As Minority Leader, I have been working with the Governor to coordinate the state’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic. A number of important steps are underway. 

Last week we passed bi-partisan legislation to provide $500 million in initial emergency funding expandable to $1 billion, to activate closed hospitals, increase equipment capacity for existing hospitals, provide hotel beds for the homeless, clean up child care facilities,  fund In-Home Supportive Services addressing senior isolation, backfill schools for lost Average Daily Attendance, finance expanded family leave, reimburse for the cost of COVID-19 testing, and much more. 

Other steps include a DMV request that law enforcement use discretion for 60 days regarding driver’s license and vehicle registrations that expired on or after March 16. This will protect the health of individuals over 70 who are required to visit a DMV to take written or vision tests. More Information is available at: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/newsrel/2020/2020_12

California's Economic Development Department will allow employees unable to work due to COVID-19 exposure to file Disability claims, and employees caring for ill or quarantined persons can file for Paid Family Leave. Parents staying home with children due to school closures may be eligible for unemployment (UI) benefits, and a UI claim can also be filed if work hours have been reduced.

Employers reducing hours of operation may apply for a UI work-sharing program aimed at avoiding layoffs, and business faced with closure or layoffs can contact EDD Rapid Response teams to discuss their needs.

Employers may request a 60-day extension to file payroll reports and/or deposit payroll taxes without penalties or added interest. More details are available at:  https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm

For the latest COVID-19 updates, please visit the California Department of Public Health at:  https://www.cdph.ca.gov/

Lastly, we passed ACR 189, (Rendon/Waldron) to put the legislature in recess and allow some employees to telecommute. The work of the people will continue.