Representing the 76th District

Federal Court Affirms Marriage Equality As A Constitutional Right

(San Diego) Once again, those who oppose marriage equality have had their day in court and, once again, a court has affirmed that gay and lesbian couples who wish to marry are not second class citizens, but instead are entitled to share in the freedom and justice promised by the constitution to every American.

While the opponents no doubt will continue their campaign of fear and misinformation, the light of truth and freedom shines on us today. I am confident that light will continue to shine, no matter how often they try to douse it.

As one of the 18,000 couples who were able to marry while marriage for same sex couples was legal in California in 2008, I can tell you that it does make a difference. Marriage is more than a piece of paper; it is a formal acknowledgment that one’s committed relationship is valued.  I look forward to the day when every couple who wants to marry may do so.  And I know that day will come.

January 27th has been designated the official Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Day. Families all around San Diego are working harder than ever to make ends meet in these difficult economic times. That’s why I want to make sure you know about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a refundable tax credit that is designed to help low income working families. Families making under $50,000 per year are generally eligible. You may be eligible to receive the EITC even if you do not anticipate having to pay any taxes this year.

All you have to do to claim your EITC is file your taxes! Families making below $50,000 per year can have their taxes done for free at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Site you can find one by visiting www.tax-coalition.org or by calling my office at (619) 645-3090.

Sacramento - Closing California’s 9.1 billion dollar budget gap seems like an impossible task. But the Governor laid out a tough, yet reasonable plan in his State of the State Address. California State Assemblymember Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) says she is ready to work long and hard to get a balanced, on-time budget. Assemblymember Atkins thinks the Legislature needs to move forward with the Governor in a thoughtful way to solve California’s challenges. Learn more in this Assembly Access Video.