January 2020 District Report

A Message from Bill Dodd

Dear Neighbor,

Here’s to a happy new year and a productive decade!

I introduced bills this month to streamline the insurance claims process in disasters such as wildfires, encourage city-centered growth and bring additional safeguards to the horse racing industry. Other proposals help our most vulnerable people, local government and schools during public safety power shutoffs.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has drafted his budget, which invests further in emergency preparedness, alleviating homelessness and bolstering public education. I look forward to working with him on it and passing along input from you. As always, I will remain frugal with your tax dollars with a goal of maintaining one of the largest rainy day funds in state history.

As a reminder, I am hosting a senior forum Feb. 28 in Pleasant Hill. Please stop by and join the conversation.

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

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Paying for College – Grants Available

The application period for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), 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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Small Business Resources & Tax Credits

When small business thrives, California thrives. California’s 3.4 million small businesses are critical to the state’s economy. As a small business owner for over 25 years, I know that starting and maintaining a small business can be challenging.

To help support these businesses, the legislature has compiled valuable resources available for those currently in business and for those looking to do business in California, which you can access here.

The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) will be accepting applications from businesses that plan to add jobs and/or make new investments in California. The state will be awarding up to $200 million in tax credits this fiscal year to small, medium and large companies across the state.

I hope to see local businesses take advantage of this opportunity and apply for these state resources through the California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC). $75 million will be available during this next application round, which takes place from March 7, 2016 through March 28, 2016. More information is available on the Go-Biz website.

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Free Tax Prep Day 2020

Do you need help with your taxes? You are not alone. The California Society of Enrolled Agents will offer free tax assistance Feb. 11 in my Napa district office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Our address is 2721 Napa Valley Corporate Drive. A Spanish-speaking tax preparer will be on hand to assist Spanish speakers. Call my Napa office for details at 707-224-1990.

Free tax assistance will be offered at other locations around the North Bay. For more information email info@CSEA.org or call 800-TaxPro-5

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Public Safety Power Shutoffs

Only as a last resort should utility companies such as Pacific Gas & Electric be allowed to turn off electric power to prevent wildfires. Last year’s shutoffs proved to be a complete disaster. I heard from you about it at town halls this fall in Napa and Sonoma.

Here’s a clip from the Sonoma event:

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Overview of Governor’s Proposed Budget

Earlier this month, Gov. Newsom submitted his 2020-21 state budget proposal to the Legislature. It makes responsible investments in the state’s economic future while tackling head-on persistent challenges facing the state.

Highlights of the governor’s proposed $222.2 billion budget include:

$1 billion emergency response budget with millions for wildfire prevention and response, including almost $9 million for implementing Sen. Dodd’s SB 209, creating the California Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center
$84 billion for K-12 education funding which will support teacher retention and training; $786 million for higher education to increase enrollment and degree completion
More than $1 billion to address homelessness and billions more to improve and expand the state’s housing stock
$21 billion in total reserves including $18 billion rainy with a commitment to avoid one-time revenue for ongoing expenses.

The budget must be passed by the Legislature by June 15 and signed by the governor by July 1.

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