Making California more affordable for all

Affordability is a problem in California, and it is taking an increasing toll on hardworking Californians.

While the economy is improving, California remains the fifth most-expensive state in which to live, and this is pushing Californians into poverty. Consider that homes in California typically cost two-and-a-half-times the national average, while rental rates and energy costs run 50 percent above the national average. Even our commutes to work cost more, with Californians paying 63 cents more per gallon of gas than the nation as a whole.

Families in my district tell me these high costs are affecting their ability to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. I understand this challenge because when my family and I came to this country as refugees in the 1980s, we struggled financially. Growing up, we relied on public assistance, and I had to work three jobs throughout college. It wasn’t easy, but over time we achieved the American Dream. I fear that now our children will only dream of reaching the American Dream but not attain it because California is such an expensive place to live, work and raise a family.

My fellow Senate Republicans and I introduced a package of 11 bills to make California more affordable. This package consists of practical solutions that assist seniors, disabled veterans, students, parents, renters, first-time homebuyers and low-income residents.

Many of these measures offer targeted tax relief. Senior and disabled veterans, for example, would benefit from Senate Bill 1104, which eliminates the property tax inflation factor, while SB1126 would do the same for seniors. SB1183 would also provide a full property tax exemption to 100 percent for disabled veterans and their spouses to use on their home, while SB1458 would align California and federal law, allowing more veterans to be eligible for this exemption.

Students and parents would get tax relief through three bills that target the cost of higher education. SB1148 would provide a deduction for expenses incurred while attending public universities or colleges; SB1210 would establish a sales tax “holiday” on school supplies; and SB1437 would provide certain families tax relief for K-12 educational expenses.

Renters would also benefit from an increase in the Renters’ Tax Credit through SB1103, while first-time homebuyers would be able to set up tax-advantaged homeownership savings accounts via SB1149.

Finally, low-income Californians would see relief via two bills that help them get to work and stay employed. SB1361 restores Medi-Cal coverage for eyeglasses for Californians who fail the DMV vision test to help them have the tools to drive to work. SB373 helps welfare-to-work recipients receive the transportation assistance they were promised.

The majority of these bills sit before the Senate Appropriations Committee, the final obstacle before reaching the full Senate. I urge committee members to allow the Senate to vote on these bills.

Affordability is not a partisan issue, and these bills are not partisan proposals. Simply put, these bills are solutions to help hardworking Californians in a manner that is quick and doesn’t require families to file an application for assistance.

Janet Nguyen, R-Garden Grove, represents the 34th state Senate District.


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