Schools

This June, plan your summer travel with the REAL ID

Nation’s debt limit bill more a financial reprieve than resolution: ...continued candidly. “It could have been absolutely devastating and I think the nation has dodged a bullet.”

For millions of Americans, however, a ‘financial bullet’ will hit home soon – especially for Black Americans, other people of color, and the poor.

“The deal avoids the calamity of default, but weakens environmental protection, IRS capacity needed to collect revenue, and adds burdensome requirements for Americans seeking public assistance,” stated Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. “The debt ceiling should never be used to pass legislation that would fail to stand on its own merit.”

Volunteers needed for recycling classes and events

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, this change will harm its already financially-challenged population:

“Beginning October 1, 2023, almost immediately after the first change would take effect, the work-reporting requirement would expand further to also apply to 51- and 52-year-olds; it would then expand to apply to 53- and 54-year-olds beginning October 1, 2024. Once fully phased in, this requirement would remain in place until October 1, 2030.”

Carrie Stanton

The REAL ID Delivers Conveniency: Apply for Yours Today

The REAL ID is here, and it’s easier to get than you think. What is the REAL ID and why do you need one?

The REAL ID is an identification card or driver’s license that is also considered a federally accepted form of identification.

Beginning May 7, 2025, federal laws will require air travelers aged 18 years and older to have a REAL ID, valid passport, or another federally approved form of identification to fly within the United States and enter secure facilities such as military bases.

If you haven’t applied for the REAL ID yet now is the perfect time! You can do it online with the necessary documents to complete the application – one proof of identity such as a valid passport, original or certified copy of birth certificate or valid permanent resident card; AND two documents to prove California residency such as a utility bill or bank statement. You can check DMV’s REAL ID checklist to see if your documents qualify as a REAL ID document.

Once you complete the online application and upload the needed documents, you will receive a confirmation code and be asked to make an appointment online to visit your local DMV office.

Many people have completed the in-office visit in about 15 minutes with an appointment.

Over 15.8 million people in California have their REAL ID as of May 2023. Though the REAL ID isn’t required and is optional, regular California driver’s licenses and identification cards will have limits federally.

When traveling, you want to get through the airport as quickly and as simply as possible. Starting May 7, 2025, if you don’t have a REAL ID you will need to bring a passport to travel domestically.

This may cause some headaches for those who don’t have a REAL ID and aren’t used to traveling domestically with a passport. But when you have the REAL ID, it eliminates having to remember to bring your passport to fly within the United States.

Start your REAL ID application now to avoid the rush when you need it later.

Visit dmv.ca.gov/realid and get started today!

Nation’s debt limit bill more a financial reprieve than resolution:

Concerns emerge on new food stamp work requirements, student loan payments

By Charlene Crowell

For example, 45 million people now carrying $1.7 trillion in student loans will resume monthly payments, including interest charges, beginning in late August. That monthly payment translates into an average of $393, according to the College Investor’s analysis of updated research by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This report also states that 45 percent of borrowers still grapple with growing debt balances.

“There’s some concern now that, as those loan repayments restart at the end of August, you’re going to see higher delinquency rates on credit cards and other types of loans. That is one of the big concerns I think economists are paying close attention to,” Michael Jones, an economics professor at the University of Cincinnati, said in a recent interview with New York Magazine.

Additionally, the enacted bill imposes new work requirements for older Americans ages 5054 receiving food stamps, technically known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.

Until now, work requirements for food stamp recipients affected those aged 49 or younger.

“We estimate that almost 750,000 older adults aged 5054 would be newly subject to SNAP’s work-reporting requirement and at risk of losing benefits under this bill, ” continued the Center. “Nearly half (48 percent) of those who would be newly at risk of losing SNAP are women.”

Long-time older American advocates like the National Council on Aging (NCOA)made plain their opposition to this new food stamp requirement.

“NCOA appreciates that the agreement protects Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid, which serve as the bedrock of retirement and health security for tens of millions of Americans, said Ramsey Alwin, its President and CEO. “However, the agreement fails to include revenue to reduce the deficit by requiring wealthy Americans and large corporations to pay their fair share. We live in the same society, and we all need to contribute to it.”

Alwin makes an important point. Unfortunately, public policy trends still tend to shortchange the millions of people who do most of the living, working, and dying in this country. This lack of equity –specifically racial equity – ought to be addressed at every level of government.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN?

If you have questions about your pension, 401(k) or profit sharing plan, call the Western States Pension Assistance Project at (866) 413-4911 to get free legal advice. Funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, WSPAP staff provides free legal assistance to anyone with a question about their retirement plan. CALL US TODAY 1.866.413.4911

This Independence Day, Remember If You Light It, We’ll Write It

Last-ditch negotiations to spare the nation a first-ever debt collapse resulted in Congress passing a legislative remedy that attracted bipartisan support. But exactly what the bill known as the Fiscal Responsibility Act actually accomplished and its effects on America’s people is still largely unknown.

Instead of a final resolution on America’s borrowing ability, the enacted bill provides a twoyear window for the Treasury Department to borrow – as needed – funds to pay the nation’s already more than $31 trillion of debt. When January 2025 arrives, a new session of Congress will face the deferred problem. Until then, according to the Congressional Budget Office, cutbacks on discretionary spending would result in a drop in projected budget deficits of about $4.8 trillion over the next decade, and a savings of $0.5 trillion in interest.

On June 2, President Joe Biden briefed the nation in a televised appearance.

“No one got everything they wanted, but the American people got what they needed,” said the President. “We averted an economic crisis, an economic collapse. We’re cutting spending and bringing the deficits down at the same time… [O]ver the next ten years, the deficit will be cut by more than $1 trillion. And that will be on top of the record $1.7 trillion -- $1.7 trillion I already cut the deficit in my first two years of office”

“We’re on a much more fiscally responsible course than the one I inherited when I took office,” Biden added. “When I came to office, the deficit had increased every year the previous four years. And nearly $8 trillion was added to the national debt during the previous administration.”

Connecticut U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal characterized the new law more

Riverside, CA- With the goal of preventing wildfires and injuries resulting from Fourth of July celebrations, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors is continuing the “If You Light it, We’ll Write it” illegal fireworks enforcement activity and education campaign.

“It’s critical that everyone understands that illegal fireworks are just that - illegal,” said Board Chair Kevin Jeffries, First District Supervisor. “These fireworks have serious costs to homes, hillsides and pets. Now there are also serious costs to the individuals transporting or setting them off.”

Enforcement activity targets the sale, transportation, and use of illegal fireworks – with fines ranging up to $5,000. In recent years, the increasing number of displays of dangerously illegal fireworks and explosives prompted calls countywide to stop this dangerous activity.

The public education portion of the campaign launches today and runs through the Fourth of July holiday, will focus on delivering critical messages to the public through multiple mediums, including road signs,

Are you interested in helping the environment? Do you like to compost or recycle? Become an outreach volunteer with the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources and help the earth by helping others become better recyclers and composters. Outreach volunteers assist with classes or events by interacting with the public, answering questions on outreach programs and distributing materials. The ideal volunteer enjoys meeting people, likes to learn new things and is passionate about the environment. The total volunteer commitment is attendance at the orientation and training meeting and ten hours of volunteer time donated each year while participating in the program. Opportunities to volunteer at classes and events exist across the entire county. Plus, the volunteers select the events, dates and times that work best for them. Bilingual volunteers are needed.

Outreach volunteers can also choose to attend extra training and volunteer more hours to become certified as a master composter. Once a volunteer reaches master composter status, the volunteer is allowed to teach classes on their own or work with schools and community gardens as a composting mentor. Outreach volunteers are integral to the success of recycling and composting programs and are recognized by the County annually for their dedication and hours worked. Orientation and training is scheduled for Friday, June 16, from 8 A.M. to 12 P.M. at the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources, 14310 Frederick Street, in Moreno Valley.

For more information or to register, potential outreach volunteers can visit http://www. rcwaste.org/volunteer or call 951-486-3200.

Juneteenth 2023: California Celebrates Black Freedom...continued from page 1

Los Angeles

LEIMERT PARK JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL (JUNE 19)

4395 Leimert Blvd., Los Angeles 90008

Monday, June 19 - Noon to 9 p.m.

The Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival will feature 300-plus Black-owned businesses, three main stages, two DJs stages, a spoken word stage and more.

You can find a complete list of Juneteenth events in the Los Angeles area here.

East Bay

JUNETEENTH-INBERKELEY

Alcatraz-Adeline Corridor social media graphics, and public service announcements.

Key county departments in this effort, include the Sheriff’s Department, County Fire Department, Code Enforcement, Department of Animal Services, Veterans Services, and Riverside University Health System.

“Illegal fireworks are dangerous and cause serious injuries - sometimes fatal injuries,” said Riverside County Fire Chief Bill Weiser. “The fires ignited by the ember and remains of these fireworks damage property and cause devastating wildland fires. Across the county, great efforts are made to provide safe and enjoyable public fireworks shows. Please visit www.rvcfire.org to find a safe, professional and public fireworks show near you.”

By local ordinance, Californiaapproved “safe and sane” fireworks are only permitted within the city limits of Indio, Coachella, Blythe, and Desert Hot Springs.

Residents can report illegal fireworks on Riverside County Sheriff’s app, website or by calling their non-emergency tollfree number at (800) 950-2444.

Sunday, June 18 - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Juneteenth-in-Berkeley, held annually in June on Father’s Day, is produced by Berkeley Juneteenth Association, Inc., a non-profit, serving the community since 1986. They rebranded as Berkeley Juneteenth Cultural Celebrations to pursue and sponsor more cultural events throughout the year. You can find more Bay area Juneteenth events here.

Sacramento

SACRAMENTO

JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL 2022

William Land Park

Friday, June 16 – 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, June 17 – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sacramento's 20th Annual Juneteenth Festival will kick off on Friday Night with a “Gospel Under the Stars Concert” featuring two stages of live entertainment. On Saturday, there will be a parade, talent show, Black history exhibits, food vendors and more. You can find more Sacramento Juneteenth events here.

San Diego

Black Biz Flea Market: Juneteenth Celebration

WorldBeat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Boulevard, San Diego, United States

Sunday, June 18 – 12 noon to 5 p.m.

The Black Biz Flea Market Juneteenth Celebration! will feature 30-plus Black-owned businesses, great eats, music, shopping, giveaways and more. You can find more San Diego Juneteenth events here.

Inland Empire 2023 JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM Civic Center Amphitheater, 14075 Frederick Street, Moreno Valley

Saturday, June 17 - 1 to 5 p.m.

The community is invited to celebrate an afternoon full of entertainment, children’s activities, food booths, retail vendors (jewelry, clothing, and art) and local artists.

Contra Costa 2023 LET FREEDOM RING East Contra Costa County JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

Contra Costa Event Park 1201 W. 10th Street, Antioch

Saturday and Sunday, June 1719 12 Noon to 5 p.m.

This event will feature carnival rides, food, craft & arts, a job fair, community resources and live entertainment.