Dear Friends‚
Happy December! First and foremost‚ thank you to the voters of Senate District 40 for re-electing me as your State Senator. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to continue representing our community in Sacramento.
During this holiday season‚ Team Jones has been busy recognizing outstanding community members and volunteering around the District. I encourage everyone to spend some time volunteering and helping those that are less fortunate.
My District office is hiring volunteer interns! If you or someone you know may be interested‚ please apply as soon as possible‚ space is limited. More information on the program and application are in the newsletter below.
I’ve been busy not only in the District‚ but also in Sacramento. On December 5th‚ I was sworn into office to represent Senate District 40. Immediately upon being sworn into office‚ I introduced 3 bills to compassionately clear homeless encampments and reduce gas prices by $1 per gallon. Additionally‚ I am excited to share that I have been elected Senate Minority Leader for the California State Senate Republican Caucus. Our Caucus has rolled up our sleeves and we’re ready to collaborate with our colleagues across the aisle to fix California.
Read the full newsletter below for more details on District events and Capitol updates. Wishing you and your family a Happy Holiday! It is an honor to serve you‚
Brian W. Jones
Swearing-In Ceremony
Senator Jones being sworn into office on December 5th‚ 2022.
I am humbled and grateful for reelection to the California State Senate. I am honored for the opportunity to continue serving the over 1 million residents of the Northern City of San Diego, and East and North San Diego County.
We are just getting started in our fight to fix California and return luster to our Golden State. The voters rightly expect California’s leaders to set aside political differences and tackle the many challenges we face.
Californians are best served by hard-working elected officials that put bipartisanship and the betterment of the community first – this philosophy is something I have always tried to adhere to in past and will continue to do so in the future.
Around the Community
Jones Family Decorates Christmas Tree for Veterans
It’s a Jones family tradition to decorate a Christmas tree for our veterans. Thank you to the Warrior Foundation for all you do to support those who served our country. We hope this tree will help spread holiday joy to our veteran heroes.
Senator Jones and his wife Heather‚ their children Melina and Chris‚ and their extended family decorating a Christmas Tree at the Warrior Foundation.
Senator Brian Jones Honors Healthcare Community Champions
I was thrilled to recognize and honor Community Champions in the healthcare industry for their outstanding work. Thank you for your dedication to serving those in need and helping so many in our community.
Senator Brian Jones Recognizes Miss Santee Pageant Winners
I was pleased to present the winners of the Miss Santee Pageant with a Senate Certificate in recognition of their commitment to the betterment of our community and service to our fellow citizens. Congratulations to this year’s winners: Miss Santee Heather Cantin‚ Miss Teen Santee Julianna Abrajan‚ and Junior Miss Santee Ezrah Collier!
Senator Jones with Miss Santee Heather Cantin‚ Miss Teen Santee Julianna Abrajan‚ and Junior Miss Santee Ezrah Collier.
Volunteer Around the Community During the Season of Giving!
This holiday season‚ please consider participating in the Season of Giving. Each of us can impact our community and there’s no better way to bring positive change than to give back. Here are some ways you can make a difference:
Donate or volunteer at a food bank
Food banks have faced unprecedented demand and need volunteers to continue to provide essential services in the community. This #SeasonOfGiving consider signing up for a shift at your local food bank or find ways to donate: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/ais/
COVID-19-Community-Resources/Non-Profit-Food-Assistance.html
Donate Blood
Blood donation is essential to ensuring the health of our communities. Please consider donating during the #SeasonOfGiving.
Find a San Diego blood donation location:
San Diego Blood Bank American Red Cross
We’re Hiring
Do you want to make a difference in our community while growing professionally and building a network? Apply for an internship with my office! Interns work directly with experienced staff and are eligible for a letter of recommendation. Space is limited. For questions and to apply‚ please visit www.tinyurl.com/jonesinternship or call our office at 619-596-3136.
Constituent Services
California Offers Property Tax Deferment for Some Homeowners
With the rising cost of living in the Golden State‚ and the lasting impacts of the pandemic‚ everyone knows someone who is struggling to make ends meet. The challenge can be greatest for retirees on a fixed income and people with a disability that prevents them from working. California offers property tax deferment for some of these vulnerable homeowners.
State Controller Betty T. Yee administers the Property Tax Postponement (PTP) Program to allow homeowners who are seniors – or who are blind or have a disability – to defer payment of residential property taxes. Applicants must meet income‚ equity‚ and other requirements. These deferred taxes accrue simple interest at a rate of 5 percent a year and become due if the homeowner moves or sells the property‚ transfers title‚ refinances‚ dies‚ obtains a reverse mortgage‚ or defaults on a senior lien. A lien will be placed on the property. For manufactured homes‚ a security agreement will be filed with the Department of Housing and Community Development. A lien or security agreement remains in effect until the account is paid in full.
PTP participants must reapply each year to demonstrate they continue to meet eligibility requirements. The application filing period for the 2022-23 tax year runs October 1‚ 2022, through February 10‚ 2023. Funds are limited‚ and applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Last year alone‚ California homeowners were able to postpone approximately $4.5 million in tax payments with the assistance of the state’s PTP program.
If you think you or someone you know could benefit from the PTP program‚ visit ptp.sco.ca.gov‚ call (800) 952-5661‚ or email postponement@sco.ca.gov for more information.
Helping YOU one case at a time! One of the greatest joys of serving as your Senator is helping you solve problems with a State Agency. If you need help dealing with a State Agency‚ please call my office at 619-596-3136 or visit my website here. |
Keeping Up With the Capitol
Senator Brian Jones Elected as Senate Minority Leader
Thank you to my colleagues for their trust in my vision to lead our caucus. The former leader‚ Senator Wilk‚ has been a strong leader for this caucus as he has supported us in our communication‚ legislative‚ and constituent services in important ways.
Californians are best served by hard-working elected officials that put bipartisanship and the betterment of the community first. This philosophy is something I have always tried to adhere to in the past and I will carry over as Senate Minority Leader.
Small businesses‚ middle class families‚ and college-bound Californians move out of state every day‚ with many of them never wanting or able to return because of the high cost of living‚ lack of affordable housing‚ and increasing property and violent crime in our state. As a sign of the severity of the issue‚ the moving company U-Haul ran out of trucks trying to meet the demand of those fleeing California.
It’s in situations such as this that we in the Minority Party will continue stepping up and offering alternative solutions that we think work better than the stale‚ big-government‚ Democrat Party knee-jerk standard responses.
I‚ and all the members of the California Senate Republican Caucus‚ have our sleeves rolled up and are ready to collaborate with our colleagues across the aisle to fix California. Now let’s all get to work!
For my full statement‚ please click here.
Senator Brian Jones introduces bills to lower gas prices and tackle homelessness on day one of his new Senate term
Two of the biggest issues California is facing are skyrocketing homelessness and soaring unaffordable gas prices. On the campaign trail‚ I promised voters that I would tackle both issues on day one of my next Senate term. Immediately upon being sworn into office‚ I followed through on my promises and introduced three bills: one to compassionately clear encampments and two to lower gas prices $1 per gallon by suspending the state’s gas taxes and fees.
For more information on my new bills‚ please click here.
Follow me @SenBrianJones on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook for the latest updates!
Stay tuned for more updates! To subscribe to my newsletter Keeping Up With The Capitol, please click here.
Senator Brian W. Jones was reelected to the California State Senate in 2022 representing the 40th Senate District which includes the Cities of Escondido‚ Poway‚ San Marcos‚ Santee‚ San Diego communities of communities of Carmel Mountain Ranch‚ Del Sur‚ MCAS Miramar‚ Mira Mesa‚ Rancho Bernardo‚ Ranch Peñasquitos‚ Sabre Springs‚ Santa Luz‚ Scripps Ranch‚ San Pasqual Valley‚ Sorrento Valley‚ Torrey Hills and University City‚ along with the San Diego County unincorporated communities of 4S Ranch‚ Alpine‚ Bonsall‚ Dehesa‚ Fallbrook‚ Harmony Grove‚ Hidden Meadows‚ Lakeside‚ Pala-Pauma‚ Pine Valley‚ Rainbow‚ Ramona‚ Twin Oaks‚ and Valley Center
Capitol Office 1021 O Street, Room 7140, Sacramento, CA 95814, Phone: (916) 651-4038
El Cajon Office 500 Fesler Street #201, El Cajon, CA 92020, Phone: (619) 596-3136
Escondido Office 720 North Broadway #110, Escondido, CA 92025, Phone: (760) 796-4655
