People from in and around Humboldt gathered to get answers to burning questions from Senator Mike McGuire.
The Senate President Pro Tempore was joined by Humboldt County Board of Supervisors’ Natalie Arroyo and City of Eureka Mayor Kim Bergel.
“I think it’s really important. Senator McGuire is such a dynamic person and it’s nice for him to be here to advocate for our community needs,” Bergel said.
McGuire brought forward the issues Humboldt residents hoped to be brought up from affordable housing to healthcare.
Other issues addressed were the need to prepare for the climate crisis by switching to green energy with offshore wind.
McGuire is no stranger to the community, having done town halls up and down Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
“There is nothing better than working with this amazing community on the town hall. We talked some of the top issues facing our community, homelessness, we talked about inflation, good discussion on insurance, and access to healthcare. I’m just grateful for this amazing opportunity to work in the Senate,” McGuire said.
McGuire also strives to make sure rural areas are still taken care of amid political struggle.
“First and foremost, I believe this country has become hyper-partisan. Democrats don’t talk to Republicans, Republicans don’t talk to Democrats. We spend too much arguing with each other on Twitter and other forms of social media,” McGuire said.
Rural California has been hit by many issues plaguing the nation.
“If you take a look at the top issues that face this state, you take a look at the top issues that face this nation, opioid addiction homelessness, mental health, and disparities when it comes to healthcare. Per capita, the largest challenges exist in rural California.”
McGuire hopes that more people will listen and reach out to rural California once more.
“And that’s why California needs to make significant investments so rural communities can have access to living wage jobs, access to healthcare, and good schools for their kids,” McGuire said. “I’ve been up and down this road eating too many gas station hot dogs. Whether you’re in Eureka or Encino, the priorities are the same. That’s why I firmly believe we need to deliver for humboldt county and rural California.”
