As the bus carrying Santa Clarita Valley leaders traveled north to the State Capitol, participants on the 17th Annual KHTS Sacramento Road Trip shared the issues they hoped to bring directly to state lawmakers.

The annual trip, organized by KHTS FM 98.1 & AM-1220 in partnership with State Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares, brings a cross-section of community leaders to Sacramento to discuss the policies and funding decisions affecting the Santa Clarita Valley.

This year, many participants said they are focused on raising concerns about education funding, water reliability, housing policy and community resources that directly impact local residents.

Sophia Lesseos | KHTS

Education Leaders

Leticia Hernandez, superintendent of the Newhall School District, said she hopes to hear directly from lawmakers about education funding.

“One of the things I want to hear about is their take on initiatives in education right now, especially Prop. 98,” Hernandez said. “Budget is always one of the main concerns.”

Hernandez noted that rising living costs in the Santa Clarita Valley make it increasingly difficult for school districts to recruit and retain teachers.

“The cost of living is rising, and we want to retain and attract staff,” she said. “If they can’t afford to live in the Santa Clarita Valley or nearby, that is one of my biggest worries.”

Isaiah Talley, a governing board member for the Newhall School District, said education leaders hope lawmakers keep school funding a top priority when shaping state budgets.

“When it comes time for budgets, which we’re very dependent on, we need them to remember us and remember favorably,” Talley said.

Dr. Aakash Ahuja, a William S. Hart Union High School District  board trustee, said he also hopes to discuss policies impacting student mental health and classroom learning.

“Our focus is to help students succeed and improve their overall experience in school,” Ahuja said, pointing to efforts like limiting cell phone use during class and expanding wellness support for students.

College of the Canyons leaders also joined the trip to bring concerns about higher education and the growing needs of the Santa Clarita Valley directly to state lawmakers. 

CA State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara (Sophia Lesseos | KHTS)

Fred Arnold, a trustee for the College of the Canyons board, said the trip allows local leaders to gather information from legislators and advocate for the college. 

“One of the most important things is the diversity of information that I can equip myself with and take back to the college on what’s happening here,” Arnold said. He added that the trip helps build relationships with lawmakers who represent the region. “You meet so many elected officials that are representing our community, and they’re willing to listen to us.” 

Arnold said one concern he hopes lawmakers will bring back to the senate floor is the state funding formula for community colleges, which can make it difficult for growing districts like Santa Clarita to keep up with enrollment increases.

Jasmine Ruys, interim president of College of the Canyons, said the trip highlights how engaged the Santa Clarita community is when it comes to advocating for local issues. 

“This is a place where Santa Clarita kind of gets to show how involved our community is and how much we care about the issues that we’re facing,” Ruys said. 

She said bringing together educators, nonprofit leaders, businesses and elected officials gives the community a stronger voice when speaking with lawmakers. 

“There are so many issues in California right now, but seeing everyone here together shows that our voice matters and that we can make a difference,” she said.

Water Reliability

Water reliability and long-term infrastructure planning were also among the concerns participants said they plan to discuss with legislators.

Maria Gutzeit, board president of the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, said maintaining the region’s water supply remains critical for the valley’s future growth and economy.

State Water Contractors General Manager Jennifer Pierre (Sophia Lesseos | KHTS)

“My main goal for this trip is to emphasize the importance of the State Water Project to Southern California,” Gutzeit said. “Half of Santa Clarita’s water comes from that system.”

SCV Water Concerns Raised in Sacramento:

• Protecting and maintaining the State Water Project, which provides about half of Santa Clarita’s water supply
• Expanding water storage, including reservoirs and groundwater banking
• Moving forward with Delta Conveyance Project infrastructure to deliver water to Southern California
• Speeding up permitting and environmental reviews for major water projects
• Ensuring long-term water reliability as Santa Clarita continues to grow

Bill Cooper of SCV Water said trips like this allow community leaders to bring those concerns directly to policymakers.

City of Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita Mayor Pro Tem Patsy Ayala said she would like legislators in Sacramento to advocate for legislation that better reflects the needs of communities like Santa Clarita.

“It’s important that we maintain the quality of life in Santa Clarita,” Ayala said. “Sometimes laws are written for larger urban cities, but they don’t always work for communities like ours.”

Ayala said issues such as insurance availability in fire-prone areas, housing laws and utility regulations are among the topics she’s concerned about.

Nonprofits 

Nonprofit leaders also said the trip gives them the opportunity to highlight issues affecting local families.

Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (Sophia Lesseos | KHTS)

Matt Nelson, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley, said he hopes to raise awareness about the importance of after-school programs and youth support services.

“We want our representatives to understand how critical those programs are for families,” Nelson said. “They help kids stay connected, supported and on track for the future.”

The KHTS Sacramento Road Trip aims to bring Santa Clarita’s concerns directly to the state leaders who represent the community, while also giving local educators, city officials, nonprofits and business leaders a chance to strengthen the valley’s voice in Sacramento.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.