Keeping up with the Capitol

Sen. Brian Jones

38th District

June is a busy month up at the Sacramento Capitol. Committees will be hearing hundreds of bills and the state budget must be passed by June 15. Two issues to watch out for are rent relief and wildfires.

Rent is skyrocketing across California and, specifically, in San Diego. I’m taking action to help renters with Senate Bill 843. As a co-author of this bill, we are increasing the renters’ tax credit for the first time in 42 years to $500 for individuals and $1,000 for couples and individuals with dependents. This important measure will provide direct financial relief to more than 3 million renters in California. The bill recently passed off the Senate Floor unanimously and is heading to the Assembly for consideration.

Catastrophic and devastating wildfires have occurred in almost every region of California, including San Diego County. I’m a proud co-author of Senate Bill 1062, also known as the “Firefighter Shortage Act.” Through this measure, California will hire an additional 356 full time firefighters and 16 firefighting hand crews.

Our firefighters are heroes, risking their lives to save communities in San Diego and across California. We’re going to hire extra firefighters to make sure that we are getting onto fires sooner, safer and more efficiently. With the state’s nearly $100 billion budget surplus, I strongly support investing some of these funds into public safety. SB 1062 recently passed off the Senate Floor unanimously and is heading to the Assembly for consideration.

In other news, California’s gas average now tops $6, the highest-recorded average per gallon of regular unleaded. With nearly a $100 billion surplus, I’ve been fighting to suspend the gas tax for months. While the majority party Democrat legislators and the Governor could immediately lower gas prices by suspending California’s $1 gas taxes and fees, they continue to refuse to act. The Governor’s plan to send $400 rebate checks to registered vehicle owners is a step in the right direction, however, payments would not start until October at the earliest. Californians need relief at the pump now!