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Category Archives: California

Federal and State tax filing deadlines extended to May 17

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the state Franchise Tax Board (FTB) extended the deadlines for individual taxpayers to file their 2020 income tax returns and pay their 2020 taxes to May 17, 2021. This postponement applies to individual filers whose 2020 tax returns and payments were originally due on April 15, 2021. This relief does not apply to quarterly estimated tax payments that are due on April 15, 2021. These payments are still due on April 15.

Taxes paid by individuals by the May 17, 2021 deadline will not accrue any late fees or penalties. Taxpayers do not need to claim any special treatment or call the IRS or FTB to qualify for this postponement. However, the IRS and FTB highly encourage taxpayers to file as soon as possible to get their tax refunds sooner.

For assistance with filing your taxes, please visit:

Many Californians can now get health insurance for as little as $1 a month

Posted on by Posted in California, Health and Medical, Insurance Leave a comment
  • Covered California launched a special-enrollment period today to allow Californians to benefit from lower health insurance premiums available through the American Rescue Plan.
  • The new law will help an estimated 2.5 million Californians, including the uninsured and people enrolled directly through a health insurance carrier, by injecting $3 billion into the state’s economy.
  • Many Californians will be able to get a high-quality, name-brand plan for as little as $1 per month, or one with richer benefits for less than $100 per month, but only if they sign up through Covered California.
  • Insured consumers who switch to Covered California could save up to $700 per month on their coverage, giving them more money to put toward needs like housing, their business and retirement.
  • Covered California is launching a new statewide ad campaign to show consumers how the new financial assistance could help them and encourage them to check out their options on CoveredCA.com.
Californians Eligible for Assistance From the American Rescue Plan

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California launched a new special-enrollment period on Monday to allow Californians to benefit from lower health insurance premiums available through the American Rescue Plan. The new law can help an estimated 2.5 million Californians, including the uninsured and those who enrolled directly through a health insurance carrier, by providing additional financial help to lower the cost of their coverage.

“The new and expanded financial help provided by the American Rescue Plan will help more Californians get covered and stay covered by lowering premiums, and for many, putting money back into their pockets,” said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California. “The new financial help is only available through Covered California. You owe it to yourself to check if you benefit — and the sooner you sign up, the more you can save.”

Health Care Premiums are Lower Than Ever for the Uninsured

The American Rescue Plan Helps Millions of Californians While Boosting California’s Economy

Covered California estimates the plan can help Californians — particularly low- and middle-income consumers who have been hit hardest by the pandemic and recession — through $3 billion in new and expanded federal subsidies (see Table 1: Californians Eligible for Assistance From the American Rescue Plan). The new money will strengthen the state’s economy by helping eligible consumers save thousands of dollars between now and the end of 2022, when the benefits are currently set to expire.

“For some Californians, it means hundreds or even thousands of dollars back in their pockets to help them afford their housing, keep their business running, or assist with daily living expenses,” Lee said. “For others, it means they will finally be able to afford health care coverage and get the protection and peace of mind they need as we recover from this pandemic and recession.”

Joseph Newhouse, a national expert on economics and consumer spending and Professor of Health Policy and Management at Harvard University, said the new subsidies have the potential to change the lives of people across the state.

“Whether you live in a big city or in a rural area, these subsidies will provide significant financial relief for people who sign up for health care coverage through Covered California,” Newhouse said. “These subsidies are big, they matter, and they can have a dramatic impact on people’s lives — if they take action.”

Who will benefit from the American Rescue Plan?

The American Rescue Plan lowers health care premium costs for people who get coverage through Covered California by providing new and expanded subsidies to make health insurance more affordable than ever before. The following types of consumers stand to benefit:

  • The uninsured: New data shows that an estimated 810,000 Californians are uninsured and eligible for health insurance coverage through Covered California. Under the American Rescue Plan, most of them would be able to get a high-quality plan from a trusted name-brand company for as little as $1 per month, or a plan that offers richer benefits for less than $100 per month.
  • Consumers insured directly through a health insurance company: Nearly 270,000 Californians are insured directly through a health insurance company in what is referred to as “off-exchange coverage.” They currently do not receive any financial help. The new law ensures that everyone eligible will pay no more than 8.5 percent of their household income on their health care premiums if they are enrolled through an Affordable Care Act marketplace like Covered California (unless they select a plan in a higher metal tier). The new and expanded subsidies mean that many consumers will be able save hundreds of dollars per month — or thousands of dollars between May and the end of 2022 — if they switch and get their insurance through Covered California.
  • Current Covered California enrollees: The new law will also help about 1.4 million people currently enrolled through Covered California. An analysis shows that these consumers will see their net premiums decrease by an average of $180 per household per month. Existing consumers in California do not need to take any action since Covered California will automatically apply the savings to their accounts. They will see lower bills starting in May.

“The American Rescue Plan provides the most significant consumer cost savings since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, but in order for many Californians to make the most of that savings, they need to act now,” Lee said. “Do not miss out: the sooner you sign up, the sooner you can start saving and be covered.”

In addition, the American Rescue Plan will provide marketplace coverage to anyone who received unemployment insurance benefits in 2021. Under the new law, anyone who has received unemployment insurance benefits in 2021 will be eligible for the richest possible coverage from brand-name health plans, which will cost only $1 per month — regardless of their actual total income in 2021.

Covered California is currently working to implement this benefit in its enrollment and consumer cost-comparison systems. While those changes are expected to be implemented in July or August, consumers who are enrolled or sign up before that time will receive the lower premium retroactive to when their coverage commenced. An estimated 10 percent of current Covered California enrollees would be eligible for this benefit, further reducing their costs and putting money back into their pockets. These individuals will see premium reductions in May based on the basic changes under the American Rescue Plan, and additional savings when these changes are implemented this summer.

New Advertising Campaign to Promote Special Enrollment

Covered California is supporting the new special-enrollment period by taking the unprecedented action of treating the months of April through June as if it were its annual open-enrollment period. This includes launching a new ad campaign that starts today (see examples at right). The exchange plans to spend up to $30 million on television, radio and print ads throughout the state through June. The campaign will reach every community, with an emphasis on Hispanic, Asian, and African American media outlets, which represent the groups hit hardest by the pandemic and recession.

“We know that California’s low-income communities — including Latino, Black and Pacific Islander — are the backbone of our state’s essential workforce,” said Jeffrey Reynoso, executive director of the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California. “They have suffered the most during the pandemic and recession, and this new law will make health care coverage more affordable and help them save money in the process.”

Click here to see the television ad in English.

Click here to see the television ad in Spanish.

The new ads will encourage consumers to visit CoveredCA.com to see how much they can save thanks to the new money that is now available.

In addition, the campaign will include a robust digital and social media investment (see example below) as well as educational videos, emails, direct mail and text messaging to reach Californians who have been insured previously or have inquired about health insurance.

“We stand ready to do everything we can to make the American Rescue Plan successful for as many Californians as possible,” Lee said. “Time is of the essence, because every month that goes by is a month that someone could be covered or could be saving hundreds of dollars on their health insurance.”

Consumers Can Find Out in Minutes How Much They Can Save

Research has shown that for most consumers, the reason they do not have insurance coverage is that they do not believe they can afford it. Many may have checked their costs months or years ago — they need to check again to see how affordable coverage can be.  On CoveredCA.com, consumers can easily see exactly how they can benefit from the new law. Consumers just need to enter their ZIP code, household income and the ages of the people in the household to see how low their premiums can be and the health insurance options in their area.

Those interested in learning more about their coverage options can also:

  • Visit www.CoveredCA.com.
  • Find local insurance agents or individuals in Navigator organizations who provide free and confidential assistance over the phone or in person, in a variety of languages.
  • Get a call from certified enroller. Covered California will have someone reach out to the consumer to help them for free.

Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.

The next step in California’s COVID-19 recovery could come on June 15

Posted on by Posted in California, Disease, Gavin Newsom, Health and Medical Leave a comment

SACRAMENTO – As California surpasses a major milestone in the fight against COVID — administering more than 20 million vaccine doses, including 4 million in the state’s hardest-hit communities, and with hospitalizations continuing to steadily decline — Governor Gavin Newsom today outlined the state’s next step in the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, moving beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

On June 15, California will fully open its economy if two criteria are met:

  • If vaccine supply is sufficient for Californians 16 years and older who wish to be inoculated; and
  • If hospitalization rates are stable and low

Everyday activities will be allowed and businesses can open with common-sense risk reduction measures, including encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated and mandating masking, to prevent illness and promote health. The state will continue contact tracing and testing to detect cases early and contain spread of the virus. The entire state will move into this new phase as a whole. The state will monitor hospitalization rates, vaccine access and vaccine efficacy against variants, with the option to revisit the June 15 date if needed.

“With more than 20 million vaccines administered across the state, it is time to turn the page on our tier system and begin looking to fully reopen California’s economy,” said Governor Newsom. “We can now begin planning for our lives post-pandemic. We will need to remain vigilant, and continue the practices that got us here – wearing masks and getting vaccinated – but the light at the end of this tunnel has never been brighter.”

“California has made incredible progress controlling the spread of COVID-19 by staying home, masking, and getting vaccines out quickly to Californians in every corner of the state, including in those communities hardest hit by this pandemic,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “In order to take the next step, we must continue to do our part to keep this momentum moving in the right direction, and that means continuing to wear a mask and ensuring everyone who is eligible gets the vaccine.”

When California fully reopens the economy, the Blueprint for a Safer Economy will end. However, common-sense health measures such as masking will remain across the state. Testing or vaccination verification requirements will remain in relevant settings.

For more information on the state’s move beyond the Blueprint, click here. 

All sectors listed in the current Blueprint for a Safer Economy grid may return to usual operations in compliance with Cal/OSHA requirements and with common-sense public health policies in place, such as required masking, testing and with vaccinations encouraged. Large-scale indoor events, such as conventions, will be allowed to occur with testing or vaccination verification requirements.  

California is able to reopen fully and safely because of our commitment to the equitable distribution of vaccines. Today, the state reached a total of 4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered to Californians in some of the state’s hardest-hit communities, less than a month after delivering 2 million doses to these communities. The state, in partnership with local government, health care providers and community-based organizations, will continue its extensive efforts to get eligible Californians vaccinated, including its support of expanded hours and access through community clinics and providers, public education campaign, and support for community-based strategies such as canvassing. Equity continues to be the focus of our vaccine efforts, especially as we prepare to fully reopen.

On March 4, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state had set aside 40 percent of vaccine doses for the hardest-hit communities and established an equity metric to increase vaccinations in those communities. Doing so recognizes that the pandemic did not affect California communities equally. Forty percent of COVID cases and deaths have occurred in the lowest quartile of the Healthy Places Index (HPI), which provides overall scores and data that predict life expectancy and compares community conditions that shape health across the state.

California continues to plan for the vaccination of Californians under 16 years of age, protection against new variants and continued tracking and containment of spread. The state stands ready to mobilize additional resources if there is an increase in cases.

Here is the California Senate Republican response to Newsom’s plan to reopen California:

Wilk’s Statement on Governor’s ‘Recall Reopening’

SACRAMENTO – Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Today, Governor Newsom announced he expected the state to return to a more normal, pre-pandemic days and to open the economy by June 15. If this is true, and the state can open safely, it is time to end the emergency authority given to the Governor last March when the pandemic began.

Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) reacts to Governor Newsom’s announcement:

“It is amazing what a recall can do to eradicate a pandemic. For months, the Governor has ignored science and data. If the Governor’s predictions hold true, and the ‘recall reopening’ actually happens, this is great news for our students, families, and business community. It also means the Governor’s emergency authority should come to an end. Because if you believe him, we are out of the woods. Right?”

Senate Republicans have introduced legislation to end the Governor’s Emergency Power:

• Senate Concurrent 5 (Melendez): would restore the balance of power to three co-equal branches and terminate the Governor’s emergency power.

• Senate Bill 448 (Melendez): would require future emergency orders to be narrow in scope and limited in duration.

• Senate Bill 209: (Dahle): would require the legislature to revisit the Governor’s emergency power after 45 days.

Orange based solar energy contractor found to have misled consumers

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SACRAMENTO – The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) today permanently barred James Jacob Berry and any company he owns or controls from seeking future enrollment as a PACE solicitor’s agent or PACE solicitor, after finding that Berry and his three companies misled consumers by marketing their product as a “no-cost” government-funded program.

The companies, which include a former PACE solicitor disenrolled by its program administrator, would have fallen outside the regulatory oversight of the Department prior to the passage of the California Consumer Financial Protection Law (CCFPL), which took effect Jan. 1, 2021. Berry and his companies evaded PACE laws by using an unenrolled company to advertise and solicit consumers for PACE financing.

“The new law allows us to fill gaps in PACE regulation and oversight so we can better protect consumers from misinformation and outright lies,” said DFPI Commissioner Manuel P. Alvarez. “This action today shows our intent to vigorously protect Californians against improper PACE solicitors.”

The DFPI entered into a consent order with Berry and his companies: Community Solar Inc., doing business as Premier Community Construction; PACE Consulting Agency Inc., doing business as The PACE Program of California; and PACE Marketing & Communications after finding that Berry and his companies evaded PACE laws by using an unenrolled company to advertise and solicit consumers for PACE financing.

In addition to barring Berry, the DFPI ordered Berry and his companies to stop offering PACE financing to consumers and to stop using “PACE” in its business names, websites, marketing materials, or communications.

In the action against Berry and his companies, the DFPI found that The PACE Program of California offered and sold PACE financing to consumers without enrolling with a PACE program administrator. Berry and his companies also failed to provide clear and accurate information to consumers about how PACE financing works, and misled consumers about their relationships with public agencies, lenders, PACE program administrators, and each other.

As detailed in the DFPI’s order, Berry and his companies are charged with misleading California consumers by engaging in unfair and deceptive marketing tactics that offered “no-cost” government-funded PACE projects. The order also outlines how Berry deceived homeowners by making it appear that The PACE Program of California was a California government agency or affiliate through its website and mailers to Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County homeowners.

Even though a PACE administrator disenrolled Community Solar Inc. and Berry last year, Berry continued to use the PACE name in his other business and on his company websites. Before the California Consumer Financial Protection Law went into effect, the DFPI did not have the authority to pursue actions against unenrolled individuals.

PACE is a financing program that allows homeowners to finance certain clean energy projects such as solar panels, water heaters, and windows. PACE financing is funded by private lenders and is secured by a lien on the property, but public agencies facilitate PACE financing by adding a special assessment to the homeowner’s property tax. If the homeowner does not pay the special assessment, the lender can enforce the lien, including through foreclosure.

The DFPI licenses and regulates PACE program administrators, but because the DFPI is not authorized to license PACE solicitors and PACE solicitor agents, PACE customers should check to make sure that anyone offering them PACE financing is enrolled with a California-licensed program administrator by visiting the DFPI website at https://dfpi.ca.gov/pace-program-administrators/. Consumers should also ask the program administrator about the enrollment status of the solicitor and agent, and any complaints filed against them.

The DFPI continues to investigate fraudulent practices by those involved in PACE financing. If you currently have or have been offered PACE financing for your home improvement project and believe that you have been a victim of unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices, please contact the DFPI at (866) 275-2677 or Ask.DFPI@dfpi.ca.gov. More information regarding PACE financing can be found at https://dfpi.ca.gov/pace/.

In addition to regulating PACE administrators, the DFPI licenses and regulates financial products and services, including state-chartered banks and credit unions, student loan servicers, commodities and investment advisers, money transmitters, the offer and sale of securities and franchises, broker-dealers, non-bank installment lenders, payday lenders, mortgage lenders and servicers, escrow companies, debt collectors, rent-to-own contractors, credit repair companies,  consumer credit reporting agencies, debt-relief companies, and more.

The State of CA will expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility starting on April 1

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SACRAMENTO – With supply of vaccines expected to significantly increase in the coming weeks, the state is expanding vaccine eligibility to more Californians. Starting April 1, individuals aged 50+ will be eligible to make an appointment, and individuals 16+ will be eligible to make an appointment to be vaccinated starting on April 15.

“With vaccine supply increasing and by expanding eligibility to more Californians, the light at the end of the tunnel continues to get brighter,” said Governor Newsom. “We remain focused on equity as we extend vaccine eligibility to those 50 and over starting April 1, and those 16 and older starting April 15. This is possible thanks to the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration and the countless public health officials across the state who have stepped up to get shots into arms.”

Based on the current estimates, California expects to be allocated approximately 2.5 million first and second doses per week in the first half of April, and more than 3 million doses in the second half of April. California currently receives about 1.8 million doses per week. These estimates may be adjusted as time goes on. The state has the capacity to administer more than 3 million vaccines per week, and is building the capacity to administer 4 million vaccines weekly by the end of April.

“We are even closer to putting this pandemic behind us with today’s announcement and with vaccine supplies expected to increase dramatically in the months ahead,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “However, we are not there yet. It will take time to vaccinate all eligible Californians. During this time, we must not let our guard down. It is important that we remain vigilant, continue to wear masks and follow public health guidance.”

In addition to increased allocations of vaccines to providers serving the hardest hit communities, the state has embarked on a series of initiatives to vaccinate those populations that have faced the highest rates of COVID infections before vaccines become available to the entire 16+ population. These efforts include:

  • Provider funding for programs to reach and vaccinate communities facing the biggest health disparities
  • Working with organized labor to reach essential workers
  • Partnering with agricultural organizations and community-based organizations to vaccinate agricultural workers
  • Allowing providers to target by ZIP code via My Turn with single-use codes (scheduled to launch at the end of March)
  • Supporting a subset of community-based organizations currently partnering with the state on COVID-19 education to provide direct vaccination appointment assistance
  • Prioritizing currently eligible populations and allowing providers the discretion to vaccinate those who live in high-impact areas (County Healthy Places Index Quartiles 1 and 2), including families

Even with expanded vaccine supplies, it is expected to take several months for willing Californians to be vaccinated. Based on public information shared by vaccine manufacturers and the federal government, California expects to receive several million vaccine doses per week starting sometime in April.

Along with the expanded eligibility and to align with upcoming federal guidance, California will update its vaccine allocation methodology. This will transition over four weeks, beginning with the March 22 allocation (delivered to providers the following week), from one based on the distribution of the 65+ population, workers in the agriculture and food, education and child care, and emergency services sectors to one based on the distribution of the 16+ population across California. This will be done in conjunction with completion of the shift to the state directly allocating vaccines to providers. The state will continue to double the amount of vaccine allocated to the lowest Healthy Places Index (HPI) quartile as announced on March 4.

Forty percent of COVID-19 cases and deaths have occurred in the lowest quartile of the HPI, developed by the Public Health Alliance of Southern California, which provides overall scores and data that predict life expectancy and compares community conditions that shape health across the state. The rate of infections for households making less than $40,000 per year (5.7) is 84 percent higher than that of households with an income of $120,000 or more (3.1). At the same time, California’s wealthiest populations have received 50 percent more vaccinations when compared to the rate of our most vulnerable populations. This approach recognizes that the pandemic did not affect California communities equally and that the state is committed to doing better.

Former Councilman Solorio has been appointed to the CA Water Commission

Posted on by Posted in California, Civic Affairs, Gavin Newsom, Jose Solorio, Politics, Santa Ana, Water Leave a comment

Jose Solorio, 50, of Santa Ana, has been appointed to the California Water Commission. Solorio has been a Government Affairs Officer at Moulton Niguel Water District since 2018. He was a Santa Ana City Council Member from 2016 to 2020 and from 2000 to 2006, Senior Policy Advisor at Nossaman LLP from 2014 to 2017 and a California State Assemblymember for the 69th District from 2006 to 2012. Solorio was a Marketing Program Administrator and Government Relations Representative at the Orange County Transportation Authority from 1998 to 2006.

Solorio earned a Master of Public Policy degree in government and business policy from Harvard University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Solorio is a Democrat.

The California Water Commission consists of nine members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. Seven members are chosen for their expertise related to the control, storage, and beneficial use of water and two are chosen for their knowledge of the environment. The Commission provides a public forum for discussing water issues, advises the Director of the Department of Water Resources on matters within the Department’s jurisdiction, approves rules and regulations, and monitors and reports on the construction and operation of the State Water Project. Proposition 1: The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act approved by voters in 2014, gave the Commission new responsibilities regarding the distribution of public funds set aside for the public benefits of water storage projects, and developing regulations for the quantification and management of those benefits. In 2018, the Commission made maximum conditional eligibility determinations for eight projects in the Water Storage Investment Program.  

Here is Solorio’s reaction via Facebook: Thank you Governor Newsom for appointing me to the CA Water Commission! Raised in a farmworker family in Kern County, we always talked about water. Grateful also to Moulton Niguel Water District, Metropolitan Water District of So. Cal., Orange County Water District, Santa Ana Regional Quality Water Board, So. Cal. Water Coalition and City of Santa Ana for the many other insights about water! The Commissioner role is part-time, so I’ll continue working for Moulton Niguel and living in Santa Ana.

Orange County returns to the Red Tier on Sunday, March 14

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Santa Ana, Calif. (March 12, 2021) –Today the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today announced that 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to Californians in some of the state’s hardest-hit communities, increasing immunity where the state’s transmission rates and disease burden have been the highest during the pandemic. With this equity metric met, and because vaccines slow the spread of disease and serious illness, the previously announced update to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy to account for progress with vaccine administration goes into effect. Effective Sunday, March 14, Orange County will move into the Red Tier the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy after having met Red Tier metrics.

As a result, many local businesses and activities in Orange County will either be allowed to expand capacity or resume operations. Please visit the State’s website at https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/, enter Orange in the County field and business or activity of interest in the Activity field and click the Get Latest Risk Levels button to view its status under the Red Tier. As an additional resource, residents may visit https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/Dimmer-Framework-September_2020.pdf for the activities and businesses that are permitted under each Tier by the State.

In addition, CDPH announced that beginning on Saturday, March 13, breweries, wineries and distilleries that do not serve meals may open outdoors only with modifications in the Purple (widespread) and Red (substantial) tiers. The modifications include ensuring that patrons have reservations and patrons observe a 90-minute time limit. Service for on-site consumption must end by 8 p.m. The updated guidance does not apply to breweries, wineries and distilleries that provide meals. Those establishments should continue to follow the restaurant guidance. However, bars that do not serve meals must remain closed in the Purple and Red tiers.

Beginning June 1, overnight sleepaway camps will be allowed to resume with modifications in the Red, Orange and Yellow tiers.

For questions related to COVID-19, visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).

Amazon and their Santa Ana based contractor fined $6.4M for wage theft violations

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Los Angeles—The Labor Commissioner’s Office has cited Green Messengers Inc. and Amazon.com Services LLC $6.4 million for wage theft violations affecting 718 workers. The Santa Ana-based contractor delivered packages for Amazon.com Services in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties.

The Labor Commissioner’s Office opened an investigation in June 2019 after receiving a report of labor law violations indicating Green Messenger workers were experiencing wage theft because they were not paid properly and did not receive correct pay statements. Green Messengers provided delivery services for Amazon.com.

The investigation found that from April 2018 to January 2020, delivery drivers were scheduled to work 10-hour workdays and required to finish an Amazon delivery route in those 10 hours using Green Messenger or Amazon vehicles. Due to the number of deliveries, drivers often had to work through their meal and rest breaks, and were not paid properly for the extra time when they had to work 11 or more hours to complete the route. This resulted in frequent minimum wage, overtime, meal break, rest period and split-shift violations.

“Contracting out services does not release employers from their duty to ensure workers are being legally compensated,” said California Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower. “In this case, both Green Messengers and Amazon.com Services are responsible for the wage theft that these workers suffered.”

The citations total $6,454,110, with $5,304,768 owed to the 718 workers. The amount payable to workers includes $3,377,988 in liquidated damages and waiting time penalties, $762,850 in penalty assessments for not providing proper wage statements, $882,735 for split-shift, meal and rest break premiums, and $281,195 for minimum wage, overtime and contract wages.

Green Messengers and Amazon.com Services are responsible for the amounts due to workers according to California’s client-employer liability law, in effect since 2015. The law holds client-employers that obtain labor from a subcontractor liable for their workplace violations.

The citations issued to Green Messengers Inc. include $1,149,342 in civil penalties payable to the state.

The companies have appealed the citations. Under the appeal procedure, the Labor Commissioner’s Office will hold a hearing before a Hearing Officer who will affirm, modify or dismiss the citations.

When workers are paid less than minimum wage, they are entitled to liquidated damages that equal the amount of underpaid minimum wages plus interest. Waiting time penalties are imposed when the employer intentionally fails to pay all wages due to the employee at the time of separation. This penalty is calculated by taking the employee’s daily rate of pay and multiplying it by the number of days the employee was not paid, up to a maximum of 30 days.

The Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, or the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, combats wage theft and unfair competition by investigating allegations of illegal and unfair business practices.

The Labor Commissioner’s Office has launched an interdisciplinary outreach campaign, “Reaching Every Californian.” The campaign amplifies basic protections and builds pathways to impacted populations so that workers and employers understand legal protections, obligations and how to defend them. Californians can follow the Labor Commissioner on Facebook and on Twitter.

Governor Newsom acts to provide relief to Californians experiencing pandemic hardship

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SACRAMENTO – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a comprehensive package of immediate actions that will speed needed relief to individuals, families and businesses suffering the most significant economic hardship due to COVID-19.

The package, passed by the Legislature this week, builds on the initiatives in the Governor’s January state budget proposal to provide cash relief to lower-income Californians, increase aid to small businesses and provide license renewal fee waivers to businesses impacted by the pandemic. In addition to these measures, today’s action will commit additional resources for critical child care services and fund emergency financial aid for community college students.

“As millions of Californians are struggling to make ends meet amid the devastating impacts of this pandemic, we are taking immediate action in partnership with our legislative leadership to provide families and businesses the relief they need,” said Governor Newsom. “This critical assistance – including child care, relief for small business owners, direct cash support to individuals and households, financial aid for community college students and more – will help keep our communities afloat as the state continues to confront the immense challenges of this moment.”

“These bills help Californians pay their bills, and provide bread-and-butter relief to the small businesses that make our communities great, and who in turn, are the cornerstone of our economy. Stores we rely upon, restaurants we love, and services our families have turned to for years,” said Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins. “This is what we can do right now to help them, but it isn’t the end of our efforts. Not by a long shot.”

“Californians are hurting. This plan represents a way of softening the human and economic blows of COVID. More than that, it builds an economic foundation for recovery. This is the people of California saying that we will not leave behind those who are hurting most, whether they are individuals or small businesses. This is California strong,” said Speaker Anthony Rendon.

Below are key provisions of the bills signed into law:

Direct Relief to Individuals and Families

Incorporates the Governor’s Golden State Stimulus plan to assist California households that have borne the disproportionate economic burden of the COVID-19 Recession – those with incomes below $30,000, as well as those unfairly excluded from previous federal stimulus payments.

Provides $600 in one-time relief to households receiving the California EITC for 2020. In addition, the agreement provides a $600 one-time payment to taxpayers with Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITINs) who were precluded from receiving the $1,200 per person federal payments issued last spring and the more recent $600 federal payments. Today’s action also provides $600 payments to households with ITINs and income below $75,000. ITIN taxpayers who also qualify for the California EITC would receive a total of $1,200. The payments will be provided to these households shortly after they file their 2020 tax returns.

Provides direct relief to additional lower-income Californians through a $600 one-time grant to households enrolled in the CalWORKS program and recipients of SSI/SSP and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI). Grant payments for CalWORKS households are expected by mid-April; timing for the delivery of SSI/SSP and CAPI grants is currently under discussion with federal officials.

Combined, the package represents a total of 5.7 million payments to low-income Californians.

Immediate Relief for Small Businesses

Provides $2.1 billion – a four-fold increase over the $500 million currently being distributed – for grants up to $25,000 for small businesses impacted by the pandemic, and allocates $50 million of this total for non-profit cultural institutions.

Fee Waivers for Heavily Impacted Licensees

Two years of fee relief for roughly 59,000 restaurants and bars licensed through the state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control that can range annually from $455 to $1,235. The action also reflects fee relief for more than 600,000 barbering and cosmetology individuals and businesses licensed through the Department of Consumer Affairs.

More Resources for Critical Child Care

Addition of just over $400 million in new federal funds to provide stipends of $525 per enrolled child for all state-subsidized child care and preschool providers serving approximately 400,000 children in subsidized care statewide. The new federal resources will extend care for children of essential workers through June of 2022, and funds increased access to subsidized child care for more than 8,000 children of essential workers and at-risk children – who are not currently served in the system – through June of 2022.

Additional Aid for Individuals and Families

Provides an additional $24 million for financial assistance and services through Housing for the Harvest – a program providing support for agricultural workers who have to quarantine due to COVID-19. The effort also provides a combined $35 million for food banks and diapers.

Emergency Financial Relief to Support Community College Students

Provides an additional $100 million in emergency financial aid for qualifying low-income students carrying six or more units, with award amounts to be determined locally and made available by early April. In addition, the agreement provides $20 million to reengage students who have either left their community college studies because of the pandemic or to engage students at risk of leaving.

CalFresh Student Outreach and Application Assistance

Provides roughly $6 million to support outreach and application assistance to University of California, California State University and California Community College students made newly eligible for CalFresh – the state-administered federal program for supplemental food assistance. The agreement also provides $12 million in state funds to support associated county administrative workload.

In addition, the following provision is included in today’s action:

Restoration of Reductions

Restoration of the previously enacted reductions, effective July 1st, for the University of California, California State University, the Judicial Branch, Child Support Services and for moderate-income housing.

The Governor signed the following bills into law today:

  • AB 81 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – COVID-19 relief.
  • AB 82 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – COVID-19 pandemic emergency: contact tracing: childcare.
  • AB 85 by the Committee on Budget – Budget Act of 2020.
  • SB 87 by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) – California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program: income tax: gross income: exclusion: small business grants.
  • SB 88 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – One-time stimulus payment: delinquent accounts: Earned Income Tax Credit: statements.
  • SB 94 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) – Alcoholic beverage control: barbering and cosmetology: license renewal fees: waiver.

For full text of the bills, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

Rental assistance for Santa Ana residents

Posted on by Posted in California, Housing, Santa Ana, Tom Daly Leave a comment

As one of its first actions this year, the Legislature passed the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act Extension of 2021. This Act provides much needed relief to Californians who are experiencing financial hardships resulting from the pandemic, including:

  • Extends eviction protections to COVID-19 impacted tenants until June 30, 2021
  • Establishes the State’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program to help Californians pay for unpaid back rent

Please use the links provided below for more information on how to get help.

For more information about the State’s eviction protections and guidelines for tenants, landlords, and homeowners, please visit HousingIsKey.com or call the California Housing is Key COVID-19 Assistance Line at 1-833-422-4255.

Thank you for continuing to do your part to protect yourself and others.
If you have any questions, please visit Assemblymember Daly’s website or call the district office at (714) 939-8469.

Public assistance programs available to Santa Ana residents

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California offers public assistance programs to low-income families to help those in crisis by providing access to timely public services, such as those offered through the County of Orange Social Services Agency. Here are a few:

  • CalWORKs – The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program is a cash aid program for low income families with children which assists with basic needs, as well as provides education, employment, and training programs. Eligible families must have a child(ren) under age 18 who is/are deprived of parental support or care if either or both parent(s) are: deceased, physically or mentally incapacitated, unemployed, and/or continually absent from the home.
  • CalFresh – The CalFresh program is a federal nutrition program that helps eligible, low-income people purchase food necessary for good health. CalFresh benefits are not cash. For most households, CalFresh benefits are only part of their food budget and some households will be required to spend some of their own cash along with their CalFresh benefits. Households that are eligible will receive an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card which can be used at most grocery stores when buying food items.
  • Medi-Cal – The Medi-Cal program provides free or low cost medical services for children and adults with limited income and resources. Eligibility for Medi-Cal is primarily based on income with some programs requiring an asset test. An individual’s citizenship/immigration status, as well as California residency, is used to determine eligibility and level of Medi-Cal benefits. Medi-Cal benefits cover a core set of medical services, including doctor visits, hospital care, dental benefits, mental health services, COVID-19 testing and pregnancy-related services.

Apply for CalWORKs, CalFresh and Medi-Cal or check using one of the options below:

  • Online: www.mybenefitscalwin.org
  • By phone: (800) 281-9799, Monday – Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. or Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • In-person (for immediate needs): operating hours and locations subject to change; visit ssa.ocgov.com/locations for more information

Stay at home order lifted, street sweeping tickets resume Feb. 2

Posted on by Posted in California, Civic Affairs, Disease, Health and Medical, Santa Ana, Street Sweeping Leave a comment

STAY AT HOME ORDER LIFTED

Santa Ana and Orange County are no longer in a Stay at Home Order and have returned to the Purple Tier of COVID-19 restrictions, which allows outdoor dining, hair salons to open with modifications and other limited operations.

Officials with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today ended the Regional Stay at Home Order for all regions statewide because four-week ICU capacity is above 15%. This allows counties to return to the rules and framework of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and color-coded tiers that indicate which activities and businesses are open based on local case rates and test positivity.

While there are positive signs that the virus is spreading at a slower rate across the state, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. It is still critical that Californians continue to wear masks when they leave their homes, maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet, wash their hands frequently, avoid gatherings and mixing with other households, follow all state and local health department guidance, and get the vaccine when it’s their turn.

The Limited Stay at Home Order curfew, which limits non-essential activities between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., expired with the Regional Stay At Home Order.

• Current Pandemic Restrictions: https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/

• OC Public Health Agency FAQs: https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/article/oc-health-officers-orders-recommendations

• City of Santa Ana Pandemic Resources: https://www.santa-ana.org/covid19

• Orange County COVID-19 Hotline: (714) 834-2000

STREET SWEEPING TICKETS TO RESUME FEB. 2
With the end of the Stay at Home Order, the City of Santa Ana will resume issuing street sweeping tickets on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.

The City is not restarting street sweeping tickets immediately in order to ensure residents are aware that tickets will be starting again.

EVICTION MORATORIUM EXTENSION
State lawmakers today announced a deal to extend the statewide residential eviction moratorium through June 30, 2021. The legislation must be approved this week in order to go into effect before the current moratorium expires on Feb. 1.

More details will be available after the eviction bill is approved.

The federal Centers for Disease Control already extended its temporary halt on residential evictions until at least March 31, 2021. For more information, go to: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-eviction-declaration.html

COVID-19 TESTING
• At-Home Saliva Test: https://oc.care.ambrygen.com/#/cit/landing
• At-Home Nostril Swab Test: https://picturegenetics.com/covid19
• OC COVID-19 Testing Network: Community health centers offer free testing without insurance for people with symptoms. Info: https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/oc-covid-19-testing-network-those-symptoms
• County Super Sites: Drive-through testing BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Anaheim Convention Center (800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim) and OC Fair & Event Center (88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa). Make an appointment: https://360clinic.fulgentgenetics.com/appointment/screen/landing
• Walk-Up State Testing Sites: Free testing at Buena Park, Orange and Santa Ana locations. Info: https://lhi.care/covidtesting
• Clinics, Pharmacies and Urgent Care: https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/testing-resources-orange-county
• More Testing Information: www.santa-ana.org/covid19/free-covid-19-testing

VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
The OC Public Health Agency has opened two Super Point of Distribution Sites for vaccinations in Anaheim and Aliso Viejo, with plans to open three more. Vaccines are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY and are currently being provided to healthcare and emergency services workers and people age 65 and older.

More information: https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/covid-19-vaccine-resources.

RENTAL ASSISTANCE
Get help paying rent from the City of Santa Ana if you have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Santa Ana residents only. Info: www.santa-ana.org/covid19/rental-relief/cares-for-tenants

BUSINESS RESOURCES
• Paycheck Protection Program: From January 13, 2021, until March 31, 2021, the Small Business Administration is accepting Second Draw PPP loan applications from participating lenders. The loans can be used to help fund payroll costs, including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay for mortgage interest, rent, utilities, worker protection costs related to COVID-19, uninsured property damage costs caused by looting or vandalism during 2020, and certain supplier costs and expenses for operations. Info: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program/second-draw-ppp-loans
• Small Business Grants: The Santa Ana Small Business Incentive Program provides grants of $5,000 for businesses with 5 or fewer employees. Info: www.santa-ana.org/SBIP2
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan: SBA announced that the deadline to apply for a COVID-19 pandemic Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) has been extended to Dec. 31, 2021. Info: www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/economic-injury-disaster-loans

CA Public Health officials lift the Regional Stay at Home Order for all regions

Posted on by Posted in California, Disease, Health and Medical, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SACRAMENTO – Officials with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today ended the Regional Stay at Home Order, lifting the order for all regions statewide, including the three regions that had still been under the order – San Joaquin Valley, Bay Area and Southern California. Four-week ICU capacity projections for these three regions are above 15%, the threshold that allows regions to exit the order. The Sacramento Region exited the order on January 12 and the Northern California region never entered the order.

This action allows all counties statewide to return to the rules and framework of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and color-coded tiers that indicate which activities and businesses are open based on local case rates and test positivity. The majority of the counties are in the strictest, or purple tier. Tier updates are provided weekly on Tuesdays. Individual counties could choose to impose stricter rules.

“Californians heard the urgent message to stay home as much as possible and accepted that challenge to slow the surge and save lives,” said Dr. Tomás Aragón, CDPH director and state public health officer. “Together, we changed our activities knowing our short-term sacrifices would lead to longer-term gains. COVID-19 is still here and still deadly, so our work is not over, but it’s important to recognize our collective actions saved lives and we are turning a critical corner.” 

While there are positive signs that the virus is spreading at a slower rate across the state, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. It is still critical that Californians continue to wear masks when they leave their homes, maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet, wash their hands frequently, avoid gatherings and mixing with other households, follow all state and local health department guidance and get the vaccine when it’s their turn.

The state, in collaboration with local health departments and health care facilities statewide, took a long list of actions to support California’s hospitals and slow the surge in cases and hospitalizations.

  • The Regional Stay at Home Order urged Californians to stay home except for essential activities, which helped lower disease transmission levels and reduce burden on the hospital system.
  • California deployed more than 4,100 medical professionals to facilities across the state to ease the burden on frontline health care workers.
  • The state provided assistance within hospitals in the form of personal protective equipment, ventilators and help with oxygen supply.
  • California also helped hospitals expand their capacity by opening 16 alternate care sites, lower-acuity facilities where COVID-19 patients get a bridge from hospital to home as they are recovering.
  • Public health leaders implemented a statewide order to make it easier to transfer patients from over-crowded hospitals to those with more space and staff.
  • The administration of vaccines to health care workers has meant that fewer health care workers are falling ill to the virus, which helps keep staffing levels more stable.

“California is slowly starting to emerge from the most dangerous surge of this pandemic yet, which is the light at the end of the tunnel we’ve been hoping for,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “Seven weeks ago, our hospitals and front-line medical workers were stretched to their limits, but Californians heard the urgent message to stay home when possible and our surge after the December holidays did not overwhelm the health care system to the degree we had feared.”

Nearly all the counties exiting the Regional Stay at Home Order today are in the Purple or widespread (most restrictive) tier. Services and activities, such as outdoor dining and personal services, may resume immediately with required modifications, subject to any additional restrictions required by local jurisdictions. See the county map to find the status of activities open in each county.

Because case rates remain high across most of the state, the state’s Hospital Surge Order remains in place to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. The Limited Stay at Home Order, which limits non-essential activities between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., expires with the Regional Stay At Home Order ending.

Moderna Vaccine LOT # 041L20A cleared by the CA Health Dept.

Posted on by Posted in California, Disease, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana, Calif. (January 21, 2021) – On Monday, January 18, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) directed providers to pause dispensing COVID-19 vaccine Moderna Lot # 041L20A due to reported cases of adverse reactions in California.

Late last night, CDPH announced that after further discussions with the Western State Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, Allergy and Immunology specialists, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the manufacturer, CDPH found no scientific basis to continue the pause.

Providers that paused vaccine administration from this particular lot of Moderna vaccine can immediately resume dispensing. The CDC further advised that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Many people don’t have any side effects after COVID-19 vaccines, but some people will have pain or swelling at the injection site or fever, chills, or a headache.  These typically don’t last long and are signs that your body is building protection.

For questions related to COVID-19, visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).

CA court rules that human traffickers can face max sentences even if police posed as minors

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SANTA ANA, Calif. – Human traffickers who believe they are communicating with a child instead of an undercover officer in an attempt to prostitute that child can face the maximum sentence allowed by California human trafficking law, the California Supreme Court ruled today.

The Supreme Court reversed the Fourth District Court of Appeal (DCA) decision in People v. Antonio Chavez Moses III. A jury convicted Antonio Chavez Moses III (16NF1413) of a violation of PC 236.1(c) where he attempted to traffic a minor who was actually an adult undercover officer. 

In a published opinion, Judge Thomas J. Goethals reversed that conviction holding that the defendant could only have been convicted of a lesser charge given that the person Moses was targeting was an undercover police officer and not actually a minor. 

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office sent a letter to the California Supreme Court asking the Court to review the case on its own, and the Supreme Court accepted that invitation.

In November 2012, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 35 – Ban on Human Trafficking and Sex Slavery. Eighty-one percent of the voters supported Proposition 35 which increased prison sentences for human traffickers.

“We believed in this law all along, and we believed in the intent of California’s voters to increase penalties for human trafficking, including those who prey on children,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has been unwavering in its commitment to investigating and prosecuting human traffickers and protecting our children. The California Supreme Court unanimously interpreted a voter initiative in the way it was intended – to allow law enforcement to continue to have the strongest tools possible to combat child predators. Children across California will be safer as a result.”

Under Proposition 35, human traffickers can be sentenced to a maximum 12 years in state prison for completing the act of prostituting a minor. The Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled that because there was never a minor actually involved Moses could only be sentenced to a maximum sentence of six years in state prison.

The Supreme Court disagreed, stating “The electorate’s intent to ensure just and effective punishment of child predators is demonstrated by section 236.1, subdivision (f), which holds the defendant liable for targeting an actual minor victim even if the defendant believes the victim is an adult. There is no reason to conclude from the ballot materials that the electorate intended to impose lesser punishment on a defendant who intentionally targets a minor but fails in the attempt because the target is actually an adult. Given the initiative’s stated purpose, it is more reasonable to conclude that section 236.1(c) operates as a one-way ratchet to increase punishment for both such offenders.”

The California Supreme Court opinion can be found here:

https://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/S258143.PDF