Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson) has called on Governor Newsom to stop the attack on rural cities in the Central Valley. In a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom demanding he immediately withdraw threats of legal action against the cities of Patterson, Oakdale, and Turlock in Stanislaus County, Alvarado-Gil states, “Issuing bullyish ultimatums and leveraging media to publicly shame and slander Central Valley cities fails to acknowledge the financial disparities between rural California and the bloated resources allotted to urban centers.”
These cities in Senate District 4, recently received “final warnings” and Notices of Violation from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) regarding their 6th Cycle Housing Elements.
California law requires every city and county to regularly update its Housing Element, the part of the local general plan that explains how the community will meet its fair share of the region’s housing needs at all income levels: very low, low, moderate, and above-moderate. The 6th Cycle covers the planning period from 2023 to 2031. Jurisdictions must identify land for new housing, remove development barriers, and adopt programs to encourage construction. Noncompliance can trigger state enforcement, including potential lawsuits by the Attorney General.
On March 25, 2026, HCD issued Notices of Violation to 15 jurisdictions statewide including Patterson, Oakdale, and Turlock received a notice.
Senator Alvarado-Gil criticized the state’s heavy-handed approach for ignoring rural Central Valley realities, including skyrocketing construction and labor costs, severe water and sewer shortages, excessive state fees, and CEQA delays. These communities are vital to California’s agriculture and manufacturing economy yet face unfunded mandates.
“I write as the representative of the people of California’s Central Valley communities in the cities of Patterson, Oakdale, and Turlock with one simple but urgent request: stop threatening our towns with unnecessary legal action and start working with us on real housing solutions,” wrote Senator Alvarado-Gil.
She added: “Governor, it’s not too late to choose leadership over litigation. Choose to immediately withdraw these frivolous threats of litigation and step up for the people of California.”
Senator Alvarado-Gil noted that these threats waste taxpayer dollars, erode trust, and fail to build homes. She offered to convene a working group of local leaders to remove real barriers and provide targeted incentives and streamlined permitting for communities actively seeking compliance.
Local progress continues despite challenges: Turlock submitted its draft in 2025 and is addressing feedback; Patterson and Oakdale are advancing plans to meet their targets; and Merced County has submitted revised drafts.
“Residents in Senate District 4 and neighboring Central Valley areas want practical, locally driven solutions that support working families and the middle class, not unrealistic top-down mandates,” she emphasized.
Her office will continue to be a fierce advocate for realistic approaches that respect the unique needs of rural and agricultural communities.