The Toni Times | February 2023
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I love the movie Groundhog Day. I had even planned a little nod toward it later in this note. But, the timing is just not right. We have just seen mass shootings in Monterey Park, Half Moon Bay, and Oakland that are as horrific as the mass shootings we have already seen over and over and over again and nothing ever changes. I can’t bear to think what parents in Newtown and Uvalde and other communities must go through when this deadly cycle goes on repeat again and again. It is a lie that gun violence is the price we have to pay to live in a free society. No other society in the world has America’s problem with guns. As we’ve seen in Memphis with Tyre Nichols’s brutal killing, once again the death of a single person shows us the need for the entire system to improve. It’s time for reasonable Americans to demand change.
Voting is one of the best ways to bring about change, and that has been particularly true for Black Americans. That’s why it is so special for me to start Black History month following the recent historic swearing in of Dr. Shirley Weber, California’s first elected African American Secretary of State. Having known Shirley for so long, I know she’s not done making history, she’s just getting started!
February is also the month we honor America’s Presidents, and having just met with President Biden when he came out to California to observe damage from the recent storms, it was an important reminder of the tremendous responsibilities our Presidents have, and how important it is for us to choose wisely. I was impressed with President Biden’s knowledge, interest, and empathy about the storms. Thank you, Mr. President.
With W-2s and other tax forms having been mailed out, the tax season now begins in earnest for most folks. One of the things I have made it a mission to do every tax season is to spread the word about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a valuable program that many lower-income Californians are eligible for, but don’t know it.
There are two EITCs — the California EITC and its federal counterpart. These credits can reduce taxes owed or increase a tax refund—if you file. Even if you don’t owe anything, you have to file to claim this credit. EITC puts money back in the hands of hard working Californians, and that money gets recirculated into small businesses in the community. People who are eligible can file for the EITC year-round, but the start of tax season is a good time to focus our awareness efforts so more people know this is available to them. And, while you’re at it, people who qualify for the CalEITC and have a child under 6 years old may also qualify for the Young Child Tax Credit, so be sure to check for that, too!
Speaking of taxes, this year, Californians living in areas affected by the storm are automatically eligible for an extension on filing their taxes until May 15, 2023. That is very needful assistance to individuals and businesses, and it gives us one more month to help eligible EITC filers! For more information on CalEITC go to caleitc4me.org, and for more information about the tax extension for Californians impacted by storms, click here.
We may not have a lot of days in February, but we have a lot to do. With all due respect to Groundhog’s Day, we can’t just do the same thing over and over. And we won’t. We may have more winter ahead of us, but given the optimism and resolve I feel right now, it might as well be spring.
Thanks for reading,
Toni
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Each February presents us a profound opportunity to celebrate the vast number of achievements and contributions the Black community has made, and examine the innumerable challenges they have endured, overcome, and continue to face today.
California is fortunate to be home to Black leaders across the state who are working diligently for their communities, from Council President Pro Tem Monica Montgomery Steppe in San Diego City Hall; to fellow San Diego Assemblymember Akilah Weber and my Senate colleagues Steven Bradford and Lola Smallwood-Cuevas in the Capitol; and newly sworn-in Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove in Congress; to name a few. In just the last two months, I had the great honor to help swear in Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Ph.D., both of whom made history in their respective roles. Of course, let us also not forget our nation’s first Black and first Asian American woman Vice President Kamala Harris – born and raised in Oakland. Last year, up in Sacramento, my colleagues in the California Legislative Black Caucus led a package of priority bills and budget items that advanced social, economic, and educational justice in our state, all through a lens of racial and social equity.
While we have a long way to go to reach racial parity in office, these leaders and many others are helping to close that critical gap and ensure the diverse experiences and needs of the Black community are represented and respected.
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As you may have gathered from my note above, I am a huge fan of the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC). With tax season underway, it’s time to share information about this incredible cash refund program that puts real money back in people’s pockets.
In recent years, over $200 million CalEITC tax credits have been extended to qualifying San Diegans. One of my proudest achievements while serving as Speaker of the Assembly was establishing this vital program, and I’m heartened by that success and want to make sure everyone who is eligible benefits from it! The first step to see if you can get this tax credit is to visit https://www.caleitc4me.org/. You can also find free tax prep help on the same site. Finally, to claim the credit, make sure to file a state tax return, even if you don’t owe anything.
People who qualify for the CalEITC AND have a child under six may also qualify for the Young Child Tax Credit – extra reason to visit CalEITC4me.org today and learn more.
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In honor of Women’s History Month every March, the California Legislature honors some of the outstanding women who live and work in our communities as part of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus “Woman of the Year” celebration. Last year in District 39, we went a step further and asked you to nominate local women for their contributions. The response was incredible, and we were able to celebrate our Woman of the Year, as well as twenty-five Women of the District.
California’s 39th Senate District is home to so many remarkable women who serve our communities, organizations, businesses, students, and nonprofits. Once again, we are requesting your nominations to highlight them! All we ask is that the nominees have a strong connection to the 39th Senate District, a good track-record of involvement in the community, and that nominations help reflect our district’s amazing diversity. I’m looking forward to reading about all the women who make our community shine.
Please use this link to share your nominations by Friday, February 10, 2023.
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This year was the first time that California officially recognized Lunar New Year. While AAPI communities across the state have been grieving in the wake of recent mass shootings, the San Diego Tet Festival provided our neighbors a sense of solidarity, healing, and a shimmer of joy during a difficult time.
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Local hospitals are in urgent need of blood donations. I encourage everyone who is able to consider making a lifesaving donation. Visit sandiegobloodbank.org to learn more and schedule an appointment.
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Team Toni honored Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s memory by helping HRC San Diego assemble nearly 700 hygiene kits for local youth service organizations. Every year, the MLK Day of Service serves as a reminder of the power of giving back.
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) San Diego tirelessly supports our immigrant communities and advocates for policies that empower them. It was great to welcome their executive director, Tazheen Nizam, to our office to discuss their work, the rise in hate incidents, and the need for cultural competency in our communities.
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For 94 years, the Junior League of San Diego has been dedicated to serving our community by addressing food insecurity, improving the quality of life for transition-aged foster youth, preventing human trafficking, and much more. I was happy to recognize their contributions to San Diego with a Senate Resolution.
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From housing to medical care, independent and assisted living, St. Paul’s has been caring for San Diego seniors since 1960. It was great to welcome St. Paul’s Senior Services CEO Michael McHale and St. Paul’s PACE CEO Carol Hubbard to talk about the important services they provide in our region.
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Congratulations to the newly sworn in Sycuan Tribal Council: (from the left) Councilmember Willie Tucker, Jr.; Treasurer Brianna Sandoval; Vice Chairman Joshua Muse; Chairman Cody Martinez; Secretary Jade Fraser; Councilmember Nathan LaBrake; and Councilmember Jamie LaBrake!
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