Gov. Newsom Calls for Early Action to Waive Taxes on Forgiven Student Loan Debt, Providing Up to $1.3 Billion in Relief to 3.5 Million Borrowers
SACRAMENTO — President Joe Biden’s student debt relief will not be subject to state taxes.
Gov. Gavin Newsom Nov. 7, called for the Legislature to take early action to ensure any federal student debt relief provided to Californians would not be subject to state taxes. The proposal will be part of the Governor’s budget which will be released in January.
California has nearly 3,550,000 eligible borrowers, of which an estimated 2,340,600 are Pell Grant borrowers. Estimates have shown that waiving state taxes on forgiven student loan debt will provide Californians up to $1.3 billion in relief. Individually, borrowers will save on average hundreds of dollars in state taxes, and could even save as much as $1,860.
Under President Biden’s proposal, the federal government will forgive up to $10,000 in student loans for individuals making less than $125,000 per year and up to $20,000 for those who received a Pell Grant, meant for students with the largest financial need. And, President Biden’s American Rescue Plan exempts the forgiveness of student loan debt from 2021 to 2025 federal income taxes
Gov. Newsom’s Housing Accountability Unit Marks First Year
SACRAMENTO — One year ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom launched the Housing Accountability Unit at the California Department of Housing and Community Development or HCD with the goal of increasing stringent enforcement and oversight at the local level to create more housing, faster in California. Since 2020, HCD has helped to clear the way for nearly 3,500 new homes, with about half of those as a result of the Housing Accountability Unit’s work in the last year.
Under Gov. Newsom, for the first time in state history, local governments are being held accountable to meet their housing targets, with a statewide goal of reaching 2.5 million new units by 2030 – 1 million of which must be affordable. To help reach this goal, the Housing Accountability Unit has worked with local jurisdictions to provide technical assistance and review of policies that often hinders the building of housing throughout the state. In their first year, the unit opened the door to nearly 1,700 new homes, with over 600 being affordable housing.
Among other key accomplishments over the past year, the Housing Accountability Unit launched a first-of-its-kind policy and practice review into San Francisco’s legal, planning, and political barriers to housing production at all income levels. The unit also formally absorbed enforcement of the Surplus Land Act, unlocking hundreds of affordable housing units through its review of state surplus land.
As the state continues to tackle the housing crisis, local accountability and enforcement measures will continue to be effective tools to ensure that every city and county meets its fair share of housing.
Details: Accountability and Enforcement | California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Governor Newsom Announces Judicial Appointments
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced his nomination of Daniel Bromberg to serve as an Associate Justice of the Sixth District Court of Appeal. The Governor also announced his appointment of Christine Rodriguez Tyler, 46, of Los Angeles County. Rodriguez Tyler has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Rodriguez Tyler has served as a Deputy Public Defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office since 2004. Rodriguez Tyler earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Pepperdine University School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Paul T. Suzuki. Rodriguez Tyler is a Democrat.