July 2020 District Report

A Message from Bill Dodd

Dear Neighbor,

It’s been a summer - and Fourth of July - like never before as we face the ongoing challenge of the coronavirus pandemic. Please continue to avoid large gatherings, wear face masks in public and practice frequent hand washing. These are the keys to avoiding infection and getting our lives and the economy back on track.

This month in the Capitol, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation I co-authored to hold PG&E accountable if it fails to follow wildfire protection guidelines. More than a half-dozen other bills I wrote that have cleared the Senate are awaiting consideration in the Assembly. Among them are my bills to improve access to maternity care and to better alert people to approaching disasters. I’m also co-writing proposals to ensure police accountability.

As always, my staff remains committed to helping you get the state services you deserve. To contact us, please visit my website.

In this Issue:


Sincerely,

alt_text

Bill Dodd
Senator, 3rd District

Back to top

Disaster Preparedness

Last year’s wildfires in Sonoma County and across the state serve as an important reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness. Unfortunately, our district has experienced more than its fair share of natural disasters. Whether it’s a wildfire, an earthquake, or flashflood, families need to make sure they have a plan in place in case a natural disaster happens.

Please take a few minutes to review some of the ways you and your family can be prepared in case there is an emergency. Disaster Preparedness information can be found here.

Back to top

Unclaimed Property

 

The State of California is holding over $8 billion in unclaimed property and money. Do you know how to claim your forgotten property?

California's Unclaimed Property Law requires "holders" such as banks, corporations, California's Unclaimed Property Law requires "holders" such as banks, corporations, business associations, 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.

I encourage you to see if you are owed money by visiting my website or by contacting the State Controller's office at (800) 992-4647. If there are any ways that I can assist you with state agencies or legislative matters, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Back to top

Donate Life California

 

Did you know that only 40 percent of adults in California are signed up to be organ, eye and tissue donors? California ranks first among all states with more than 22,000 men, women and children on the organ transplant waiting list. By becoming an organ and tissue donor, you could give a second chance to tens of thousands of people in California and across the United States.

The facts are:

  • People of all ages and medical histories can be donors.
  • Your medical care and/or funeral arrangements will not be affected by your decision to donate.
  • There is no cost to you or your family for donation.
  • All major religions support or permit organ donation.

You can find more information on registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor at the Donate Life webpage found here.

Back to top

Free Money – Find and Claim Grants Now

Legislation I supported in 2018 requiring the state to establish a central location for all grants has led to the opening of the state’s new Grants Portal, run by the California State Library. Now you can go to the library website, type in key words and have access to more than 100 grants available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Whether you are looking for grants for housing, helping disadvantaged communities or working on the environment, the Grants Portal has something for you. Grants can be obtained by individuals,  businesses, local government agencies, tribal governments or non-profit groups. Currently, there are 113 different grants available totaling more than $18 billion.

Visit the Grants Portal website here.

Back to top

In the News

Here is some of the latest news coverage in the district 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.

Back to top