April 2020 District Report

A Message from Bill Dodd

Dear Neighbor,

The coronavirus pandemic is causing a public health crisis like never before, forcing us to pause our daily lives. Thanks to you, California is slowing the infection rate by social distancing and staying home, ensuring we get through it as quickly and safely as possible. Please keep it up.

Lawmakers are working with local and federal government to make resources available to assist you. Below are links to key programs for small business owners and people seeking unemployment benefits, among others.

Also in this newsletter is a reminder to complete the 2020 Census. It’s easy to do and it will ensure we get the federal money and congressional representation we deserve.

As always, I am standing by to help. Please visit my website to find contact information for my office nearest you.

In this Issue:

Sincerely,

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Bill Dodd
Senator, 3rd District

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COVID-19 Update and Resources

In the North Bay, we’ve weathered earthquakes, wildfires, power shutoffs, flooding and now, the coronavirus. We will survive this latest disaster just as we did the others. A key to doing so is following public health directives to stay home to limit the spread and reduce the strain on hospitals. Wear a mask when you must go out and wash hands regularly. Our efforts are working as our state and region experience some of the lowest infection rates in the nation.

The temporary shutdown of our economy has put many people out of work. It is threatening small businesses and poses questions for our educational system. If you are affected, there are resources available to help you. Below are a few key programs. A full list can be found on my website.

 

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Census 2020 – Be Counted, California!

Every 10 years we do a national headcount. The tally is used to determine how much federal money is needed in each state to pay for things like roads, education and health care services. It also decides our political representation in Congress. As the population grows, we get more money and power. If it shrinks, we get less. That’s why an accurate count is so important. Everyone must be counted, regardless of who you are. All information is confidential.

Completing the census is very easy to do. It only takes a few minutes to go online and fill out the questionnaire. You can also do it by phone or mail. While we are staying at home to reduce coronavirus infections, it’s a good way to spend a little time. 

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Women of the Year

Over the past month, we’ve recognized women in each of the district’s six counties who have made outstanding contributions to their communities. The annual honor is tied to National Women’s History month. Congratulations to this year’s recipients (click on their names to learn more about them):

Peggy Cohen-Thompson: President of the Solano County Board of Education, longtime advocate for African-American business and Vallejo civic leader.

Andrea “Andi” M. Clarke:  Physician-in-charge at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Offices in Napa and board member of Mentis, a nonprofit mental health group serving low-income families.

Dawn Block: Owner of an executive search firm who has served Pleasant Hill and greater Contra Costa County on boards for the John Muir Land Trust and Chamber of Commerce

Janet Ruggiero: Led a distinguished career as a community development director in Yolo and Sacramento counties before applying her skills in her retirement to helping the homeless and creating housing.

Sheila Bride: Petaluma businesswoman who applied her passion for healthy eating to fighting chronic hunger and helping those in need in southern Sonoma County.

Jean Yokotobi: Devoted her retirement to promoting her Sacramento County town of Isleton and preserving the delta community’s Chinese- and Japanese-American heritage.

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Donate Life – Organ Donations Save Lives!

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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In the News

Here are some of the latest news stories that may be of interest to you. As always, please contact my office if you have any questions about state policy or want to express your position or ideas for legislation.

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