Cortese’s SCR 129 Honoring Rusty Areias Clears Senate

Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

I’d like to share that I have introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 129 (SCR 129) to honor the remarkable legacy and public service career of former California Assemblymember Rusty Areias by designating a portion of HWY 152 as the “Rusty Areias Highway.” SCR 129 has made it out of the Senate and is now being referred to the Assembly for further review and consideration. View Senator Cortese’s Senate Floor Session remarks on SCR 129 here.

Approved by my Senate Transportation Committee colleagues, SCR 129 advances our efforts to recognize a leader whose impact on California transportation, agriculture, parks, and regional development continues to be felt today. I’m also honored that this resolution has received bipartisan support from 21 legislative co-authors.

Rusty Areias represented the Central Coast and portions of the Central Valley in the State Assembly from 1982 to 1994, where he earned a reputation as a pragmatic and effective legislator. During his tenure, he authored more than 100 bills signed into law under two Republican governors and played a pivotal role on transportation policy that still benefits Californians today.

One of his most significant accomplishments was securing $150 million for critical improvements to State Route 152 over Pacheco Pass Highway once known as “Blood Alley” — a major transportation corridor connecting the San Joaquin Valley to the southern Bay Area. Those investments strengthened agricultural commerce, improved commuter travel, enhanced public safety, and have supported regional trade for generations.

Following his service in the Legislature, Governor Gray Davis appointed Rusty as Director of the California Department of Parks and Recreation. In that role, he helped secure the passage of $6 billion in park bonds to invest in park and wildlife maintenance statewide. He also reduced park fees by half, increasing attendance at California state parks by more than 23 million visitors and expanding access to some of our state’s greatest natural treasures.

Here in Santa Clara County, Rusty’s legacy is also deeply connected to Martial Cottle Park. His leadership was instrumental in securing the farmland that preserved nearly 300 acres in the heart of an urban area, creating the unique agricultural and educational community space enjoyed by residents today.

This resolution is also personally meaningful to me. Rusty served in the Assembly alongside my father, former Assemblymember Dominic L. Cortese, during a transformative era in California policymaking. Their shared commitment to public service and improving the lives of working families left a lasting mark on our state.

Honoring Rusty Areias with this highway designation is a fitting tribute to a public servant whose work improved transportation infrastructure, protected open space, strengthened our parks, and helped shape California for the better.

Sincerely,

Dave Cortese, Senator
California State Senate – District 15