Cites “finite funding”; would have qualified some for up to $150,000 or 20% down payment; signs 5 other bills
By Allen D. Payton
In a message to the California State Assembly on Thursday, Sept. 6, Governor Gavin Newsom explained his veto of AB1840, Home Purchase Assistance Program: eligibility by Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) that it’s due to limited funds. He wrote:
“To the Members of the California State Assembly:
I am returning Assembly Bill 1840 without my signature.
This bill seeks to prohibit the disqualification of applicants from one of California Housing Finance Agency’s (CalHFA) home purchase assistance programs based solely on their immigration status.
Given the finite funding available for CalHFA programs, expanding program eligibility must be carefully considered within the broader context of the annual state budget to ensure we manage our resources effectively.
For this reason, I am unable to sign this bill.”
Source: Office of the Governor of California
The bill would have allowed some illegal immigrants in California to qualify for the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation Loan program, which would have been renamed under the bill to the Home Purchase Assistance Program, and receive up to $150,000 for a 20% downpayment to purchase their first home.
Newsom also announced on Thursday the bills he signed into law:
AB 1170 by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) – Political Reform Act of 1974: filing requirements.
AB 1770 by the Committee on Emergency Management – Emergency services: Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission: seismic mitigation and earthquake early warning technology.
AB 2094 by Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-Modesto) – Alcoholic beverage control: public community college stadiums: City of Bakersfield.
AB 2436 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) – Cattle: inspections: fees.
AB 2721 by the Committee on Agriculture – Food and agriculture: omnibus bill.
Victim Elijah Scales in a 2019 photo of him posted on Facebook on Sept. 3, 2024.
Police seek unknown suspect
By Lt. Desmond Bittner, #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
As previously reported, on Monday, September 2, 2024, at approximately 9:35 p.m., Antioch police officers responded to the 2100 block of Peppertree Way near Sycamore Drive for reports of shots fired in the area. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a 20-year-old male victim who had been shot at least once. Antioch police officers provided aid to the victim who was transported to a local hospital.
On Thursday, September 5th the victim succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The victim has been identified as Elijah Scales (20) from Antioch. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.
According to his Facebook page, Scales was from Pittsburg and attended Antioch High School. Following the shooting on Monday, family members posted on Facebook messages, a 2019 photo of him (above) and a video montage of photos of Scales.
Any tips or other information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Duffy at (925) 779-6884 or by email aduffy@antiochca.gov.
After Supervisors made the estimated 10,000 residents in county eligible
“While Medi-Cal…includes undocumented residents, some…earn too much money to qualify. And they are not eligible for CoveredCA because they’re undocumented.”
By Contra Costa Health
Contra Costa Health is now offering affordable health care coverage to uninsured county residents who don’t qualify for Medi-Cal or CoveredCA.
Potentially eligible residents can now call a financial counselor at 1-800-771-4270 to ask about enrolling in Basic Health Care, which offers coverage for primary care, medications, X-rays and more.
While Medi-Cal has expanded to include undocumented residents, some of those residents earn too much money to qualify. And they are not eligible for CoveredCA because they’re undocumented.
“We’re still seeing some people in our community fall through the cracks, unable to get health insurance,” said Gilbert Salinas, chief equity officer for Contra Costa Health (CCH). “Basic Health Care will help fill that gap and give people access to medical care.”
Earlier this year, the Board of Supervisors made undocumented residents eligible for Basic Health Care. It’s estimated that more than 10,000 undocumented residents in Contra Costa are eligible for Basic Health Care.
To qualify for Basic Health Care, residents must have incomes below 300% of the federal poverty level. People enrolled in Basic Health Care will pay a sliding-scale quarterly premium depending on their income up to $20 a month. Enrollment in this program will not be considered as part of a public charge test for immigrants.
“By improving access to primary medical services through Basic Health Care, we aim to reduce unnecessary visits to local hospital emergency departments,” Salinas said.
The broken glass door of Romi’s Liquor & Food and one of the suspects arrested on August 30, 2024. Photos: Antioch PD
By Antioch Police Department
Collaboration with our community members led to the arrest of a burglary suspect. On Friday, August 30, 2024, officers Tanguma and Whitson were called to Romi’s Liquor & Food in the 400 block of East 18th Street for a report of the alarm going off.
When they arrived, they found that the front door was smashed, and bottles of alcohol were stolen. The officers reviewed the surveillance video with the store owner who recognized the suspect. Officers identified two suspects and swiftly arrested one, who was charged with burglary.
20-year-old shooting victim in critical condition at hospital, investigation ongoing
By Lt. Desmond Bittner, #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
On Monday, September 2, 2024, at approximately 9:35 p.m., Antioch police officers responded to the 2100 block of Peppertree Way near Sycamore Drive for reports of shots fired in the area. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a 20-year-old male victim who had been shot at least once. Antioch police officers provided aid to the victim who was transported to a local hospital. The victim is currently listed in critical condition.
The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit responded to take over the investigation. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.
Any tips or other information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Duffy at (925) 779-6884 or by email aduffy@antiochca.gov.
Glazer votes to table the amendment without debate, Skinner votes to abstain
By Allen D. Payton
An effort by the Republicans in the California State Senate to end the state income tax on tips was blocked by Democrats during final session voting, last Thursday, August 29, 2024. That’s in spite of the fact that their party’s nominee for president, Vice President Kamala Harris, announced her support for the proposal just last month, following former President Trump’s previous announcement proposing the idea during the campaign.
All nine Republican state senators supported the amendment, while almost all the state’s Democratic senators, including State Sen. Steve Glazer, except for Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire and State Sen. Nancy Skinner, voted in opposition. McGuire and Skinner, who represents portions of Western Contra Costa County, voted to abstain. Glazer currently represents the rest and most of Contra Costa County, including Antioch. The motion to table the amendment without debate passed 29-9-2.
A press release about the effort issued that day reads, “Today, California Senate Republicans advanced amendments to protect hospitality and service industry employees with a state tax exemption on tips. Legislative Democrats refused to consider the issue and summarily killed the proposal without discussion or debate. Click HERE to watch Senator Ochoa Bogh’s floor remarks and click HERE to view/download the roll call vote on the amendments.”
“The proposal, which was aimed at addressing the unsustainable tax burden placed on workers who rely heavily on tips, would have exempted those tips from state income taxes and allowed hospitality and service industry employees to take home more of their earnings,” the press release continued. “Proponents of the policy point to not only relief for taxpayers as a benefit but also increased spending that would result from those tax breaks and serve as an economic driver to lift all sectors of the economy.”
“The negligence involved in a refusal to even debate a policy issue of this magnitude cannot be overstated,” said state Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones. “The push to eliminate the federal tip tax has made its way to the campaign stage for both major party’s this year, yet California Democrat politicians don’t believe it be even worthy to discuss at the state level for residents here.”
Efren Reynoso in a post on his Facebook page on March 28, 2024, and his service information.
Held on $1 million bail, one has history of arrests
Police identify victim as Efren Reynoso
By Lt. Desmond Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
As previously reported, On August 16th, 2024, at approximately 7:26 am, Antioch police officers responded to the area of E. 8th Street and A Street on the report of a welfare check. The caller reported hearing gunshots in the area earlier in the morning and now suspected a neighbor may have been shot. When officers arrived, they located a 47-year-old adult male inside of a residence on E. 8th Street suffering from a fatal gunshot wound.
The incident occurred at 3:13 am, but police were not notified until the body was discovered later that morning.
Antioch Police Department detectives have continued to work diligently on this investigation over the past several days. During the investigation, the two suspects in the homicide of Efren Reynoso were identified. On August 27th, with the assistance of Stockton Police Department, both suspects, Elijah Birba, Jr., age 21 (bon 4/22/03), and Christopher Paul Paez, Jr., age 23 (born 10/22/2000) of Antioch, were apprehended without incident.
The case has been filed with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. Charges are as follows: Murder – 187 PC and Special Allegation – Personal and Intentional Discharge of a Firearm Causing Death – 12022.53 (d) PC
According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Birba is Black, and according to the in-custody details, he is five-feet, six-inches tall, weighs 120-pounds and is being held at the Martinez Detention Facility on $1 million bail.
According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, eight-inch tall, 160-pound Paez is also being held at the Martinez Detention Facility on $1 million bail. His ethnicity was not provided.
According to localcrimenews.com, he was also arrested in January 2021 by Stockton CHP for hit-and-run and in June 2022 by Stanislaus County Sheriff for DUI Alcohol/Drugs, DUI Alcohol with blood alcohol level greater than .08, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner and carrying a loaded concealed weapon.
Any tips or other information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Becerra at (925)779-6937 or by email abecerra@antiochca.gov
Top: Sierra Institute’s P-CREW learning how to conduct fuels reduction in Plumas-Eureka State Park. Bottom: Crystal Cove Conservancy intern sets up a trail camera to conduct wildlife monitoring. Photos from Parks California.
SACRAMENTO — California State Parks and Parks California are excited to announce the awardees for the 2024-2026 Career Pathways Grants. Fourteen local organizations will receive a total of over $1.1 million to help train people for careers in parks and public lands. The Career Pathways Program helps California State Parks work with local organizations to prepare people and overcome barriers to access for careers in parks.
“Nurturing a diverse and skilled workforce is crucial to ensuring the sustained stewardship of California’s treasured park system,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero.“The Career Pathways Grants Program aligns with our department’s Path Forward Strategic Plan and embodies the Newsom Administration’s Jobs First initiative. The program supports our efforts to prioritize developing a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce.”
The Career Pathways Grants Program aims to not only prepare the next generation workforce with necessary skills but also expand awareness about the diversity of careers in parks and public lands, connect participants to mentors and professional networks to support them in their career journey, and help participants navigate state hiring processes.
“Parks California is committed to cultivating career training opportunities in California State Parks for everyone,” said Parks California President and CEO Kindley Walsh Lawlor. “By coordinating partnerships between communities and parks, our Career Pathways Grants Program fosters future leaders, ambassadors, and caretakers of our shared lands.”
“I’m really excited for these grants and thankful to our partner, Parks California, for supporting them,” said California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “Helping all interested Californians find careers in State Parks team builds an Outdoors for All. It will help all Californians see themselves represented among those who work on our public lands, which helps create a feeling of belonging and ignites the passion of future environmental leaders.” The grantees will work collaboratively with California State Parks to offer work experiences and training in park operations and stewardship, such as wildfire resilience projects, trail building, habitat restoration, and visitor services. Additionally, the grantees connect participants to job networks and provide career advice and additional resources, such as equipment, wages, meals, and travel reimbursement.
About the Career Pathways Program
For the 2024-2026 Career Pathways program, grant funding from State Parks’ Waterway Connections Initiative and the generous support of private donors helped Parks California engage organizations that could connect participants to water-related outdoor access and experiences. Priority was given to organizations that planned projects in parks along inland waterways, lakes, rivers, and watersheds. For example, the San Joaquin County Office of Education’s Greater Valley Conservation Corps is partnering with California State Parks to offer youth corpsmembers natural resources career training and work experience at Brannan Island State Recreation Area in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
Grants were awarded in a competitive process to organizations that met eligibility criteria and submitted an application. Activities are expected to help nearly 250 people build skills. Activities will take place from July 2024 to July 2026.
Here is the complete list of the 14 awardee organizations:
Parks California was launched in 2019 as a new model of public, private, and non-profit partnership. As the official statutory non-profit partner to California State Parks, working statewide, it’s uniquely positioned to innovate and work hand-in-hand with communities and experts to bring resources together, ensuring that everyone can experience healthy and thriving parks for generations to come. This year, Parks California celebrates 5 years of partnering with over 100 non-profits and tribal groups to help more than 28,000 people experience one of California’s 280 state parks – many for the first time ever – so that they can start a lifelong love of nature.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.
