District Report - January 2022

A Message from Bill Dodd
 

Dear Neighbor,

I wish you and your family a happy New Year. May 2022 bring you peace and prosperity.

In Sacramento, I am at work on initiatives to help our communities thrive. Proposals on pandemic relief, increasing wildfire safety, assisting people with disabilities and combating climate change are all part of my bill package. Also, in partnership with Gov. Gavin Newsom, my legislative partners and I are planning key investments in essential services such as public education.

I look forward to your input. Please join me at my next virtual town hall on Feb. 15. I’ll be talking to Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin and other panelists about transportation challenges and solutions as we respond to the effects of global warming.

In this Issue:

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.

Sincerely,

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Bill Dodd
Senator, 3rd District
 


Overview of Governor’s Proposed Budget
 

Gov. Newsom’s 2022-2023 budget makes a substantial investment in Covid-19 response and recovery while supporting essential services including schools, wildfire safety, housing and homelessness mitigation.

I look forward to working with the governor and my legislative colleagues to build on this plan in the months ahead. Highlights of the $286 billion budget include:

  • $34.6 billion in total reserves
  • $22.5 billion for combating the climate crisis
  • $2.7 billion to address the Covid-19 pandemic
  • $17 million for earthquake early warning
  • $1.2 billion for better forest management of combustible fuels
  • $750 million for drought relief
  • $2 billion to address homelessness by creating behavioral health housing/cleaning up encampments in addition to $12 billion in this year’s budget
  • $285 million to address organized retail theft
  • $30 million for real-time data and mutual aid coordination supporting Sen. Dodd’s Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Center
  • $1.8 million to support creation of Wildfire Technology Office of Research and Development created by Sen. Dodd’s SB 109

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California Completes Tax Credit and Grants
 

On March 7, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development will open another round of applications for the California Competes Tax Credit and California Competes Grant.

There are $140 million in tax credits and $120 million in grants available during this application period for businesses that are expanding and adding quality, full-time jobs in California that might not otherwise be created by the business or any other business.

The deadline for the first round was Jan. 24 but a second round will open March 7 with a deadline to apply of March 28. Get started early for this important opportunity.

Online Application: www.calcompetes.ca.gov

 

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Paying for College – Grants Available
 

The application period for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is required to access most financial aid, is now open.  Paying for college can be difficult, but California has always been a leader in providing eligible students with an affordable college education.


The Cal Grant is a need-based state financial aid program that has been a big part of making college affordable for many California families. Qualified students can receive up to $12,630 in funding to attend almost any college in California – awards vary depending on economic need, grades and the college you attend.

Don't delay! The deadline to apply is March 2. For more information or to file your application, visit the California Student Aid Commission.

Undocumented students meeting certain criteria can apply for student aid through the California Dream Act program.

Additionally, we passed AB 19 in 2017, creating the California Community College Promise Program to provide tuition-free education at a Community College for one academic year for all first-time, full-time students. To learn more, click here.

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In the News
 

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