Matthew’s Priorities for District 9

Investing in Education that Works for Everyone

A strong education system is the foundation of a thriving community and economy. In Assembly District 9, we must ensure that every student, from preschool to post-secondary, is equipped with the tools to succeed in today’s world and tomorrow’s workforce.

Early Childhood Education:
The data is clear: early learning sets the stage for lifelong success. I support expanding access to high-quality early childhood education, especially in underserved areas of our district. Investing in our youngest learners gives every child a fair start and reduces achievement gaps before they widen.

Career and Technical Education (CTE):
Not every student follows the same path, and our education system should reflect that. We must expand access to vocational and technical training in our high schools to prepare students for high-paying, in-demand careers. Whether it’s skilled trades, healthcare, agriculture, or technology, students should graduate with real-world skills that open doors, with or without a college degree.

College Access and Affordability:
Higher education should be a gateway, not a burden. I support efforts to reduce the cost of community college and public universities, expand financial aid, and eliminate hidden fees that weigh students down. Every student who wants to attend college should have that opportunity, without taking on a lifetime of debt.

Smaller Class Sizes, Better Outcomes:
Teachers do their best work when they can give students the attention they deserve. That’s why I support reducing class sizes, especially in the early grades and in schools facing the greatest challenges. Smaller classes mean more individualized instruction, better classroom management, and improved outcomes.

21st-Century Skills for a 21st-Century Economy:
It’s not enough to teach students how to take tests. We need to teach them how to think critically, collaborate, adapt, and solve problems. That means investing in modern classrooms, STEM education, digital literacy, and hands-on learning opportunities that reflect the realities of the global economy.

Advocating for Universal Access 

I will tirelessly champion policies that ensure universal health coverage for all Californians, working towards a system where financial barriers do not prevent anyone from receiving necessary medical care

Prioritizing Mental Health Services 

California currently provides fewer general physical and mental health services than almost any other state. This is a critical gap, as mental health issues significantly impact individual well-being and, for students, can lead to lost achievement.  I will advocate for increased resources and training for professionals to handle mental health crises with sensitivity and expertise, and support strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and mental health professionals to ensure individuals receive appropriate care. Expanding accessible mental health support within community settings is essential.

Ensuring Healthcare for Our Veterans

We owe a profound debt of gratitude to our veterans. It is imperative that we ensure they have access to the education, job training, and health care programs they need and have earned.

Expanding Community-Based Care

Innovative solutions are vital for breaking down barriers to care. I support models that establish accessible healthcare services within community settings, which can provide comprehensive care, including mental health access, primary care, and dental services, to students and the broader community.

Making Healthcare Truly Affordable

Beyond just access, the affordability of healthcare is paramount. I will fight for policies that alleviate the financial burden on individuals and families, ensuring that quality healthcare is a reality for every Californian, regardless of their financial situation.

A Housing-First Approach

We can’t end homelessness without housing. The most effective and compassionate way to reduce homelessness is through a housing-first model, one that gets people off the streets and into permanent, stable housing without unnecessary barriers. From there, we can connect them with the wraparound services they need to rebuild their lives, including mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and workforce training.

I will fight to increase funding for permanent supportive housing across our district and ensure that housing-first programs are paired with local outreach efforts that meet people where they are.

Investing in Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment

Too often, homelessness is driven by untreated mental illness or addiction, and our current system isn’t equipped to respond. As your Assemblymember, I will work to expand access to behavioral health care, especially for unsheltered individuals.

This includes:

• More crisis response teams trained in mental health intervention
  
  

• Long-term treatment beds and outpatient care
  
  

• Stronger collaboration between counties, providers, and nonprofits to provide continuity of care instead of short-term fixes
  
  

We must stop criminalizing mental illness and start treating it like the public health crisis it is.

Preventing Homelessness Before It Starts

Keeping people housed is far more effective, and humane, than trying to help them once they’ve fallen into crisis. I support expanded rental assistance, eviction defense, and emergency housing support to help families stay in their homes.

I will also push for:

• State-level investments in eviction prevention programs
  
  

• Stronger tenant protections and mediation services
  
  

• Early intervention for people exiting foster care, prisons, or the military, who are at high risk of homelessness
  
  

Let’s stop homelessness at the root, before it begins.

Local Solutions, State Support

Every community in California is affected by homelessness, but no two communities are the same. As your Assemblymember, I will advocate for flexible state funding that empowers local governments and nonprofit organizations to lead with compassion, innovation, and accountability.

That means:

• Cutting red tape that slows down shelter and housing development
  
  

• Supporting public-private partnerships that create long-term housing solutions
  
  

• Backing cities and counties with resources, not just mandates
  
  

Homelessness is a statewide emergency, and Sacramento must be a strong and steady partner in helping our region respond.

Dignity, Not Displacement

People experiencing homelessness are still people, parents, veterans, seniors, young people, many of whom fell into crisis through no fault of their own. I believe in treating every individual with dignity, even while we enforce public safety and cleanliness in our neighborhoods.

We need real solutions, not just sweeps. I’ll push for compassionate, coordinated outreach teams that connect unhoused people with shelter and services, and I’ll work to expand shelter capacity that’s safe, clean, and built to transition people toward permanent housing.

Protecting Water, Defending Agriculture

Water is everything in our district. It fuels our farms, sustains our communities, and shapes our economy. As your representative in the State Assembly, I will stand firm in defense of our water, property, and privacy rights, because when outside interests try to control our most vital resource, we all lose.

Defending Local Water Rights:
I will oppose any effort that threatens our region’s ability to access the water we need to grow food, raise livestock, and keep our communities healthy. That means rejecting heavy-handed state mandates, confusing new regulations, and lawsuits that tie the hands of farmers, ranchers, and rural residents. We need smart water policy, not more red tape.

No to the Delta Tunnels:
The proposed Delta Conveyance Project (or “Delta Tunnels”) is a bad deal for our region. It puts our environment, our economy, and our clean water at risk, all to benefit powerful interests hundreds of miles away. I stand with the bipartisan coalition of local leaders, farmers, and environmental advocates who oppose this project. I’ll work instead to promote water solutions that serve all Californians, not just the biggest voices in Southern California.

Modernizing and Strengthening Water Infrastructure:
Instead of building billion-dollar boondoggles, we should be investing in smart, community-centered infrastructure, like new water storage, upgraded canals, improved levees to protect against flooding, and technology to monitor and improve water quality. I will push for funding that brings real results to our region, from drought resilience to water recycling and groundwater recharge.

Supporting a Sustainable Agricultural Future:
Our farmers feed the nation, and they deserve leaders who understand their challenges. I will fight to protect farmland from overdevelopment, support fair market conditions for family farms, and promote sustainable agriculture practices that balance productivity with environmental stewardship. I’ll also champion programs that help the next generation of farmers succeed, including land access, technical assistance, and water reliability.