on the High-Speed Rail
project, yet the Merced to Bakersfield portion reminds unfinished – while we still have families
in the Central Valley who lack access to clean and safe drinking water and farmers/ farm workers worried
about their water supply future. It is vital for the state to prioritize critical investments over
projects like the High-Speed Rail.
State regulations, especially those passed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are strangling
everyday Californians and our way of life.
CARB imposes mandates that leaves businesses no choice, but to shut their doors or exit California.
When regulators are caught abusing their power or acting in a way that does not align with the mission
of their organization, there is no accountability and very little oversight. In an effort to hold CARB
accountable, I introduced Assembly Bill 41. This measure requires CARB to conduct a cost analysis
detailing the exact financial impacts of its regulations on Californians. Unelected bureaucrats are
commonly uneducated or willfully ignorant about the industries they regulate. Their actions have little
to no regard for the increases in costs to businesses or consumers, which only perpetuates the cost of
living and affordability crisis.
Bureaucratic delays from the California Environment Quality Act (CEQA) especially for streamlining
water infrastructure projects is long overdue for reform. Assembly Bill 295 was introduced to help
expedite the development of critical water projects by preventing unnecessary CEQA delays on vital
infrastructure initiatives. California’s aging and severely neglected water infrastructure is
struggling to meet the demands of our growing population, as well as extreme weather events such as
major storms and droughts.
Because our team has put in an extensive amount of work, we are entering a season of hope. We will
continue to fight to bring back common sense to our state and make sure the Central Valley’s voice
is heard. We are the heart of California and crucial to our nation. As the producers of the
state’s food, we play a major role in making California the fifth largest economy in the world
– yet we are often overlooked and denied resources.
As your Assemblywoman, I promise to represent you with passion, class, and pride as a vocal advocate
for those I am blessed to represent.
To make our community stronger, I will need your support and engagement. Please reach out to me when
you have a state-related issue you want to bring to my attention or have feedback on how we can better
serve our community. Our District Office phone number is (559) 636-3440, and our Capitol Office phone
number is (916) 319-2033.
Join me as we celebrate the Central Valley and fight to protect and promote District 33!
Business Corner
Tulare Business Innovation Zone is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses
The City of Tulare and the Tulare Chamber of Commerce are thrilled to announce the launch of the Tulare
Business Innovation Zone (TBIZ), an exciting new facility dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and
small businesses. Located in the heart of Tulare, TBIZ is designed to foster innovation and growth,
providing a dynamic space where ideas can thrive and businesses can flourish.
TBIZ will feature a modern co-working space, state-of-the-art conference and training rooms, private
offices, and plans for a future Makerspace — a hub for creativity and prototyping. These resources
aim to serve as a catalyst for small business growth by offering essential tools and a supportive
community environment. Through a partnership between the City of Tulare, the Tulare Chamber of Commerce,
the Small Business Development Center, and the Tulare County Resource Development Corporation, TBIZ will
significantly enhance access to training opportunities for local entrepreneurs and start-ups.
The cornerstone of TBIZ is its three-year business incubator program, specifically designed to provide
effective training and mentorship. This program will offer a comprehensive curriculum, covering critical
topics such as business planning, marketing strategies, financial management, legal compliance, and
leveraging technology for growth. The goal is to equip entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge
needed to launch and sustain successful businesses.
In addition to fostering economic growth, TBIZ is committed to inclusivity and diversity. The program
will actively encourage applications from culturally diverse entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses,
aiming to ensure that opportunities are accessible to all. Moreover, approximately 25% of the
incubator’s participants are expected to be immigrant-owned businesses, reflecting Tulare’s
vibrant community.
The need for small businesses in local communities cannot be overstated. Small businesses are the
backbone of the economy, driving job creation, fostering innovation, and contributing to the unique
character of neighborhoods. By investing in local entrepreneurs, TBIZ seeks to strengthen Tulare’s
economy, create jobs, and cultivate a culture of innovation.
The TBIZ initiative represents a transformative step forward for Tulare. By offering entrepreneurs
access to resources, training, and mentorship, this program aims to lower barriers to entry and create a
thriving ecosystem for small business development. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just
starting with an idea, TBIZ is poised to be the launchpad for your success.
The City of Tulare and the Tulare Chamber of Commerce invite entrepreneurs and community members to
learn more about TBIZ and its programs. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive future for our
local economy.
For more information, contact the Tulare Chamber at
559-686-1547.
