Dear Neighbor,
Do you have a plan to vote for the November 8th General Election? If you do, thank you for taking steps to make your voice heard on important issues that impact us all! If you don’t, not to worry, there is still time! Keep reading for information on how to vote, updates on the great work happening for Senate District 33, and key dates and resources you should know about.
At the Capitol, my team is researching new legislative ideas for our 2023 legislative package. So if you have ever thought, there ought to be a law for a particular issue or topic, please make sure to share your bill ideas with me. Although the Legislature is in recess, my legislative work continues and recently, I was proud to partner with over thirty members of the California Legislature to submit a letter to California Air Resources Board to advance our transition to a zero-emission freight system and prevent labor exploitation in the trucking industry.
In the District, I presented $3 million in funds for the renovation of Riverfront Park in Maywood, $3.5 million for the renovation of Clara Street Park in Cudahy, $5 million for the revitalization of the Signal Hill Amphitheater and $1.2 million for the Wrigley Greenbelt in Long Beach. My team and I also provided a State of the District update in the city of Bell, welcomed new businesses, and participated in health, LGBTQ+ History Month, and environmental awareness events.
Have you heard? President Biden's one-time student loan debt forgiveness program application is now online! Take some time to see if you qualify today! Also, new funding is available through the Clean California Local Grant Program (CCLGP) to help beautify public spaces. For jobseekers, LA County offers the Pandemic Relief Rapid Reemployment (PRRR) program to help people impacted by COVID-19. Recently, individuals ages 5 and older became eligible for updated COVID-19 boosters. Lastly, Medicare Open Enrollment began this month and will run through December 7th!
Make Sure You Have a Plan to Vote!
- Your vote is your voice, so make your voice heard and turn your ballot in!
- Registering To Vote: The deadline to register to vote was October 24, 2022. If you missed the deadline, you still have an opportunity to vote in the General Election. You may visit your county elections office, a vote center, or a satellite office designated by your county elections official during the 14 days prior to, and including Election Day to conditionally register to vote and vote on a provisional ballot. This process is called Same Day Voter Registration.
- How To Vote By Mail: All registered voters in Los Angeles County will be mailed a Vote by Mail ballot. Vote in the safety of your home by returning your Vote by Mail ballot. There are multiple options on how to return your ballot: by mail, no postage is necessary; at any participating Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Box location; and at any Vote Center in L.A. County.
- How to Track your Ballot: Receive personalized text messages, emails and/or automated voice messages on your Vote by Mail ballot by subscribing to Where's My Ballot. This is a free service available to all registered voters that gives you updated information on where your ballot is and when you can expect to receive it.
- Find Your Vote Center: Voters in Los Angeles County have the option to cast their ballot in person at a participating Vote Center in an upcoming election. Vote Centers also serve as a Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Box location – no need to wait, simply drop off your completed ballot at the front.
News from the Capitol
- On October 17, I was proud to partner with over thirty members of the California Legislature to submit a letter to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to advance our transition to a zero-emission freight system and prevent labor exploitation in the trucking industry. Specifically, in the letter I ask CARB to require one-hundred percent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2036 and to further reduce toxic emissions from heavy-duty vehicles and address truck driver misclassification.
- All legislation starts off as an idea. These ideas can come from anybody and the process begins when either an individual or group encourages a Member of the Legislature to author a bill, for example, myself as your State Senator. Now is a great time to share your bill ideas with me as my team continues research for our upcoming 2023 Legislative Bill Package.
In the District
- I was proud to present over $12 million in funds for projects throughout Senate District 33! These investments will help improve park amenities for recreation, provide sustainable greenery to reduce air pollution, and overall help better meet the needs of residents.
- On October 7, I toured FuelCell Energy’s Trigeneration Project at the Port of Long Beach. This project will directly reduce localized pollution at the Port and in the whole South Coast region. As Chair of the Select Committee on Ports and Goods Movement I am happy to see us moving toward clean energy and reducing emissions in transportation.
- My team and I were happy to celebrate the achievements of over eight small businesses this month, from fitness gyms to new restaurants, gift shops, swap meets, pet stores and more our local economy is growing and thriving thanks to the dedicated efforts of Senate District 33 entrepreneurs! Congratulations to all!
- On October 15, my office was excited to celebrate the grand opening of Parque Dos Rios located along the lower LA River in the City of South Gate. This greenspace project creates a new upland habitat incorporating native vegetation. Thank you to all the great organizations that helped make this happen!
- On October 17, we were happy to participate in Los Angeles Unified’s ribbon cutting for its newest wellness center on the New Charles Drew Middle School campus, located in the Florence-Firestone area of South Los Angeles, which provides free mental and medical health services. It is great to celebrate with LAUSD their continued work and dedication to serving our families and community.
- On October 22, I had the honor of congratulating the 2022 inductees to the Rainbow Wall at Harvey Milk Park in Long Beach where they will be forever honored for their immense contributions to our LGBTQ+ community in the State of California
Applications Open for Federal Student Debt Relief
- It's finally here! President Biden's one-time student loan debt forgiveness program application is now online. Individuals who make less than $125,000 a year (or $250,000 per household) are eligible for up to $10,000 in loan forgiveness, while Pell Grant recipients, typically awarded to low-income students, are eligible for up to $20,000 in forgiveness. Apply today (but no later than Dec. 31, 2023) at studentaid.gov.
Grants to Beautify Public Spaces
- You can provide the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) feedback on updates to the Clean California Local Grant Program guidelines at their first public workshop. The program provides communities with funding to beautify and improve public spaces including roads, parks and more! The workshop will take place Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 1:00 PM. To register click here, and for more information on the program visit the Clean California Local Grant Program page.
Pandemic Relief Rapid Reemployment (PRRR) Program
- Did COVID impact your employment status? Find your next opportunity! Through the Pandemic Relief Rapid Re-Employment Program, LA County residents can access work readiness training, on-the-job training, transitional opportunities, supportive services, and more. Participants will be connected to a Career Pathways Advisor who will guide applicants every step of the way. Businesses interested in career ready candidates can also receive immediate help. Learn more here.
Updated COVID-19 Boosters Available for Ages 5+
- The updated COVID-19 booster is now available for everyone ages 5+! Get boosted to keep yourself and your family safer with the most protective doses yet. Find updated boosters for ages 5+ at http://MyTurn.ca.gov, your pharmacy, or health care provider.
Medicare Open Enrollment
- Helping someone compare Medicare plans? Medicare Open Enrollment began this month and will run through December 7th! During Medicare Open Enrollment, you can review the costs and covered benefits of Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans and make changes to best meet your needs for the upcoming year. Browse Medicare coverage options and find 2023 plans at http://Medicare.gov/plan-compare. You can also get 24/7 assistance at 1-800-MEDICARE.
As always, if you need any other information or assistance, please contact my office at (562) 256-7921 or send us a message here. Wishing you happy Fall festivities!
Sincerely,
Lena Gonzalez
33rd State Senate District