Press Releases

Congressman Salud Carbajal’s (CA-24) legislation to formally rename the U.S. Post Office on E. Battles Road in Santa Maria in honor of Larry Lavagnino — the City’s former Mayor, City Councilmember, and longtime resident — advanced out of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform by a unanimous vote and now moves to the House Floor for consideration by the full U.S. House of Representatives.

“Proud to see my bill to rename the Santa Maria Post Office in Honor of Mayor Larry Lavagnino passed out of committee and now moving to the House Floor,” said Rep. Carbajal. “Having worked closely with Mayor Lavagnino throughout his extensive career in local government, I can confidently say that this recognition is a fitting testament to his decades of dedicated public service to Santa Maria and the Central Coast.”

"I'm deeply honored and humbled,” said Mayor Larry Lavagnino. “I know there are many more deserving of this recognition but I am also very excited for my entire family. I only wish my mom and dad were around to witness this."

“Moving any piece of federal legislation isn't easy so I'm extremely grateful to Salud and his staff for getting this through committee. I can't wait to see my dad's face when we finally unveil the new sign,” said Supervisor Steve Lavagnino.

Larry Lavagnino served as Mayor of Santa Maria from 2002 to 2012, and as a Member of the Santa Maria City Council from 1996 to 2002.

During his time as Mayor, Santa Maria saw a significant number of improvements and additions, including a new library, multiple new fire stations, a new transit center, a new police department building, the expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment plant, and the widening of Santa Maria River Bridge and Highway 101.

On top of the above improvements during his tenure, Mayor Lavagnino was also able to help secure more than $46 million in federal funding for improvements to the Santa Maria River Levee, which protects thousands of homes and businesses in the area. He also helped bring about the Abel Maldonado Youth Center, which continues to provide a safe and welcoming space for teens.

Lavagnino is a graduate of Santa Maria Union High School and Allan Hancock College, and still lives four houses down from the Santa Maria home that he grew up in.

The legislation was unveiled in January of 2024 at Santa Maria City Hall with Santa Barbara County Supervisor, and son of the longtime Mayor, Steve Lavagnino, and current Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino.