AB 71, the “Bring California Home Initiative,” Moves on to the Assembly Floor
- Ruy Laredo
- Communications Director
- 916-319-2043
- Ruy.Laredo@asm.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO, CA – The Assembly Committee on Appropriations approved Assemblywoman Luz Rivas’ legislation, AB 71, which transforms California’s approach to combat homelessness in the state. The “Bring California Home Initiative” establishes a first-ever permanent source of funding for long-term solutions to homelessness in the state.
“The Assembly Appropriations Committee has delivered a clear message: California needs to create a permanent source of funding now to address homelessness,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-Arleta). “This issue is far too important to be left to the whims of a fluctuating state budget. We were lucky to have a surplus this time around, but one bad fiscal year can easily prevent any future investments into combatting
homelessness if we fail to create an ongoing funding mechanism. Several states already have long-term funding for solutions to homelessness and it is past time for California to meet the severity of this escalating crisis.”
AB 71 is a tax conformity bill designed to align our state tax policies to those of the federal government and will generate up to $1 billion annually. The legislation accomplishes this by closing corporate tax loopholes that allow large, international corporations to shift their money overseas. At a time when these multimillion-dollar corporations are raking in record profits while paying little to no taxes, more Americans continue to fall into homelessness. Stringent accountability and auditing mechanisms included in the proposed law ensure that local governments and other entities spend the allocated funds specifically for homelessness programs.
The Bring California Home Initiative transforms how our state and local governments respond to homelessness and fosters greater collaboration among state and local agencies. AB 71 provides resources for government entities and community-based partnerships to invest in strategies proven to keep Californians in their homes and help people exit homelessness faster.
Over 400 organizations and community leaders from throughout the state have endorsed AB 71.To find out more about the Bring California Home Coalition and to get involved, visit www.bringcahome.org.
Assemblywoman Luz Rivas proudly represents the 39th Assembly District, which includes the City of Los Angeles communities of Arleta, Lake View Terrace, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Sun Valley, Sunland-Tujunga, Sylmar, and the City of San Fernando.