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Plenty to celebrate this May

By Toni G. Atkins

05/06/2021
in Columns, Community Voices, Feature, Featured, Features, Notes from Toni
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Toni Atkins (courtesy image)

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May is the month when we celebrate our mothers and when we honor the memories of those who gave their lives in service to our nation (Memorial Day). This May is a little different, because it also includes the income tax deadline that we normally see on April 15th. The May 17th deadline means that is when we will have a final picture of what the state’s revenues are as we work to enact a state budget by the constitutional deadline in June.

I have to tell you how excited I am about the budget we are proposing in the Senate. The Senate’s Build Back Boldly proposal provides a once-in-a-generation chance to make transformational change in California, and it builds nicely on the responsible budgeting and investing that Democratic legislators and governors have done for more than a decade now.

From helping businesses and families bounce back from the pandemic, to expanding health care, to opening new paths for early childhood education and debt-free college, to reducing homelessness increasing housing affordability, and boosting homeownership, there is a lot to like in this budget proposal. Some items that were still being negotiated weren’t able to be included in the Build Back Boldly proposal as released, such as the $5 billion in additional tax relief we just passed for businesses to allow them to deduct business expenses they paid with federal PPP funds against their state tax bill.

And we are in the process of finalizing an agreement to provide additional resources to deal with drought conditions as we head toward another hot, dry summer. You can find the Senate’s Build Back Boldly proposal here.

May is also when we celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) History Month, and how we mark the occasion this year is especially important, as we stand with AAPI communities against the alarming rise in hate crimes against members of those communities. I am pleased that after confirmation by the Senate and Assembly, AAPI History Month will start with our new Attorney General Rob Bonta on the job fighting those attacks and working to build a more just and equitable system for us all.

Besides the budget, there is a lot on the Senate’s to-do list in May. We continue to meet with housing stakeholders to advance the Senate’s housing package—my own SB 9 has been approved by both of the Senate policy committees that heard the bill. I will also continue to work with my colleague from Los Angeles, Senator Steven Bradford, on SB 2, our legislation to increase accountability for law enforcement officers who commit serious misconduct and illegally violate a person’s civil rights. The recent addition of Daunte Wright’s name to the tragic roll call of Black Americans unjustly killed by police is the latest example of why this bill is so badly needed.

As I said in a statement the day the guilty verdict was issued in the murder of George Floyd, “We, as a society – not just Black, Brown, Asian, or ethnically-diverse individuals – are beginning to confront the reality that systemic racism is the real root of the problem. We have to continue that change from within, accept the reality of what has been happening, and chart a course for change.”

So, yes, a lot to do in May, but that’s okay. I know I can rely on the energy and work ethic I inherited from a very good source—Betty Catherine Davis Atkins, who would have turned 90 on May 2nd. Thank you, Mom–and Happy Mother’s Day to all!

Next Post

The Center’s annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast is Back this May

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Pick Up Our Print Edition Near You!

December 2023, Volume 4, Issue 29

(LGBTQ SD News has decided to continue the current volume by several issues while we rebrand).

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Lopez suddenly resigns from San Diego Pride. In a Lopez suddenly resigns from San Diego Pride.

In an email to San Diego Pride staff and volunteers sent Monday night, Nov. 20, the organization’s board of directors announced that their executive director, Fernando Zweifach Lopez, Jr., had stepped down from their position, effective immediately. 

Screenshots of the email, signed by San Diego Pride co-chairs Melissa Malone-Montgomery and Noah Lomax, were shared with LGBTQ San Diego County News. 

Read the full story including reactions from community leaders by visiting the link in our bio or at https://lgbtqsd.news/lopez-suddenly-resigns-from-san-diego-pride/

@lovewarriorpink, @sandiegopride #SDPride
🎄 The trees are lit and the @festivaloftreessd 🎄 The trees are lit and the @festivaloftreessd has begun! We are proud to be a sponsor of this annual event that kicks off the holiday season in #HillcrestSanDiego and raises big money for Being Alive’s HIV/AIDS services.
In his latest Foodie Flashes, Frank Sabatini Jr. s In his latest Foodie Flashes, Frank Sabatini Jr. shares about popular new Hillcrest chicken spot, Cluck N Sip; the annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival; Whiskey House in downtown’s Marina District; some dining spots offering ways to be charitable; and a new location of Pitfire Pizza.

Read the full column at the link in our bio or at: lgbtqsd.news/foodie-flashes-november-2023
The vandal who caused $4,634 in damages to the Met The vandal who caused $4,634 in damages to the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) was ordered to pay the church back and sentenced to 270 days in jail on Oct. 12.

Read the full story at the link in our bio or at: lgbtqsd.news/sentencing-for-man-who-vandalized-mcc
Nicole Murray Ramirez shares his review of the fil Nicole Murray Ramirez shares his review of the film "RUSTIN," which chronicles the life of civil rights icon Bayard Rustin.

Read the full column at the link in our bio or at: lgbtqsd.news/conversations-with-nicole-november
A jury convicted a man of second-degree murder Oct A jury convicted a man of second-degree murder Oct. 19, in the stabbing death of a gay sailor 33 years ago at his Point Loma home in a case solved by DNA.

Read the full story at the link in our bio or at: lgbtqsd.news/convicted-after-33-years
Check out our latest news briefs section, featurin Check out our latest news briefs section, featuring information about future Hillcrest Development; a San Diego resident being featured in a Don't Ask Don't Tell documentary; and MPOX infections are on the rise again.

Read the briefs at the link in our bio or here: lgbtqsd.news/spectrum-news-briefs-november-2023

@hillcrestsandiego #HillcrestSanDiego @cityofsandiego @vibrantuptown @uptownplannerssd @hillcresttowncouncil
These are rough times all around, but @BennyC80 re These are rough times all around, but @BennyC80 reminds us to continue to look out for each other and never be afraid to ask for help!

Read Benny's full column at the link in our bio or here: lgbtqsd.news/bennys-back-managing-these-times-we-live-in

@hillcrestsandiego #hillcrestsandiego
The holidays are fast approaching and it's almost The holidays are fast approaching and it's almost time for the third annual @FestivalofTreesSD! 

Read more about how you can be a part of this festive fundraiser at the link in our bio or here: lgbtqsd.news/a-joyous-festival-of-trees
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