Dear Neighbor,

Summer is in full swing and July is National Parks and Recreation Month so make sure to check out your local parks for outdoor programming for the whole family to enjoy, from movie nights to sports events, there are plenty of fun outdoor activities going on in Senate District 33!

At the Capitol, we have had some great legislative victories, including a bill I co-authored—SB 54 to prevent plastic pollution and a bill I supported—AB 1594 to hold irresponsible gun makers liable for the harm their products cause. And although it is summer recess, my team continues working hard, helping me get ready for when the Legislature reconvenes in August.

In the District, I joined our Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) community to announce new job opportunities for youth & young adults and funds for the reconstruction of Lynwood High School. I also met with SELA community leaders to talk about how we can combat human trafficking and youth exploitation, and to explore innovative ways in which we can boost economic growth in the region. Lastly, I had the great honor of celebrating Pride with our LGBTQ+ friends, neighbors and allies across SD33!

In this newsletter, learn about how the Middle Class Tax Refund will work, how to renew your driver’s license or identification card with your photo on file when your appearance has temporarily changed due to a medical condition or treatment, how you can easily file an air quality complaint from your smartphone, or compare electricity rates from providers in your service area. There are also millions of dollars in competitive grants available for eligible entities that help provide recreation programs in LA County.

Happy National Parks & Recreation Month

• July is celebrated as National Parks and Recreation Month, recognizing that parks and recreation build stronger, healthier, more resilient communities. There is plenty to do around Senate District 33, so make sure to check out your local events!
   

News from the Capitol

• The Legislature passed the 2022-23 State Budget and Governor Newsom signed it into law on June 30, 2022. Here’s a summary of what the 2022-23 State Budget includes. Now, the Senate is in summer recess, but we are still hard at work, getting ready for when the Legislature reconvenes in August. We are reviewing all the bills that have made it through the legislative process thus far, and that will be up for a final vote on the floor soon.
• Recently, the Legislature passed SB 54, a bill I co-authored to reduce harmful plastic pollution, specifically, the use of single-use plastic packaging such as utensils, wrappers, bags, lids, cups, plates, and bowls, etc. The bill requires all packaging in the state to be recyclable or compostable by 2032, cutting plastic packaging by 25 percent in 10 years and requiring 65 percent of all single-use plastic packaging to be recycled in the same timeframe. Learn more about SB 54 here.
• Taking new steps to further hold the gun industry accountable, Governor Newsom signed legislation I supported to allow the state, local governments and Californians to sue irresponsible manufacturers and sellers of firearms for the harm caused by their products. Watch the video of Governor Newsom signing AB 1594 here. Read the bill language here.

In the District

• This month, Team Gonzalez had so much great news to celebrate and wonderful events to enjoy with the community. We started off with two big announcements regarding State Budget funds for Senate District 33. First, we announced $750,000 for the City of South Gate and $296,000 for the City of Maywood for the Californians For All Youth Jobs Corps program!
• In addition, we spent a joyful morning celebrating with our Lynwood community the $250 million in funds allocated in the State Budget for the reconstruction of Lynwood High School.
• I also met with Alfred Lomas, Executive Director of Inner City Visions and his amazing staff in the community of Florence-Firestone. We discussed their incredible work serving our local communities to combat human trafficking and youth exploitation.
• We offer our appreciation to the City of Vernon for hosting the Southern California Public Power Authority tour at the Southern California Curling Center. Our office was pleased to attend the event to tour the facilities and discuss innovative ways to boost economic growth in our communities.
• And what amazing Pride celebrations in SD33! Thank you to all who joined us at these great community events to honor the history of the LGBTQ+ movement and to share loud and clear that we will not stop fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, equity and inclusion in our communities!

Resources

Middle Class Tax Refund

• The Middle Class Tax Refund will provide qualified state personal income tax filers with a one-time payment in order to provide relief to Californians. To receive your payment, you must have filed a complete 2020 tax return by October 15, 2021. However, if you applied for an ITIN and had not received it by October 15, 2021, you must have filed your complete 2020 tax return by February 15, 2022.
• Payments are expected to begin going out to individuals by the end of October 2022 and conclude by the middle of January 2023.
• If you qualify, you will receive either a direct deposit payment or a payment by debit card. You will receive your payment by direct deposit if you filed your return electronically and indicated direct deposit on your tax return. Otherwise, you will receive your payment by debit card. Visit the Franchise Tax Board website to determine your payment amount. 

Medical Exception to DL/ID Renewal Photo

• Effective February 1, 2021 the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) allows applicants to request a renewal of their driver’s license or identification card using their photo on file, if available, when their appearance has temporarily changed due to a medical condition or treatment.
• To begin your request, you must contact the DMV via mail or phone, provide basic contact information, and request to use your prior photo because your appearance has temporarily changed due to a medical condition or treatment. The DMV will provide you more information on the specific forms you must submit with your request. If you or someone you know would like assistance with this matter, please reach out to my office directly at (562) 256-7921 or Senator.Gonzalez@senate.ca.gov.

Submit & Track Your Air Quality Complaint

• Did you know you can submit and track air quality complaints directly from your smartphone? The South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) smart phone app showcases a robust complaint reporting feature, allowing users to quickly submit air quality complaints, including photos directly from their smartphone. You can then easily track the status of a submitted complaint through each stage of the process. All the app features are also available via the Spanish version of the app.
• For more information on South Coast AQMD’s mobile app, please visit https://www.aqmd.gov/mobileapp.

CPUC Launches Electric Rate Comparison Website

• The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has launched the first phase of its California Electric Rates Comparison website in order to help consumers make informed choices regarding their electric provider. The website allows consumers to view the residential electric rates for any geographic area in a side-by-side energy provider comparison chart. Find your rates here: https://bit.ly/3Px6BPL.

   

Youth & Young Adult Career Opportunities

• If you are a recent high school graduate or a current college student unsure what to do this fall, City Year can offer you a meaningful gap year. Apply by September 27, 2022. Service begins October 17, 2022. Visit: https://www.cityyear.org/apply-now/.
• California Climate Action Corps Fellows are AmeriCorps Members who serve full-time (for either a two-month summer term or 11-month term) while gaining valuable experience, mentorship, and training. The fellowship connects organizations and agencies with talented, motivated emerging leaders to move the needle on climate change in the community. If you want to make a difference, build a career in the climate field, and join a network of leaders, this is the opportunity for you! To apply visit: https://bit.ly/3o9mqAd.
   

Funding Opportunities for Recreation Programs

• The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) launched two competitive grant programs and will release up to $23 million total in funding opportunities for cities, non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, and other eligible entities for the expansion and creation of new recreation programs. For more information on the competitive grant programs visit the RPOSD website at https://rposd.lacounty.gov.

Top Social Media Posts

Check out my top social media posts below! Remember to follow me @SenGonzalez33 on FB and Twitter for legislative updates, resources, events and much more!
 

As always, if you need any other information or assistance, please contact my office at (562) 256-7921 or send us a message here.

Sincerely,

Lena Gonzalez
33rd State Senate District