New bill proposes to add 700,000 California families to Young Child Tax Credit

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH

(The Center Square) — Assemblyman Miguel Santiago announced this week a bipartisan bill to help struggling families in the face of rising inflation.

Assembly Bill 1128, co-authored by fellow Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R) and state senators Bill Dodd (D) and Lena A. Gonzalez (D) modifies the Personal Income Tax Law.

“This bill would remove the requirement that a qualifying child has to be younger than 6 years of age as of the last day of the taxable year,” Assemblyman Santiago, D-Los Angeles, said.

“AB 1128 offers hope for Californians who are struggling to make ends meet by providing much-needed financial relief that puts money back in their pockets to reduce the risk of children falling back into poverty while promoting greater economic stability. California must take action before families are forced into more and harder, impossible

Williams

Continued from Page A3 it’s going to be OK. We want you to be at your best, and it doesn’t mean you’re a bad person or a bad teammate. You’re in a safe space.”

Jensen Williams’ unshakeable self-motivation and determination to prove she can be a Division I player has yielded some remarkable performances, including last month’s 37-point career-high at Cuesta and a 26-1210 triple-double posted recently at Monterey Peninsula, both resulting in SBCC wins.

“I’m just really determined to feel what it’s like to reach a goal. To be rewarded for all the work that I’m doing,” she said. “I know that everything is earned. If a

Weather

Continued from Page A1 and a 70% chance during the day.

Santa Ynez includes showers with a low of 37 and a high of 50 with a 100% chance of precipitation at night and an 80% chance during the day.

Cuyama includes snow with a low of 31 and a high of 41 with a 100% chance of precipitation at night and an 80% chance during the day.

Zoom

Continued from Page A1 been going on for about a month.

Dr. Reineck explained how the special Zoom calls started.

“During COVID, we were having classes on Zoom seven days a week within two weeks. We had classes every day seven days a week for a year and a half without missing a day,” she explained. “We created a space for those who were disoriented and lonely where they could be together.

“Post-pandemic we slowly began resuming in-person classes. One Zoom class has remained on Sundays. So we have always maintained this one Zoom class,” said Dr. Reineck. “We are very involved and talking to local Ukranians in Santa Barbara. We are like family.

“We were Zooming in with the friends of some of our local Ukrainians based in Ukraine. We then invited them to join us for our Sunday Zoom sessions, and a few of the Ukrainians started joining us.”

“There is a phenomenal connection between hearts and minds through music,” Dr. Reineck said. “Some people invite their parents, husbands or kids to the

Peeping

Continued from Page A1 tradeoffs,” Assemblyman Santiago continued.

“As a result of that investigation, the District Attorney’s Office charged Mr. Asinobi with allegedly placing hidden cameras in places where persons had a reasonable expectation of privacy,” she told the News-Press previously.

Mr. Asinobi was charged with unlawful electronic peeping between Oct. 1, 2021 and Feb. 15, 2022.

Rising inflation presents an ongoing challenge to lowand middle-income families in California. The bill aims at providing a social safety net to the 67% of families with annual incomes under $35,000 who struggled last year to make ends meet.

In California, a salary of $35,000 can be taxed over $6,000, reducing the take-home pay to just below $29,000 at an average tax rate of 17.8%

Rising inflation in the Golden State has compounded the deficit with increased costs in food, gas and rent.

Specifically, AB 1128 would expand the young child tax credit to include all children of school age, i.e. 6-18, and children up to 23 who are students. Children with disabilities of any age are included in the changes.

“These are hard-working families struggling to make ends meet on less than $30,000 a year. California can and must step up to coach is asking for something, you have to give them what they’re asking for or they won’t want you, simple as that. The goal of this season is to show that I am a D-I level basketball player and that I can change a program with my leadership and mindset at the forefront.”

Considering all that Jensen Williams brings to the table, Krul thinks it would be a huge mistake to not give her star sophomore a shot.

“These coaches are sleeping on her because they don’t know what they’re getting. She’s not a 6-1 shooting guard or a 6-5 post player, but what she does is the intangibles,” Krul said. “She’s not going to be the one complaining about not getting playing time. She’s going to be your hardest weekly calls. I have never had anything like this ever. I don’t think there is anything like this happening in the world. We are getting together to feel each other’s realities every week. We talk and dance to Ukrainian and American music and then we talk again.” support all children, regardless of age and household income,” said Mónica Lazo, policy manager at Golden State Opportunity. “We know that the costs of raising a child don’t stop at 6 years old, so our support shouldn’t stop either.” worker. She’s going to work her way up and make others better. This is a person who someone has to take a chance on.”

The sun will be back on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Thursday’s forecast in Santa Barbara includes sun with a low of 34 and a high of 60 and a 10% chance of precipitation at night with a 0% chance during the day.

The forecast for UCSB includes sun with a low of 33 and a high of 58 with a 10% chance of precipitation at night and a 0% chance during the day.

Lompoc will be sunny with a low of 34 and a high of 59 with zero chance for precipitation.

The California Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition is sponsoring the bill and is asking Gov. Gavin Newsom and the legislature to increase the minimum earned income tax credit to $300 and maintain a budget for free income tax assistance programs.

The bill is unveiled just as pandemic relief programs come to an end and the enhancements to the federal Child Tax Credit and federal Earned Income Tax Credit, which positively impacted child poverty levels during the pandemic, expire.

If enacted, AB 1128 would add 700,000 families to the eligibility of the Young Child Tax Credit with an anticipated return of up to $1,083 per annum, expanding the program to all qualified California Earned Income Tax Credit households.

Isabella Jensen Williams was once on the brink of flunking out of high school. Now, after leading her team back into the postseason, she’s on the brink of leaving her legacy at SBCC.

“There are so many people like Bells who quit in high school because they didn’t realize a miracle could happen. You just have to find the right people, the right program, the right support system,” Krul concluded. “Her story… It’s a story of hope.” email: sports@newspress.com email: kzehnder@newspress.com

Michael Jorgenson works in communications/media relations at Santa Barbara City College.

Santa Maria will be sunny with a low of 29 — below freezing — and a high of 58 with zero chance for precipitation. Santa Ynez will be sunny with a low of 27 degrees and a high of 60 degrees with a 10% chance of precipitation at night and a 0% chance during the day.

Cuyama will be sunny with a low of 24 and a high of 51 degrees with a 30% chance of precipitation at night and a 0% chance during the day.

Fyi

To donate to World Dance for Humanity’s efforts to help Ukrainians, go to worlddanceforhumanity.org/ wish-list. One hundred percent of the funds donated go toward the cause. The Zoom calls, which are free and open to people around the world (including Ukraine), are at 10 a.m. every Sunday. You can join the virtual sessions at zoom.us/ j/823393549#success.

The News-Press asked Dr. Reineck to describe the atmosphere during these weekly calls. “It is a real mix with lots of emotion and excitement. It is a charged atmosphere. There is an excitement to meet each other and be together. It is exciting to meet new people in Ukraine. There are happy moments and laughter. We are getting to know people who come regularly. The music evokes tragedy and sorrow, and we go with those emotions.”

These weekly Zoom calls are open to everyone, and there is no charge. “Everyone and anybody can participate including kids,

The complaint filed against him alleges that Mr. Asinobi “willfully and unlawfully used a concealed camcorder, motion picture camera or photographic camera to secretly videotape, film, photograph or record by electronic means another identifiable person, or through the clothing worn by that other person, for the purpose of viewing the body or undergarments worn by that other person, without that person’s knowledge or consent.” grandparents, dancers and non-dancers. Everyone is welcome. We aren’t there to talk about politics or argue about the war. This is strictly making friends and sharing a common humanity,” said Dr. Reineck. “It is growing every week, and our dancers bring friends and family members. I feel our job is to keep awareness about Ukraine alive. We do it by getting to know the people in Ukraine.

A search warrant signed on Feb.

“It raises awareness by making it real for people,” she continued.

“People get tired of hearing about wars, but this isn’t what you hear about on the nightly news. They are friends wondering if they are going to be bombed. These Sunday gatherings are the ultimate human experience connecting with people whose lives are so different and so hard and are suffering every day, but the fact when they get on the call and see that we care about Ukraine.

23, 2022 permitted the search of devices belonging to Mr. Asinobi in which the alleged recordings were located, the complaint said.

“After viewing the secret recordings, law enforcement officers were able to identify 12 of the people depicted in the recordings, and although an additional 14 were visible, they have not been identified yet,” Prosecutor Karapetian said previously.

In a move to protect the confidentiality of those alleged

Pat

Parkway

Continued from Page A1 complimented those members of the public who spoke Monday to urge the council to support making the State Street Parkway a city landmark. He thanked them for “carrying the torch” when it comes to historic preservation.

One speaker, Rick Baron, who said he’s lived in the same house on State Street for 70 years, called the State Street Parkway a reminder of the past.

“People in Santa Barbara have always cared about life here, and we should, too,” he said.

“We want to see this survive and last as something notable,” added speaker Eric Couch.

Pat Saley, an Upper East Side Association board member, said the parkway is the only one of its kind in town.

“It’s over 100 years old, and pretty much in pristine condition since it was first constructed,” she said.

Added speaker Fred Sweeney, “We’re trying to preserve a piece of significant history. It’s part of the city and who we are as citizens. I hope 100 years from now our greatgreat-grandchildren will look back and think it was the right

“They know we really care, and it really makes them hopeful. It is a profound human connection,” said Dr. Reineck. “It is a pure unadulterated connection. The advantage of Zoom is that it is focused. It is an intimate connection. We are in each other’s living rooms. There’s no formality it is as if we have known each other a long time.”

In addition to the Zoom calls, World Dance for Humanity has raised $225,000 to help Ukrainians, and Dr. Reineck explained the money is going in two directions.

“The Ukrainian church in Goleta is supplying food and supplies to refugee shelters,” she said, referring to the First Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church of Santa Barbara.

“The other is the Ukrainian Women of Santa Barbara where we send about $1,500 a week,” Dr. Reineck said. “We are connected with friends in Ukraine who are running shelters. They assess what they need versus what they can get. The check is sent to friends after a purchase list is itemized. We see every receipt, and we can account for every dollar donated.” email; kzehnder@newspress.com victims who were identified, counts 1 through 12 in the complaint lists them only by their initials. In counts 13 through 26 pertaining to alleged victims who remain unidentified, all but four are listed as Jane Doe. The final four are listed as John Doe. email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail. com thing to do.”

“In theory, he could get up to six months in county jail for each count, as they are all misdemeanors,” Prosecutor Karapetian said.

Before the public speakers and council members weighed in, Ms. Hernandez presented the council with the parkway’s history, and the reasons why it should be designated a city landmark. She noted it was an important historic resource designed in 1917 to create a tree-filled green space along the six blocks of the newly residential portion of State Street from Mission Street to Constance

Avenue.

The State Street Parkway embodies the distinctive characteristics of the City Beautiful Movement, she said, a movement that was sweeping the nation at that time. The intention was to soften and beautify State Street, she said. “The public demanded it.” email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com