January 12, 2017 |
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EDUCATION Senator Anderson announces availability of Senate Fellowships EL CAJON – Senator Joel Anderson has announced the availability of applications for the 2017-2018 California Senate Fellows program. The program provides college graduates an opportunity to become full-time Senate staff members at the state Capitol in Sacramento for 11 months beginning in October 2017. Fellows are assigned to the personal or committee staff of a Senator and also participate in academic seminars with Senators, senior staff, journalists, lobbyists, and state government officials. The fellowship program is jointly operated by the California Senate and the Center for California Studies at Sacramento State University. Fellows are paid a stipend of $2,627 per month plus health, vision, and dental benefits. They earn six units of graduate credit from Sacramento State for the academic portion of the program. “Being a Fellow provides an excellent opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of the legislative process,” said Anderson. “Whether your career goals are in the public or private sector, the Senate Fellows program provides valuable training.” Former Senate Fellows include current members of Congress and the California Legislature, judges,
and numerous other elected officials and community leaders. Anderson said Fellows experience the broad range of activities conducted in busy Senate offices. Responsibilities include researching public policy issues, helping develop legislative proposals, analyzing and staffing legislation, assisting with constituent inquiries and casework, participating in meetings as the Senator’s representative, writing press releases and speeches, and performing other delegated tasks. A five-week orientation at the beginning of the program provides background on state government, the legislative process, and major policy issues. Anyone who will be at least 20 years of age and a graduate of a four-year college or university by Sept. 1, 2017, is eligible to apply. There is no preferred major. Individuals with advanced degrees and those in mid-career are encouraged to apply. Brochures can be requested online. For more information, or to apply, visit the Senate Fellows web site: www.csus.edu/calst/senate. The deadline for submitting application is Feb. 13, 2017. Eighteen Fellows will be selected in May after an initial screening of applications and a subsequent panel interview of finalists.
Sen. Joel Anderson
Miles Rogondino named to Dean’s List at Army and Navy Academy
CARLSBAD − Army and Navy Academy is pleased to announce that Miles Rogondino of Fallbrook has been named to the Dean’s List for the second grading period of the 2016-2017 school year. Students with a grade point
average of 3.80 or higher are named to the Dean’s List. This is an impressive accomplishment, especially given the unique curriculum at Army and Navy Academy which includes leadership training in addition to
the core subjects. “I am incredibly proud of the students who made the Dean’s List,” said Dr. Lisa Basista, Dean of Academics, “They have worked hard, and it shows.”
California tax season is officially open SACRAMENTO –The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) recently began accepting 2016 state tax returns for a filing season that extends through April 18, three days beyond the traditional deadline because of a federal holiday. The FTB encourages taxpayers to take advantage of the agency’s online services and take extra steps to protect themselves and their refunds. Free filing help is available for many taxpayers with limited incomes, and is often available on military bases for service members. For a list of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program locations throughout California, go to www.ftb.ca.gov and click on “free filing assistance.”
Second year of state earned income tax credit Last year, California began offering its own Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) to many people who make use of the federal EITC. The CalEITC is refundable, meaning that taxpayers will receive money if the credit is greater than taxes owed. The state credit is available to California households with adjusted gross incomes of $6,717 or less if there are no qualifying children; $10,087 or less with one qualifying child; or $14,161 or less with two or more qualifying children. Unlike the federal EITC, the CalEITC is based only on income that was reported on a W-2 form (such as wages, salaries, and tips) and was subject to California withholding. Income from selfemployment cannot be used to qualify for the CalEITC. More details about the credit are at www.CalEITC4me.org. Better FTB online services The Franchise Tax Board has enhanced the MyFTB website
the · village · beat
site at https://oag.ca.gov/idtheft for safety tips and information on data breaches.
where users can find their tax documents, check balances due, access tax calculators, send secure messages to FTB staff, and more. Since its launch, more than 450,000 taxpayers have registered with MyFTB. FTB offers free electronic filing for state tax returns through CalFile, an easy-to-use tool available to more than 6.4 million taxpayers. CalFile allows taxpayers to file directly with FTB and provides instant confirmation. Taxpayers can also find a list of other free and fee-based filing options at www.ftb.ca.gov.
Increased standard deductions and exemption credits For the 2016 tax year, the standard deduction for single or filing separately tax statuses increased to $4,129. For joint, surviving spouse, or head of household filers, the deduction grew to $8,258. The dependent exemption credit increased to $344 per dependent. The personal exemption amount for single, filing separately, and head of household filers increased to $111. For joint or surviving spouses, the exemption grew to $222. Walk-in service is still available at six regional FTB field offices weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The field offices are in Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and Santa Ana. Taxpayers may pay using MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, debit card, check, cashier’s check, or money order. A service fee of 2.5 percent is charged for credit card transactions. FTB administers two of California’s major tax programs: Personal Income Tax and the Corporation Tax. FTB also administers other non-tax programs and delinquent debt collection functions, including delinquent vehicle registration debt collections on behalf of the Department of Motor Vehicles, and court-ordered debt. Annually, FTB’s tax programs collect more than 65 percent of the state’s general fund. For more information on other taxes and fees in California, visit www.taxes. ca.gov.
Prevent identity theft and refund theft In 2015, more than 1.2 million fraudulent tax returns were filed with the IRS, each an attempt to steal a taxpayer’s federal refund. The Better Business Bureau also reported that tax-related scams in 2016 were the largest and mostoften reported scams used against businesses and consumers. To combat this growing crime, FTB has joined an IRS-led partnership of public agencies and software companies brought together to identify and stop false returns at the time of filing. Tax professionals and taxpayers should also stay alert by: • Avoiding email when discussing confidential tax matters. Instead, use secure online services such as MyFTB. • Wa t c h i n g f o r p h i s h i n g schemes. For example, be wary of any caller threatening jail for nonpayment. Report any potential scams to FTB. • Filing early if possible. The sooner FTB has your tax return, the sooner FTB staff can verify it and process a refund. • Using online resources like the California Attorney General’s
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Board of Supervisors proclamation honors Fallbrook teacher Schwenke
Joe Naiman Village News Correspondent
The proclamations session of the Dec. 13 San Diego County Board of Supervisors meeting honored Fallbrook Street School k i n d e rg a r t e n t e a c h e r A m y Schwenke for her 2016 San Diego County Teacher of the Year recognition. “It’s just awesome,” said Schwenke. “It’s very special to be recognized for all the amazing work that the San Diego County teachers do. I’m honored to represent Fallbrook and the hard work of my colleagues and my students who may be giving proclamations themselves one day.” The proclamation for Schwenke was presented by supervisor Bill Horn. “Amy is an outstanding kindergarten teacher,” said Horn. “She encourages her students to act as leaders by making choices that model good citizenship and scholarly behavior. She connects with her students academically and emotionally by creating a sense of belonging.” Schwenke attended Lucerne
Valley Elementary School, and Mrs. Stanfield was her kindergarten teacher. “I definitely remember my kindergarten year,” said Schwenke. The cleft palate Schwenke had as a child was corrected when she was in second grade. Her secondgrade teacher, Mrs. McBride, visited Schwenke in the hospital. Schwenke credits Mrs. McBride as her inspiration to become a teacher. “I just can’t think of any other job as fulfilling as teaching,” said Schwenke. “I love watching my children grow by leaps and bounds.” Her teaching objectives include providing her students with selfconfidence and self-esteem. “They know that I’m going to support them throughout their lifetime,” said Schwenke. “I’m their biggest fan.” Schwenke attended Apple Valley High School following her elementary school years. Her parents still live in the Lucerne Valley. Schwenke has taught at Fallbrook Street School for 13 years and moved from Oceanside to Bonsall in September.
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