Sacramento, CA – Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday signed Senate Bill 412, Sen. Steve Glazer’s California Promise, a landmark bill that will pave a new pathway for more California State University students to graduate in four years.

To bolster CSU’s four-year graduation rate – one of the lowest in the nation at only 19 percent – SB 412 will require CSU campuses to offer enhanced academic advising and priority registration to students who commit to 30 credits per academic year. Low-income students, under-represented minorities, first-generation college students and community college transfers will get priority registration in California Promise programs, which will begin in the fall of 2017.

Senate Bill 412, which Sen. Glazer jointly authored with Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles, marks an important turning point in California for CSU students, said Sen. Glazer, D-Orinda.

“We all know a college degree is a critical rung on the ladder of economic success,” Glazer said. “It is an especially proud day to know that we will now provide CSU students a better chance to do what most want to do, which is to graduate on time.

“California Promise students will now get what many students do not and that is a human touch,” Glazer added. “More academic advising will mean that California Promise students can chart a path with professional guidance and important follow up. It is unfortunate that there are more human touches in getting a piece of fruit to market than there is in student counseling on how to graduate in four years. We can turn that around with this new law.”

Ensuring that California students have all the tools to get through college in four years is a top priority of the Legislature, de León said.

“I congratulate Senator Glazer on the signing of SB 412,” de León said. “California continues to lead the way in implementing policies that support and incentivize students to graduate in four years. The state Senate will continue working to ensure all California students, regardless of race, income or ethnicity have access to higher education as it is the passport to economic success, not only for the student, but the state.”

Gov. Brown said that the legislation, “coupled with today’s action from the CSU trustees, creates conditions that allow students to timely graduate and avoid the burden of extra tuition.” The CSU Board of Trustees earlier Wednesday approved a new 2025 Graduation Initiative that aims to more than double the number of students graduating in four years to 40 percent.

Glazer added: “I applaud CSU for submitting newly enhanced goals of raising 4-year graduation rates to 40 percent by 2025. The California Promise, along with other innovative student success measures, will instill fresh momentum into improving four-year graduation rates.

“I look forward to being part of legislative oversight efforts to keep this program on track.”

By Allen Payton

The Antioch Police Officers Association (APOA) announced via their Facebook page on Sunday, September 18, their endorsements for Antioch Mayor, City Council and School Board.

The statement reads:

“The Antioch Police Officer’s Association held a canidates [sic] night and invited all of the candidates running for Antioch Mayor and Antioch city council. Those who participated engaged with members of the APOA board in a Q&A type forum regarding; Public Safety, Economic growth, and a homeless resolution for our city.

The APOA has elected to support the following canidates,

Wade Harper (Mayor )

Monica Wilson (Council )

Mary Rocha (Council )

Additionally the APOA was contacted by Mike Burkholder regarding an open seat for Antioch School Board. The APOA has also decided to support Burkholder for Antioch School Board.

The APOA feels these incumbents can continue to address the serious issues which face the city of Antioch and with their hard work will make the city of Antioch safer.

Will Dee

Antioch Police Officer’s Association

President”

When asked which candidates the APOA interviewed for mayor and city council, Dee provided a list via email, of all four candidates for mayor, and five of the six candidates for city council, excluding Karl Dietzel.

In a comment on his campaign’s Facebook page on Sunday night, September 18, Dietzel wrote “…I was not contacted / invited to that round table.”

Asked which candidates for school board the APOA had interviewed, Dee responded via email, “Just Mike Burkholder.”

In a post on his personal Facebook page on Sunday night, Burkholder wrote, “I am truly honored to be supported by the men and women of the Antioch Police Officers Association!”

One more email was sent to Dee, but not until Wednesday evening, asking why did you just interview Burkholder and not the other candidates? And will you be endorsing for the other two seats?

In response via email, Sgt. Dee wrote, “Generally we do not get involved in the school races however Mike was the only candidate who approached the POA for an endorsement. Also we have had a long standing relationship with Mike and have sat down with him on numerous occasions regarding this race and shared ideas.”

Diane Gibson-Gray

By Allen Payton

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce, announced, today that the Board of Directors has voted to formally endorse Antioch School Board Trustee Diane Gibson-Gray for re-election in November.

“Diane has the experience and the leadership to move the Antioch Unified School District toward overall improvement and success as the primary educational resource for our City of Antioch,” said Richard Pagano, Chamber Board Chairman, President & COO. “Diane Gibson-Gray has provided critical leadership and direction as a Board of Trustee for the Antioch Unified School District for two terms and we endorse her re-election to that Board.”

In a press release from the Chamber, it offered additional reasons for their endorsement.

“Gibson-Gray has served as a board member for the Antioch Chamber of Commerce for the past six years. During that time she has been a part of reestablishing the Antioch Chamber of Commerce in both mission and effectiveness. The board has witnessed Diane’s dedication to the Chamber’s Gala, the summer concert series for the Arts & Cultural Foundation and her ability to understand and help oversee important financial decisions,” the press release stated.

Gibson-Gray is running for her third term on the school board.

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce is made up of about 350 Antioch area member businesses and organizations and is the largest Chamber in East County.

9/23/16 UPDATE: Asked if the board held interviews of any or all of the other candidates for school board, or if the Chamber will make any additional endorsements for the other two seats up for election, this year, Terry Ramus, chairman of the Chamber’s Government Affairs/Economic Development Committee responded.

“While the Chamber may make additional endorsements, it wasn’t our intent to interview all of the candidates,” he said.

The election is November 8.

Washington, DC – This past week, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) announced commonsense legislation to protect low income students from being taxed on using their Pell Grants for non-tuition goods and services. He is joined in introducing the Pell Grant Flexibility Act (H.R. 5764) by his Republican colleagues Representatives Lee Zeldin (NY-1), Thomas MacArthur (NJ-3), and Peter King (NY-2) as well as 16 leading education organizations including The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS) and the National Education Association (NEA).

Federal Pell Grants can be used to cover both tuition and non-tuition expenses. However, when students use these funds for non-tuition expenses their Pell Grant is taxed, while strictly tuition costs are exempt. Each year approximately eight million students receive Pell Grant funding. A majority of these recipients have family incomes under $40,000 per year, and typically borrow higher amounts of student loans to cover the costs associated with higher education.
“When it comes to college affordability, paying tuition is not the only cost that worries students and families. Expenses like textbooks, off-campus housing, transportation, and child care account for roughly 60 to 80 percent of total cost of a higher education. We must allow students to use every Pell dollar toward focusing on their earning their degree,” said Congressman DeSaulnier

“The rising cost of higher education is a crushing burden to many families, but access to Pell grants offer substantial assistance. The ability to use Pell Grants for expenses other than tuition and to have access to those funds on a tax-free basis is vital. NEA applauds Rep. DeSaulnier for introducing the Pell Grant Flexibility Act,” said NEA Director of Government Relations, Mary Kusler.

“Pell Grants should not be treated as taxable income regardless of which qualified education expense they are used to cover. By eliminating the inconsistent tax treatment of Pell Grants, this bill will help to increase fairness, simplify the tax code, and improve coordination between Pell Grants and the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC),” said TICAS President, Lauren Asher.

The complete list of organizational support includes: American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), American Council on Education (ACE), Association of American Universities (AAU) , Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU), Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP), National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), National College Access Network (NCAN), National Education Association (NEA), National Urban League, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), The Institute for College Assess and Success (TICAS), United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Young Invincibles.

By Allen Payton

In a rare injection of partisan politics into a race for Contra Costa County Supervisor, Diane Burgis candidate for Supervisor in District 3, announced she has the support of elected officials, and then listed them as either Democrat or Republican, including those in non-partisan offices. County Supervisor is a non-partisan office, as are the offices of city council and school board, and candidates don’t run as members of a political party.

However, the press release from Burgis’ campaign reads as follows:

Community leaders, including Democrats, Republicans and Independents, joined together today to announce their unified support for Diane Burgis for Contra Costa County Supervisor in District Three.

The broad coalition of endorsers includes Democratic Congressmembers Jerry McNerney and Mark DeSaulnier, current Republican County Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho, Democratic state leaders Assemblymember Susan Bonilla, Superintendent Tom Torlakson and Assemblymember Joan Buchanan (ret.), Republican Mayor Kevin Romick of Oakley, Town of Discovery Bay Directors Kevin Graves (R) and Chris Steele (D), and Democratic Antioch City Councilmembers Tony Tiscareno and Mary Rocha.

This all comes on the heels of endorsements from District Attorney Mark Peterson and County Sheriff David Livingston, both Republicans, as well as the county’s deputy sheriffs and firefighters.

“Diane Burgis is a leader in our community who possesses the intelligence, integrity and compassion necessary to bridge gaps and represent the views of all East County residents,” said County Supervisor Mary Piepho, a Republican. “She’s approachable and knowledgeable, and supports investment in our transportation system, and our police and firefighters who work hard to make our communities safe.”

Diane currently serves as an East Bay Regional Parks District director and is the executive director of the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed. Previously, she served as an Oakley City councilmember and spent over ten years as a small business owner. She highlights four priorities for her candidacy: improving public safety, attracting economic development, ensuring fiscal accountability and preserving the delta for future generations.

“Diane has a strong history of fighting to protect our water, our delta and the environment,” said Congressman Jerry McNerney, a Democrat. “Her leadership as head of the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed and as a board member for the East Bay Regional Parks District exemplifies the steady, bipartisan leadership our region needs.”

Burgis, the only Democrat on the ballot, has also earned the official endorsement of the California Democratic Party, Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, Contra Costa Young Democrats and East Contra Costa Democrats for Action. But that doesn’t mean she will only represent Democrats.

“I examine each issue closely, hear all sides and then come to the decision that works best for East County,” said Diane Burgis, candidate for Supervisor in District Three. “One size doesn’t fit all. Our district deserves a representative who has proven that they can work together with every member of the community. I’m honored to have earned the trust and confidence of our current Republican County Supervisor, Mary Piepho, as well as a long list of local Democrats, Republicans and Independents who put community before party.”

Voters can learn more about her and her platform at www.dianeburgis.com.

When asked about making local office partisan, Burgis did not respond. The election is November 8.

By Harry Stoll

“myRA” is a retirement account established by the U.S. Treasury in January 2015; it’s for workers without an employer-sponsored retirement account. (If you have any other retirement plan, such as 401k or another Roth IRA, it doesn’t matter.) myRA is a form of a  Roth IRA, but with one important distinction: It is not stock market based as other IRA’s are, but on U.S. Treasury bonds. So it won’t grow dramatically, but you cannot lose money. The Treasury bonds backing it averaged 2.9% for the 10 years ending December 31, 2015.

You can open a myRA with as little as $25 and make contributions as low as $5 (provided your income is less that $131,000 or 193,000 for married couples filing jointly). You can arrange for you employer to make regular contributions, have regular contributions from a checking account or make periodic contributions from a checking account. The amount you can contribute in a year is $5,500, or $6,500 for those over 50.

The money you put in has been taxed so there’s no tax on it when withdrawn. The dividends are also tax free when taken out, which is a huge plus. There are hoops to jump through when withdrawing. In general you can withdraw after age 59 and ½ without being taxed or paying a penalty.

An important point: when the balance reaches $15,000 or you have it for 30 years, whichever is first, it must be transferred to regular Roth account. And before that amount is reached funds in the myRA can be transferred to another Roth IRA. Here’s a method to then get cash from the Roth IRA to which you transferred funds: I have a self-managed Roth in which I select the investments. I could transfer funds to from myRA to the regular Roth where it goes into an “available for investment” category. I could then have the broker send me a check.

This is an ideal retirement investment for those entering the labor market, whether it’s flipping burgers, bagging groceries, steaming lattes, or being a corporate lawyer. You can make contributions when you are able. It might be a strain sometimes, but it’s a start. End of lecture

MyRA can also be used by anybody as a safe place to stash some money and get some interest.

The U.S. Treasury has arranged for Comerica Bank to be the custodian for myRA’s. It accepts contributions from checking accounts. But you can’t delete an account once established. The web site states you can have up to five external accounts, but customer service said it’s up to three. Not a deal breaker, but annoying. And because your contributions temporarily go into a Comerica Bank account they can share certain of your information. No charge appears against the account; obviously the U.S. Treasury is paying Comerica a fee. I had no luck in getting Comerica to tell me the fee. I’ll try the Treasury and report back.

To get started: myra.gov