May is the month when we celebrate our mothers and when we honor the memories of those who gave their lives in service to our nation. This May is a little different, because it also includes the income tax deadline that we normally see on April 15th. The May 17th deadline means that is when we will have a final picture of what the state's revenues are as we work to enact a state budget by the constitutional deadline in June.

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Last year's fire season was the largest in California's history, burning more than 4 million acres and devastating communities in diverse landscapes throughout the state. With another hot and dry fire season on the horizon, combined with a lack of rainfall and low snowpack, the state's wildfire preparedness efforts are already underway. In partnership with the Assembly and the Governor, the Senate passed a groundbreaking $536 million wildfire package that enables the state to take urgent action to support wildfire suppression, improve forest health, and build resilience in communities to help protect Californians from catastrophic wildfires across the state. For every dollar we spend on wildfire prevention, our state saves $6 to $7 in damage.

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It was my turn to get vaccinated and what an amazing moment. I was filled with so much hope and appreciation to the medical staff, researchers, and volunteers who have helped us get to where we are.

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The month of May is a time when we recognize both our Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and the leaders of our Small Businesses. Both of these communities are incredibly valuable in terms of our cultural awareness and our economic prosperity. The AAPI community in San Diego is 400,000 strong—that's 12 percent of our population—and 95 percent of businesses in SD are small businesses. I invited Jason Paguio, President & CEO of the Asian Business Association San Diego, to write a guest article to discuss the impacts of the past year on both communities.

By Jason Paguio, President & CEO of the Asian Business Association San Diego

The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for small businesses across the country, especially those in the Asian American Pacific Islander communities. A recent study conducted by the New York Federal Reserve revealed that 90 percent of Asian American owned businesses lost revenue in 2020, compared to 85 percent for African Americans, 81 percent for Hispanics, and 77 percent for whites.

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Tax Day this year has been extended to May 17, to give people experiencing hardship due to the pandemic extra time to file their forms. That means you have just over two weeks left to get your taxes in. Before you hit submit, take a moment to visit CalEITC4Me.org to see if you are eligible to claim the California Earned Income Tax Credit. If you made less than $30,000 in 2020 and are at least 18 years old or have a qualifying child, you could keep more of the money you earned last year.

This Mother's Day, I want to give an extra special thank you to all of the moms and mother-figures who have taken on so much since the pandemic began. From the essential workers who continue to put themselves at risk to support our communities, to the women who have reinvented their careers due to pandemic job loss, to the moms who are juggling work while running a classroom in their kitchens—your enduring strength is an inspiration. You have kept your families, and all of our communities, going this year. Thank you, and Happy Mother's Day to each and every one of you.

Want to learn about upcoming events and opportunities in Senate District 39? Check out the new events page on my website and bookmark it for later. And if you have something you want us to list, email it to us for consideration!

Team Toni continues to work remotely with 39th Senate District residents and constituents in need of help. We are aware of the challenges you have endured this past year, especially with unemployment insurance. Our district office has worked to close more than 1,800 cases – each case representing a fellow member of our community. My staff and I will continue to be here to assist you in your time of need. Please feel free to contact us online or call our office at (619) 645-3133.