In a special holiday episode of Dreaming Big, Working Hard, I speak with Father Scott Santarosa, SJ about immigration, human dignity, and the Holy Family as refugees—an ancient story that feels urgently present today. 🎧 Watch: https://youtu.be/yYqyb3rLKGQ

One missed paycheck can change everything. During the 43-day shutdown, 400K SNAP recipients lost benefits and 150K federal & military workers faced missed paychecks. Families with jobs suddenly needed food help. Stability is more fragile than we think.

USMCA renegotiation is coming in 2026. It affects every California job tied to cross-border trade. We're hosting a joint hearing Dec 12 in Chula Vista to examine how we protect our economy and strengthen ties with Mexico. Real talk about real stakes. #AD80

I sat down with Casey Castillo from the San Diego Food Bank. We talked about what 848,000 neighbors facing hunger really looks like. Teachers. Seniors. Military families going without meals. Watch: youtu.be/95sP-NJB4kc

I've lived near our coast my whole life. Watched families build lives around it. Now DC wants to risk oil spills for pennies while our coastal economy brings in $51B. We're pushing back hard. California's coast isn't for sale. #AD80 #ProtectOurCoast

300 students & families showed up on a rainy day—because college dreams matter. 🌧️🎓 Our South Bay College Fair brought 30+ schools, real financial-aid help, and big oportunidades. Gracias to Southwest High, volunteers, and every student who showed up. Next year’s fair coming soon! #AD80 #SiSePuede

Join us for this important conversation about building educational pathways for our community. Bring your questions, ideas, and experiences - your input helps shape the policies that will create more opportunities for the next generation. youtube.com/live/TnJmIvi...

Want to shape the future of higher education in South Bay? Join me tomorrow at Southwestern College for our Town Hall with local education leaders. Let's discuss new investments and expanded opportunities for our students. 10AM-11AM. #AD80

🎓 Every first-gen student's story matters. Proud to share these powerful voices from our community speaking their truth about the college journey. Watch the full video now at www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TAN... #AD80

Comedy opens hearts before minds. Join me and Macedonio Arteaga on the latest Dreaming Big Working Hard podcast as we explore how humor can tackle community issues and create real change. Watch now: youtu.be/SeNKP5G5iA0 #AD80

Proud to award The Alvarez Family Scholarship to Saira Garcia Barron and Luis Angel Perez Muñoz this week! These bright South Bay students represent our community's future in teaching and science. #AD80 #SouthBayPride

🎙️ "You do the work because of that memory - someone who sacrificed for you. You do it for friends & neighbors whose lives you can change." Tune in to hear what drives our public service mission. #AD80

Proud to announce Gov. Newsom just signed my bill AB 30! This bipartisan solution will help lower gas prices for California families by up to 20 cents per gallon through E15 fuel options. Real solutions for real affordability. #AD80 #California

Proud to host Assembly Speaker Emeritus John A. Pérez on my podcast. We discussed cross-border collaboration and how 150,000 daily border crossers show the real story of our binational region. Listen to our full conversation: youtu.be/GjVHN1iWyyY #AD80

📚 Join me and SWC President Dr. Mark Sanchez for an important Town Hall on Chula Vista University's progress. Saturday, Oct 25, 10AM at Southwestern College PAC. Your voice matters as we build higher education opportunities in South Bay. RSVP: a80.asmdc.org/events #AD80 #SouthBay

Exploring education access on today's episode of Dreaming Big Working Hard. UNAM stands as Latin America's largest public university, providing free education to millions. When we invest in accessible education, we build stronger communities. Watch the full episode here: youtu.be/WE-yYIv1TsU

Just pulled over to meet Angela & Janet - community heroes holding signs at rush hour in South Bay, encouraging folks to vote. No pay, pure passion. Doing this every Friday at 3:30pm. Mi gente showing up for democracy! #AD80

Every parent I talk to shares the same dream - wanting their kids to have more opportunities than they did. That's why I'm fired up about AB 662 passing the State Senate with bipartisan support yesterday. Here is a quick video on why we need a 4-year university in South San Diego County.

Can you imagine what it means for 600,000 South Bay residents to finally get their own university? Our bill AB 662 just passed the Senate with bipartisan support, bringing us one step closer to making higher education accessible right here in our community.

What do students need most? Great teachers who understand them. That's why I authored AB 833 to bring more bilingual educators from Mexico to CA classrooms. It passed the Senate unanimously. Our kids deserve teachers who speak their language and share their culture. #AD80 #SiSePuede

Want to hear a fascinating perspective on housing solutions? On my latest podcast episode, housing policy expert Shane Phillips breaks down the three key pillars: building more homes, protecting renters, and smart government subsidies. Listen now at the link! 🎧 #AD80 #SanDiego

Want to know what happened today on the Assembly floor? I casted my vote for SB 694 to shut down "claims sharks" targeting veterans. These predators charge thousands for basic VA paperwork that should be free. Proud to help stop veterans from being scammed out of their hard-earned benefits. #AD80#SD

Mi gente, I'm thrilled to share some buenas noticias! 🌟 Our bipartisan bill to bring cheaper, cleaner gas to CA just passed the Senate unanimously. Orgulloso to be fighting for your wallet and our environment. #AD80 #TeamAlvarez Learn more at: a80.asmdc.org/press-releas...

Ever wonder what real housing growth looks like? A 2% increase could transform CA - and it's smaller than you think. Think 3-4 parcels per neighborhood. That's it. 🏘️ #AD80 #DreamingBigWorkingHard

🎙️ "When you prevent housing diversity, you're not preserving community - you're ensuring only wealthy people can move in." Powerful insight from @ShanePhillips on last week's Dreaming Big Working Hard podcast. #AD80 #Housing

Mi abuelita always said education opens doors. Today I'm proud to continue that legacy with the Alvarez Family Scholarship, supporting immigrant students in AD80. The deadline to apply is August 31 - apply now at tinyurl.com/Alvarez-Scholarship #SouthBay #DreamingBigWorkingHard

Ever wondered how your own hometown became unaffordable? In our latest podcast episode, Shane Phillips and I dive deep into a reality many families face: when even the neighborhoods others overlook become out of reach. Listen now and share your story. youtu.be/6Yv70ztpOxg #AD80 #SouthBay

On podcast "Dreaming Big Working Hard" - Author Shane Phillips asks us to consider a powerful trade-off: choosing between leaving our kids a $2M home but rarely seeing them, or a $500k home with weekly family time. What would you choose? #AD80 #DreamingBigWorkingHard

"Where will my children live?" It's the question I hear most. Had a powerful convo with housing expert Shane Phillips for the podcast about making homeownership attainable again. Full episode is out right now! 🏡 Watch at youtu.be/6Yv70ztpOxg #DreamingBigWorkingHard"

Assemblymember David Alvarez (@davidalvarezca.bsky.social‬), Chair of Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance, joined our team at Southwestern College for our Commission Retreat!

Standing at the SR-11 completion ceremony, thinking about my dad who crossed this border as a farmworker decades ago. This new Otay Mesa crossing will transform our binational community - cutting wait times and boosting local businesses. Proud of 20 years of partnership making this happen! #SouthBay

🎙️ Just wrapped a great convo about cultural preservation! From protecting Chicano Park's history to our cruising law (AB436), these aren't just traditions - they're living lessons that make our community stronger. Full episode: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cvg... #AD80 www.youtube.com/shorts/9jAep...

Just wrapped up recording the next episode of the #DreamingBigWorkingHard podcast! 🎙️ We’re tackling one of today’s toughest topics: housing affordability. Stay tuned for the drop! #HousingAffordability #CostOfLiving #RealEstate #HousingCrisis

Powerful transformation story from a community leader! From feeling like he was "marking the days like a prisoner" to saying "I'll take on the feds... because I'm not afraid of them anymore." The lesson? Realizing powerful institutions are "just people." Full episode: youtu.be/0cvgEXcmH2Y?...

We're working to bring a 4-year university to Chula Vista. Why? Because our region is growing fast, 25,000+ new jobs coming in the next decade! Did you know? Chula Vista is CA's 2nd largest city without a public university. That needs to change. ✨ LM: www.chulavistauniversity.org #AD80 #ChulaVista

My staff really outdid themselves with this incredible birthday shirt! 😉 They captured me in a truly classic moment — mid-stretch at the Barrio Logan Association's Sonidos Del Barrio concert series recently, attempting some yoga. Proud to support the event and celebrate another trip around the sun.

This is the story of how one of my own staff members found a hidden tracking device in her bag. 😟 The thought of someone spying on you in your own home, car, or luggage is terrifying. It's why we're fighting to pass laws that help police act IMMEDIATELY to find out who's behind this.

Please welcome our newest District Office intern, Anahi Marquez-Silva! A Chula Vista native, Bonita Vista High alum, and current Cal Poly SLO student, she brings incredible experience as a Debate Team Captain and a deep passion for public service. We're thrilled to have her on the team

Ulisez Sanchez grew up in Barrio Logan. One childhood moment — watching firefighters battle a massive blaze from his second-story window — stuck with him for life. “That kind of gave me the bug,” he said.

Josie Talamantez has been protecting Chicano Park for 5+ decades. Hear how she turned protest into policy, and art into a movement. Watch the full episode of Dreaming Big Working Hard on YouTube now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cvg...

Ulisez Sánchez reminded me in our podcast convo that volunteerism is still essential — and that young people often just need an open door. His advice? “Be brave. Take the first step.” There’s always a place for you in this work. 🎧 Full interview now streaming: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4_N...

Born in National City and raised between Tijuana and Southern California, Ernesto brings a powerful binational perspective to our team. This isn't just a job for him; it's a commitment to uplifting the communities he's been a part of his whole life. Welcome, Ernesto!

Talk about a full-circle moment! This is what investing in our youth looks like. The Bomberos De San Diego give a $12K scholarship to students who plan to serve the community. Now, one of their past winners is now a San Diego firefighter, protecting the very community that invested in him.

@davidalvarezca.bsky.social has helped secure funding for @ucsandiego.bsky.social & @SWC_college to team up and bring a Bachelor of Science in Public Health program to the South Bay! Students will now be able to earn a UC degree close to home. @UCSanDiegoSPH #PublicHealth

A big step forward today for a Chula Vista university. My bill, AB662, which establishes a task force to plan the new institution. We are actively writing a new chapter for higher education in the South Bay. Onward to Appropriations. a80.asmdc.org/press-releas...

While firefighters usually see people on their "worst day," their annual Christmas dinner giveaway for 330+ families turns the fire station into a place of pure joy. A perfect example of community-first public service. #SanDiego #PublicSafety #Community #GivingBack youtube.com/shorts/mYr3z...

Did you know San Diego’s Latino firefighters crashed a city meeting to make their voices heard? Catch this inspiring story of how The Bomberos of San Diego was born and how it shaped diversity in our fire service. 🎧 New episode of Dreaming Big Working Hard. Available on Spotify or Apple Podcast.

Proud to have joined leaders at the CA Hydrogen Leadership Summit to highlight the vital role hydrogen plays in California’s clean energy future. I’m committed to helping California achieve its climate goals by building the infrastructure that will make our state a renewable hydrogen hub.

Our guest shared how becoming a firefighter felt like an impossible goal. But then he saw them: Latino chiefs, captains, and engineers. They weren't just in the job; they were leading. That visibility changed everything. It’s a powerful reminder: representation matters!

Happy Birthday to our incredible Chief of Staff, Travis Knowles! 🎂🎉 His leadership, dedication, and tireless work keep us moving forward every day. We’re so grateful for all he does and we wish him the happiest birthday!