District Report - February 2022

A Message from Bill Dodd
 

Dear Neighbor,

With COVID-19 transmission rates falling across California, the state this month lifted its indoor mask mandate in a promising sign of recovery. Thanks to each of you who contributed to this milestone by getting vaccinated.

February is Black History Month when we celebrate the history and contributions of African Americans. Let’s also take time out to recognize what still needs to be done in the continuing struggle for civil rights.

Please join me March 22 at my next virtual town hall on insurance. My guest will be California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, who will answer your questions about auto, home and health insurance.

As always, my office is available to help you with a state agency or answer any questions you might have. You can contact me by visiting my website.

In this Issue:

Sincerely,

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Bill Dodd
Senator, 3rd District
 


Free Tax Help/Earned Income Tax Credit

Tax Day, April 18, is fast approaching. You may qualify for tax credits or free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, which is supported by the Franchise Tax Board.

You may qualify for tax credits. California’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program will benefit millions of low income working families and can result in thousands of dollars for qualifying families. Each year millions of dollars in tax credits go unclaimed, so see if you’re eligible.

For a list of upcoming workshops, please click here. I urge you to call the contact numbers listed to verify your eligibility, make appointments, and to learn what documentation may be required.

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Black History Month

We celebrate Black History Month amid a series of firsts – our country has elected its first African American vice president and we now have the first Black secretary of defense. In California, the first African American secretary of state recently took office. More and more, the diversity of our nation is reflected in our leadership.

I am pleased to see this, just as I was proud four years ago to join my colleagues in the Legislative Black Caucus to vote for Senate Resolution 70, recognizing February as Black History Month.

The first observances go back to 1926, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson established a one-week reflection on African American history. Fifty years later, the United States adopted it as a monthlong event.

Today, Black History Month is observed all over America, as schools, churches and communities honor the countless contributions that African Americans have made to our society.

We’ve made much progress in raising awareness of the issue of equity and discrimination but there is still so much work to do.

I encourage you to join me in reflecting on the immense contributions African Americans have made to our nation and to dedicate ourselves to continuing the fight for civil rights, equal opportunity and prosperity that so many African Americans have fought for over the centuries. You can learn more about African American history here.

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Work for Warriors Helps Employers and Veterans


California’s Work for Warriors program matches employers with highly trained veterans who are ready to leave the military for civilian life. For more on how we can help serve those who have served us or how veterans can connect with job resources, click here

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My Legislation

I have been at work in the Capitol this month on a variety of measures to address the coronavirus pandemic and other critical areas such as climate resilience, healthcare and wildfire safety.

The following are highlights of my legislative package:

Senate Bill 846: Boost previous relief for restaurants and bars struggling to recover from the pandemic by expanding provisions of the new law (Dodd, 2021) allowing the sale and delivery of to-go cocktails.

SB 852: Addresses the effects of climate change, including sea-level rise and wildfire, through creation of resilience districts to undertake and promote conservation efforts.

SB 856: Controls California’s destructive wild pig population by expanding hunting opportunities.

SB 872: Authorizes the creation of mobile pharmacy vans to bring medication and counseling to California’s hard-to-reach communities, improving health for homeless people and many others who have inadequate access to care.

SB 896: Encourage creation of defensible space, protecting life and property from California’s worsening wildfires.

SB 926: Enhances wildfire prevention in California through implementation of a $20 million prescribed fire claims fund.

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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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