California State Treasurer Fiona Ma addresses the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. | Screenshot.
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Fiona Ma was in the house!
The first woman of color to be elected California state treasurer was in the Humboldt County Supervisors chamber this morning, and after a technology-related delay to the scheduled 8:30 start time she presented information about a variety of state money matters and their relevance to our region.
As state treasurer, Ma oversees annual revenues of $3.2 trillion while managing a short-term fiscal portfolio of about $200 million. Big dollars.
Off the bat, Ma highlighted a new state initiative called the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS). She explained that registered infants born in California after July 1, 2022, will get $100 deposited into a savings account.
“And that money is intended to grow until they’re 18, ready to go to higher ed or a certified apprenticeship program,” she explained. “In addition, for every first- through 12th-grader on free and reduced lunch, they are eligible to get $500 in their own name. If they are homeless, they’ll get another $500, and if they are a foster youth, they’ll get another $500. So this is potentially $1,500 for any first- to 12th-grader.”
Ma said she has been making the rounds across the state to inform parents, guardians, local leaders and educators about the program.
In other government finance news, Ma said the feds recently kicked down $1 billion to help California expand its loan loss guarantee and loan loss reserve programs, which should free up extra lender money by financing state-backed loan guarantees.
Ma noted that Humboldt County could probably use the help.
“Last time I was here it was 2015 and I was in Garberville and I was here in Eureka and it was thriving with so many small craft independent legacy farmers,” she said. At the time she’d just been elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors State Board of Equalization and was trying to understand the cannabis industry.
“And back then you couldn’t find available property,” she said. “People were busier than ever before.” Now, the industry has been hit with an array of difficulties, from permitting headaches to PG&E supply issues to economic woes.
“Back in 2015 you had 3,500 farms, and today it’s 1,100 farms that are all just struggling to make ends meet,” she said. (This is not an apples-to-apples comparison since the former figure was prior to the passage of Prop. 64, legalizing recreational weed, while the latter reflects permitted cultivators.)
Ma noted that she worked on a bill two years ago that would decrease the state distribution tax, waive the cultivation tax and make retailers responsible for collecting sales taxes, moves that she admitted are maybe too little, too late.
“I think we need to do more, especially for your constituents here … ,” she said. “It’s very hard for many of your small farmers to compete with some of the larger ones around the state, and so I’m hoping that we will be able to get some equity for your communities so that they can continue to rebuild.”
Turning to affordable housing, Ma said that as chair of the Tax Credit Allocation Committee she has directed bonds and tax credits toward building affordable housing for people in the very-low- and extremely-low-income brackets, but with interest rates climbing the committee is shifting its focus from construction of new housing to building rehabilitation.
She also mentioned that the state is bringing back industrial development bonds for small manufacturers and that a new state bill could allocate more money for student housing at California State University campuses such as Cal Poly Humboldt.
“So I guess my message here is as a treasurer now, I’m giving away money,” Ma said, eliciting some laughter from the chamber. She said she plans to meet with some key agency leaders locally to learn what our region’s priority projects are.
However, she also noted that the state projects a budget deficit this year, and she warned that things will probably continue to be “a little bumpy” for the next year or two.
“But in the meantime,” she said, “I know you’re all very entrepreneurial-spirited. You’re trying to pivot the best you can. And I want to be there, to be your advocate and your partner as you are seeking to rebuild and regrow here in Humboldt County.”
First District Supervisor Rex Bohn thanked Ma and encouraged her to help small counties like Humboldt to seek and secure some of the available grant funds and tax credits.
Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo asked Ma to share details about a CalKIDS informational town hall meeting scheduled for this evening at the Humboldt County Office of Education. Ma kindly obliged. The event, which you can read more about here, will run from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Sequoia Conference Center in Eureka.
She reiterated that the state is trying to get parents and guardians to register for the free money.
“This is a not a scam,” Ma said. “This is actually a program supported by the legislature and the governor to give money to these young people in hopes that they, you know, will seek higher education or other opportunities [and] have the necessary funding to do so when they’re ready.”
Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson brought up the offshore wind developments being pursued off our coastline, noting that such a major shift in the country’s electricity-generation infrastructure typically come with large state and federal investments, whereas Humboldt County has been put in the position of seeking that out for itself.
“I can definitely be a bridge to that,” Ma said, adding that energy diversity is a must for the state’s future.
Board Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone advocated for financial assistance for foster youth as well as trade programs for young people who aren’t necessarily college-bound. He also thanked Ma for coming to the special meeting.
Now, a Cal Poly Humboldt student research team is surveying locals about their thoughts about citizen oversight, and particularly about the possibility of a local Citizen Law Enforcement Review Board. They write:
Civilian oversight structures are used in nearby counties and nationwide, and serve as a way for communities to independently check police conduct. A Citizen Law Enforcement Review Board (or CLERB) could help to increase public confidence in local government and the accountability of law enforcement by conducting impartial and independent investigations of citizen complaints of misconduct concerning Sheriff’s Deputies, Police Officers, and Probation Officers employed by the County of Humboldt.
What do you think? Would you want to see something like that in Humboldt, or nah? The research team would love to hear from you. Check out their survey at this link.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Retired Sheriff Gary Philp. Sheriff Philp passed away yesterday, Feb. 6, surrounded by family.
Philp had a long and distinguished career with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, serving 38 years in law enforcement. Sheriff Philp held virtually every leadership position within the department during his career and served as the Elected Sheriff from 2002-2010.
Sheriff’s deputies will be wearing mourning bands this week to honor Sheriff Philp’s life and contribution to our community.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On Feb. 6, 2023, at about 7:23 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Clam Beach to conduct a search and rescue for a lost woman.
According to the reporting party, the 71-year-old missing woman was reportedly hiking on the beach with a small group of people when she decided to stay behind and rest while the group continued. The group reported the woman missing when she failed to return to the vehicle.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Special Services Division and officers with the Bureau of Land Management conducted a search of the area. Deputies located the woman unharmed in the dunes at approximately 8:38 p.m. The woman told deputies that she had gotten lost in the dunes while attempting to return to the vehicle. Due to nightfall, she decided to stay put and wait for help.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Coast Guard - Sector Humboldt Bay and the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team for their coordination and assistance with this response.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office urges the community to take extra precautions when hiking or recreating outdoors. Follow these tips to stay safe:
Always hike with a group, or at least one other person, and stay together.
Check the weather forecast before heading out to hike or camp and plan your trip accordingly.
Know your skill level and physical capabilities- choose trails within your or your group’s ability.
If doing a day hike, know what time the sun begins to set. Research the trail ahead of time and anticipate how long it will take to hike. Begin hiking early so that you will have plenty of daylight to get back.
Inform someone of your travel plans- let them know where you are going, your planned route, when you plan to return and emergency numbers to call if you do not return at the scheduled time.
Bring a charged cell phone with you in case of emergencies, but do not rely on cell service in all areas. For remote hikes where cell service is not available, consider bringing a Personal Locator Beacon or GPS phone.
Bring a flashlight, warm clothes, high energy snacks and water in case your hike goes longer than expected.
If you get lost, stop where you are and assess the situation. Try to determine your location. If you are sure you can get yourself out using a map and compass, do so- otherwise stay put.
If you or a member of your hiking/recreating party becomes lost, call law enforcement for help right away (as service allows). There is no required wait time to report a missing person.
If you are interested in assisting with future search and rescue operations, consider joining the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team. Learn more and apply at: humboldtsar.org
On Monday February 6, 2023 HCDTF served a search warrant at two locations which yielded a large amount of fentanyl. HCDTF agents obtained information that Joshua Scott VanDyke, 47 year old from Eureka, was selling large amounts of fentanyl from Loleta and Eureka. Agents obtained a search warrant for a trailer located near the intersection of Church Street and Montgomery Street in Loleta and a residence on the 4000 Block of Meyers Ave in Eureka.
During the service of the search warrant at the Loleta residence, Joshua VanDyke and 44 year old Anne Walton were detained on scene. During a search of the property, agents located approximately one pound of suspected fentanyl, two pistols, digital scale, and approximately 14 grams of methamphetamine. VanDyke was subsequently taken into custody on the following charges:
H&S 11351(a)- Possession of controlled substances for sale
H&S 11370.1- Possession of controlled substances while armed
PC 29800(a)(1)- Felon in possession of a firearm
During a search of the Meyers Ave residence, agents located suspected methamphetamine, numerous unidentified pills, digital scale, and packaging materials. Two subjects were located on scene and subsequently released.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.
UPDATE: The Sheriff’s Office told the Times-Standard it believes the incident to be a murder-suicide situation.
More in the press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office below:
On Feb. 6, 2023, at about 1:05 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 1600 block of Kristin Way in McKinleyville for a welfare check.
Deputies responded and made entry into the residence. Upon making entry, deputies located two deceased individuals, a 63-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman. The Sheriff’s Major Crimes Division responded and assumed responsibility of the investigation.
Based upon evidence collected on scene, at this point in the investigation it appears that this was a domestic violence incident between the two residents which resulted in their deaths. Investigators do not believe there are any outstanding involved persons at this time and there is no perceived elevated risk to the community.
The identities of the decedents are known but being withheld pending next-of-kin notifications. Autopsies for both decedents have been scheduled for this week. Cause of death information will be available following the autopsies.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, harassment or harm from your partner, or think that you might be, help is available. To speak with someone immediately and find resources for help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text “START” to “88788”. For local assistance, contact the Humboldt Domestic Violence Services 24-hour support line at (707) 443-6042, toll free at (866) 668-6543, or visit hdvs.org.
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
A real estate sign in front of a home in the Tower District in central Fresno on June 28, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local
Angela Morrow was only eight months into a new career as a flight attendant when she was laid off from her job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, putting her at risk of losing her three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in San Bernardino County.
Morrow, 63, said she was able to save her home in Bloomington through the $1 billion California Mortgage Relief Program, which enabled her to pay off more than $54,000 worth of mortgage debt — relief that lowered her monthly payments for the long-term.
“Receiving that grant has been a monumental blessing for me,” Morrow said. “It created a solid foundation for my kids, and their future, after I’m gone.”
Today, state officials will announce they are expanding who is eligible for the program, including some who took second mortgages.
With $300 million already given out to 10,000 homeowners, as much as $700 million worth of aid remains available for borrowers who qualify for the program, which was created in December 2021 using federal dollars from the American Rescue Act.
The expansion comes as state officials say the pandemic era housing market — characterized by an uncertain economy, high home prices and now higher mortgage interest rates — could still imperil homeownership in the Golden State, particularly for lower- and middle- income families.
Fewer than 56% of Californians live in homes they or their families own, the second lowest rate of any state and just slightly higher than New York.
“People shouldn’t be penalized, and lose something that they’ve worked so hard to obtain, and lose that opportunity for generational wealth, due to circumstances outside of their control,” said Rebecca Franklin, president of the California Housing Finance Agency’s Homeowner Relief Corp., which is administering the mortgage relief program. “That’s what this program is about: To catch people up, to erase that long-term financial impact that the pandemic maybe had on them.”
California foreclosures remain at one of their lowest rates over the last two decades, with only 0.12% of homes in foreclosure as of last November, the most recent monthly data available, according to housing data firm CoreLogic. That compares to a high of 3.21% of homes in November 2010, during the last housing bust. Nevertheless, California families did face financial hardship during the pandemic, the CoreLogic data shows, with 3.72% of all homes in serious delinquency in August 2022, a recent high.
The difference in the pandemic economic downturn, state officials and experts said, is that mortgage companies and banks were willing to work with borrowers to defer payments and create additional home loans. High home prices can also help prevent foreclosure as homeowners can often sell their properties. But with high rents, selling is often not a good option for families, said Lisa Sitkin, a senior staff attorney with the National Housing Law Project, a nonprofit that advocates for tenants and low-income households.
Under the expansion of California’s mortgage relief program being unveiled today at a Sacramento nonprofit:
Eligible homeowners who have already used the program and are in need of additional assistance can reapply, for as much as $80,000 in total grants.
Homeowners can use the program to pay off second home loans, or loan deferrals, that they negotiated in the midst of the pandemic.
The program will also be available to homeowners who have properties of up to four units, as long as those small landlords live on those properties.
While the program was previously only available for people who had missed at least two mortgage payments and at least one property tax payment before last summer, it will now be available to those homeowners until March 1.
“People shouldn’t be penalized, and lose something that they’ve worked so hard to obtain, and lose that opportunity for generational wealth, due to circumstances outside of their control.” — Rebecca Franklin, president of the California Housing Finance Agency’s Homeowner Relief Corp.
The program includes income and wealth restrictions. People can only receive assistance if their combined household income is not more than 150% of their region’s median income. Households that have cash or other assets worth $20,000 more than the total funds they are requesting are disqualified. (For more information, there’s a help page.)
The relief program is administered nationally by the U.S. Treasury Department, which relies heavily on individual states to distribute the money. As far as California’s track record getting its funds to borrowers, the state has been “nimble,” and “responsive,” said Sitkin, of the National Housing Law Project, which is monitoring all of the states’ programs.
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