April 2019 District Report

A Message from Senator Bill Dodd

Dear Neighbor,

Spring is in the air and we’re hard at work on what promises to be a fruitful legislative year here in the Capitol.

Bills are advancing to prevent wildfires, protect the environment and to build more housing. We’re also moving forward on proposals to safeguard seniors and dependent adults from abandonment, to make your transportation dollars go farther and to stop the recent spate of racing horse deaths.

At the same time, we’re continuing to hold public meetings in your area on topics that are important to you. We’ll host two senior issues forums including one in Sonoma on April 26 and another in Rohnert Park on May 3. We’ll also host a mobile home summit in Vallejo on April 28. I look forward to seeing you there.

As always, I am eager to hear your ideas and I am always available to help you get what you need from our state agencies. You can contact me by visiting my website or by calling one of my offices.

In this Issue:

Sincerely,

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Bill Dodd
Senator, 3rd District

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In the News

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Donate Life – Organ Donations Save Lives!

donatelife

I'd like to thank everyone who has registered as an organ donor. If you have not yet signed up as a donor, please consider doing so now, as we kick off national Donate Life Month.

One person's organ donations can save up to eight lives. Cornea donations can restore sight to two people. And tissue donations can heal many others.

The need is urgent:

  • CA ranks first among all states with approximately 23,000 men, women and children on the organ transplant waiting list.
  • Of those on the transplant list in CA, 85% are in need of a life-saving kidney.
  • On average, 22 people die each day in the U.S. (about 7,600 each year) because the organ they needed did not come available for transplant in time.

You can help in the fight to give more people on the waiting list hope that they too will get their second chance at life. I hope you'll consider giving the gift of life by becoming an organ donor.

Learn more or add your name to the state's donor registry by visiting the Donate Life California website.

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Earthquake Safety: April is Earthquake Preparedness Month

Earthquakes are common in California. Surprisingly, many Californians don't consider themselves at risk unless they live on or near the line of a well-known fault, such as the San Andreas or Hayward Fault. However, the Napa Earthquake just 20 months ago was a clear reminder that we need to take simple steps to protect ourselves.

I want to make sure you and your loved ones don't get caught unprepared for the next big quake. For tips on how to prepare for an earthquake, click here.

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Unclaimed Property – California May Owe You Money

The State of California is trying to return $8 billion to its rightful owners. Is some of it yours?

California’s Unclaimed Property Law requires “holders” such as corporations, business associations, financial institutions, and insurance companies to annually report and deliver property to the State Controller’s Office after there has been no customer contact for three years.

Often the owner forgets that the account exists, moves and does not leave a forwarding address, or the forwarding order expires. In some cases, the owner dies and the heirs have no knowledge of the property.

To find potential money, visit the State Controller’s Office and search the Unclaimed Property Database for money that the state may owe you!

When filing a claim form, you will need the following documentation:

  • A copy of current photo identification for each claimant
  • A copy of a Social Security card or a tax identification number for each claimant
  • Verification of reported address if different from current address
  • Specific documentation relating to the type of property, such as original passbook, cashier’s check, stock certificate, etc.

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