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September 30, 2021
RESOLUTION OF RECONCILIATION FOR THE CHINESE-AMERICAN COMMUNITY
My colleagues and I passed a resolution recognizing and apologizing for the historical injustice perpetrated on the Chinese community by the City of San José. This reconciliation is long overdue and I'm glad that we have finally taken steps toward accepting the city's role in discrimination. By examining those actions and learning from them, we can ensure that such practices and attitudes stay where they belong; in our past.
San José also has a rich history of Chinatowns — there have been five over the years. So why doesn't San José have a Chinatown today? Click here to read more about why they vanished.
We cannot heal without first acknowledging and accepting our role as a city in creating and perpetuating discrimination. We cannot shy away from our history. We must confront it together and remove any traces of it. I’m proud of our city’s diversity and value the strong partnership with our Chinese-American community. I hope that this important action will allow those in the Chinese-American community to forgive this painful part of our history.


Sincerely,
IN THIS EDITION

  • NEW INITIATIVE TO HELP LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS PAY FOR INTERNET SERVICES
  • NEED HELP PAYING YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL?
  • CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT
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WATERPALOOZA! 2021
Sustainable Silicon Valley would like to invite you to WaterPalooza!: our annual two-day deep dive into a variety of timely water issues. Click here for the Agenda. 
Join us from the comfort of your computer/tablet screen for two afternoons of stellar water stories, experiences, insights and visions from the Bay Area & points beyond from 1:00-5:00pm Thursday, September 30th and Friday, October 1st. You may only make a few sessions, but registering keeps you updated when we publish the ones you missed on YouTube.
 
Water is scarce these days and our climate future looks grim, but we have a fighting chance drawing upon and implementing the smart ideas of our extended aqua-oriented community. 
EVICTION MORATORIUM ENDS SEPTEMBER 30
-HELP STILL AVAILABLE -
California’s statewide eviction moratorium ends on Sept. 30, 2021. If you are at risk of eviction, apply for emergency rental assistance now - do not wait. Submitting an emergency rental assistance application is the best way to protect yourself from eviction after Sept. 30. To apply for rental assistance, please visit HousingIsKey.com or call 833-430-2122. If you would like help applying for rent relief, visit one of the City’s Eviction Help Center’s on the 12th floor of City Hall or at the Franklin McKinley School District office. You can call Eviction Help Center staff at 408-975-4444.
NEED HELP PAYING YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL?
The past year has been difficult, and while for some it feels like life may be getting back to normal, we know many are still struggling to keep up with utility bills. San José Clean Energy has compiled a list of resources that can help you lower your monthly energy bill and catch up on past due bills. Visit SanJoseCleanEnergy.org/Discount-Programs or read below for more information.
Since the start of the pandemic, electricity customers have been protected from having their power turned off due to nonpayment. These protections are scheduled to end on September 30, 2021. 
  • Any residential customer with a balance that is more than 60 days past due will be automatically enrolled in a 24-month payment plan covering both PG&E and SJCE charges. Monthly payments will be their outstanding balance divided by 24, on top of their current charges. 
  • Small businesses will also be automatically enrolled in payment plans with payoff terms long enough that debt payments are no more than 10% over their average energy bill (or 5% for customers in disadvantaged communities).
  • If you are enrolled in the CARE or FERA monthly discount programs and owe more than $500 on your energy bill, then you may qualify for the state’s new Arrearage Management Program (AMP) for debt forgiveness up to $8,000. AMP is a payment plan where a portion of your debt is forgiven each time you pay your current monthly charges.
  • If you are struggling to pay rent and cannot pay your energy bill, you should apply for assistance through the California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program. The program can pay up to 100% of rent and utility bills for qualified residents.
CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT
President Biden’s American Rescue Plan increased the amount of the 2021 Child Tax Credit to support families with children. The full benefit of the Child Tax Credit is now $300 per month per child under age 6 and $250 for each child age 6 to 17.  

Most families, even those with little to no income, can receive the full amount. Single parents making less than $112,500 or a married couple making less than $150,000 with children under age 18 living with them for at least half of the year are likely eligible for the full benefit. These benefits do not affect eligibility for other federal benefits like SNAP.  
Those who filed 2020 or 2019 taxes or used the IRS “Non-Filer Portal” to get a stimulus check last year, will automatically be sent a monthly payment from the IRS starting on July 15, 2021.  

Those who didn’t file taxes in the last 2 years just need to fill out a simple form to begin receiving monthly payments. The form and more information is available at childtaxcredit.gov. Applicants will need to provide:  
  • A reliable mailing address  
  • An e-mail address   
  • A Social Security Number (or ITIN)   
  • Their children’s Social Security Numbers   
  • Bank account information (for payment by direct deposit)  
For day to day updates, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. As always, please feel free to contact my office with your questions, comments or concerns by email at District4@sanjoseca.gov and visit our website at sanjoseca.gov/district4.