Dear Neighbor‚
I hope you’re having a great 2024. The California Legislature has reconvened for the second year of its 2023-24 Legislative Session‚ and one of my biggest focuses is on our state’s budget. California had a massive $100 billion surplus just a few years ago; sadly‚ we are now facing a deficit of nearly $70 billion‚ according to the estimates of the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office. State spending has increased 162 percent over the last ten years‚ and Sacramento Dems have had sole control of every phase of the budget process since 2011.
With such a massive deficit‚ I will be focused on mitigating cuts to vital services‚ while opposing legislation that will create greater financial hardships on Californians and businesses. In fact‚ I recently proposed a bill to provide more tax credits to Californians and help address the homeowners’ insurance crisis. Read about that here.
I’d also like to share with you another bill I authored that will help keep your money in your wallet. The measure seeks to exclude settlement payments made in connection with any declared state of emergency from taxable income. (Similar to my bill last year that prevented taxes on settlement payments made to victims of the Zogg Fire.) You can read more about this year’s bill here.
Additionally‚ I authored a common-sense public safety bill to empower our local law enforcement‚ free up resources‚ and keep our communities safer. Read about my bill here.
I will keep you updated on my legislative package and priorities as we move toward the February 16 deadline to introduce bills. I also wanted you to be aware of a recent proposal I made for the state to stop allowing sexually violent predators to be dumped into our communities on transient status. It was rejected. Read more about it here.
It’s my honor to serve as your State Senator.
Senator Brian Dahle
P.S. Ballots will be mailed out shortly‚ so be sure to exercise your right to vote.
|
Resources/FYI |
**Legislative Democrats Recently Rejected Repeal of Unfair Income-Based Utility Bill Scheme. Read more about it here. In light of this‚ I wanted to share some resources below.
Help with Energy Bills & Purchasing Generators - As energy costs rise‚ there are several programs that can provide assistance with bills‚ as well as provide financial help with medical supplies‚ rebates on energy storage systems‚ and much more.
The California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program and the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) program offer help to reduce energy costs. The CARE program provides a 30-35% discount on electric bills and a 20% discount on natural gas bills for eligible Californians. The FERA program offers an 18% discount on electricity bills for qualifying families.
Assistance through PG&E website:
- Arrearage Management Plan (AMP)
- Budget Billing Program
- Disability Disaster Access and Resources
- Energy Savings Assistance Program
- Generator and Battery Rebate Program
- Medical Baseline Program Eligibility and Benefits
- PG&E Account Information - CARE FERA
- Portable Battery Program
- Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help
- Self-Generation Incentive Program
- Vulnerable Customer Status
Cash for College - Open enrollment for FAFSA has begun! Students can begin applying for financial aid for the 2024-25 academic year. The state priority deadline in California is April 2nd.
Are you interested in becoming an intern? We currently have a limited number of internship opportunities in our Gold River and Redding District Offices as well as in the State Capitol. Click here to find out more or click here to apply today!
Financial Help for Broadband - My office was recently notified that the Affordable Connectivity Program is closing enrollments on February 7th. The program provides eligible households a monthly subsidy to pay for broadband access. Click here to learn more and apply today.
|
At the Capitol |
I was honored to welcome constituents, Larry and Di Harden‚ at the Capitol for a tour and enjoyed getting to discuss legislation I’m introducing this year. I appreciate their commitment to the legislative process and state government.
Team Dahle introduced our first bill of the year! Senate Bill 927 excludes from taxable income‚ settlement payments made in connection with any declared state of emergency made by both the Governor and the President of the United States. Read more about SB 927 here.
I once again had the pleasure of welcoming students from North Cow Creek School at the Capitol for their annual visit. I’m always impressed by their questions and insight on legislation impacting education.
|
In the District |
Team Dahle was proud to help celebrate the groundbreaking at Cascade Village‚ in the City of Shasta Lake. This development will include 49 units of critically needed affordable housing as well as major transportation improvements in the city.
Wireless Wizard Solutions is open for business! Wireless Wizard Solutions specializes in providing prepaid phone services through T-Mobile‚ Verizon‚ and Cricket‚ with plans to introduce AT&T services in the near future. They offer phone screen repair services and smartphone classes. I wish them great success!
My district director‚ Bruce Ross‚ presented a Certificate of Recognition to Allen Knott of K2 Development‚ celebrating the ribbon cutting for Alturas Crossing‚ an apartment complex financed in part though funds designed to replace housing lost in the 2018 Carr Fire‚ whose impacts are still felt in Shasta County.
Staff had the privilege of attending the Glenn County Office of Education Open House at the Orland Success One location. The Orland Success One location is home to Studio129‚ an innovative space dedicated to teaching students the particulars of working within a recording studio. Click the link to find out more: Success One! Student Orientation (youtube.com).
Congratulations to the Glenn County Office of Education on their grand opening of the Adult Program-Success One Charter in Willows. The Success One Charter for Adults focuses specifically on diploma or equivalency attainment. Many of these classes are free‚ and sponsorship opportunities are available for the classes that aren’t. Their adult programs serve residents of Glenn‚ Butte‚ Colusa‚ and Tehama counties. Click the link to find out more: Success One! Student Orientation (youtube.com).