Dear Neighbor, 

Last Friday was the end of the 2021 legislative session and I am thrilled to share that seven of my bills have been sent to the Governor’s desk! These bills will help advance digital equity, help protect workers at our ports and across many industries through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, increase access to safe and affordable drinking water, and help advance clean transportation to reduce emissions and combat climate change in our state.

I know that COVID-19-related financial setbacks have made it hard for many families to get by during these challenging times, as such, we have compiled information on this newsletter for you about: a local grant opportunity for women-owned businesses, the California Property Tax Postponement Program, foreclosure prevention and protections, and a new small business portal. Read more below and please remember to participate in our new poll!

News from the Capitol

Bills Headed to the Governor’s desk!  

• The last day for each house to pass bills was this past Friday September 10^th and now all bills that have been approved by the Legislature are on their way to the Governor’s desk who has until October 10^th to veto or sign bills into law.
• I’m delighted to share that seven of my bills passed the Legislature and have been sent to the Governor!
• If a non-urgency bill successfully passes the Legislature and is signed by the Governor for this 2021 session, the bill will go into effect on January 1st of 2022.
• Over the span of the next few weeks, up until October 10^th, we will be sharing with you when these bills get signed into law. In the meantime, you can learn more about each of my bills waiting for the Governor’s signature by visiting the links below:
  • SB 4 - The Broadband 4 All Act
  • SB 338 - Protecting Port Truck Drivers
  • SB 378 - Broadband Deployment Best Practices
  • SB 403 - Consolidation of At-Risk Water Districts
  • SB 606 - Workplace Safety Enforcement
  • SB 671 - Clean Freight Corridor Assessment
  • SB 776 - Safe and Affordable Drinking Water
• Learn more about the legislative process here: https://www.senate.ca.gov/legislativeprocess

In the District

City of Maywood 97^th Anniversary

• On September 3, my office joined the City of Maywood’s 97^th Anniversary Celebration. It was an afternoon filled with fun, games, food, activities, COVID-19 vaccines and testing and more. Thank you, City of Maywood staff, partners, volunteers, and residents who were a part of this great event, and congratulations Maywood!

20^th Anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks 

• On September 11, my office joined our Signal Hill and Long Beach community gathering at the Unity Monument in Signal Hill which faces the east coast to memorialize the lives lost on September 11, 2001. This year marked 20 years since that tragic day when thousands of lives were lost. We honor their memory, acknowledge the bravery of those who risked their own lives to save others, and appreciate those who bravely defend our country and our freedom every day.

Passing of Former State Senator and Assemblywoman Betty Karnette

• On September 8, I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Betty Karnette, a true champion of the 33rd State Senate District and a longtime resident of Long Beach. Before serving in the State Assembly and State Senate, Betty was a public school teacher in the City of South Gate. She was a true trailblazer fighting for transparency in politics, a strong education system, and for women’s rights. She was also the first woman to Chair the Senate Transportation Committee before me. Betty’s strong legacy of leadership will live on to inspire and encourage many other young women in our community to follow in her footsteps. She will be deeply missed by the Long Beach community and State of California. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones.

Woman-Owned Business Accelerator (WOBA) Grant Program Accepting Applications

• The Downtown Long Beach Alliance’s (DLBA) Woman-Owned Business Accelerator grant program enables up to five women-owned businesses to share $10,000 of funding provided by Long Beach-based Farmers & Merchants Bank (F&M). Grant winners receive technical assistance and coaching from the Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at California State University, Long Beach. DTLB-based Fuller Management Corporation will also offer full-service, customized, comprehensive business development and coaching to program participants.
• For more information and to apply visit the WOBA program website or call (562) 522-0523.

California Property Tax Postponement (PTP) Program

• With the rising cost of living in the Golden State, and the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone knows someone who is struggling to make ends meet. The challenge can be greatest for retirees on a fixed income and people with a disability that prevents them from working. California offers property tax deferment for some of these vulnerable homeowners, including CA homeowners who are seniors, or are blind, or have a disability.
• If you think you or someone you know could benefit from the PTP program, visit www.ptp.sco.ca.gov, call (800) 952-5661, or email postponement@sco.ca.gov for more information.

Foreclosure Prevention and Protections

• COVID-19-related financial setbacks have made it hard for some homeowners to make their mortgage payments. To better support state and federal foreclosure protection and relief efforts, a new section has been added to the HousingIsKey.com website to help inform homeowners most at risk of losing their homes about available resources.
• This section contains information about homeowners' rights, and will provide links to resources such as the California Mortgage Relief Program that will be administered by the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) once its plan has been approved by the U.S. Treasury.
• Check out this new resource for homeowners at HousingIsKey.com

California Launches Dedicated Small Business Portal 

• On September 9, California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), part of the Governor’s Office of Business Economic Development (GO-Biz), announced the launch of calosba.ca.gov - a website that connects California’s small business community with critical resources available through state-funded small business technical assistance programs and other state resources.
• Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and startups can access the following information:
  • Small business technical assistance centers that offer specialized support for no-cost or at a low-cost
  • Financing information including state and federal capital programs and tax/credit incentive programs
  • Business Learning Center that helps business owners navigate the varying stages of the business development process
  • Permits, licenses, and regulations
  • Access to new markets, including e-commerce, international trade, and procurement and supply chain programs
• For more information, visit calosba.ca.gov today!

Signal Hill Legislative Community Coffee

• Signal Hill residents, join me on September 30, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. for a Legislative Community Coffee! Get the latest legislative updates, learn about state and local resources, and ask any questions you may have. Register for this virtual event here. For questions, call (562) 256-7921.

Last Edition's Poll Results

• In our previous newsletter, we asked how concerned Senate District 33 residents felt about the eviction moratorium ending on September 30, these were the results.

This Edition’s Poll Questions

• For this edition’s poll, I would like to know your thoughts on California’s recall process. Take our next poll here to share your ideas, comments, questions and feedback!

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