Guest View

A much deserved windfall is on its way to many low- and moderate-income California workers. For those who file state taxes and claim their benefit in 2017, the state is offering an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) that, combined with what is available through the federal government, could provide up to a $6,000 rebate to families who meet specific qualifications.Research has shown that the cash benefit from the EITC has been one of the single greatest contributors to move people and families out of poverty and to improve their financial security. Unlike other programs to assist low- and moderate- income families, this benefit applies only to those who are working but still remain in financial difficulty.  For many of us, $6,000 could ease our financial challenges and it could make the difference between a family keeping a roof over its head or becoming homeless.In 2015, Gov. Jerry Brown and the legislature created California’s EITC program, CalEITC, as a way to help qualified working, low-income families. This cash-back credit is intended to complement a similar federal EITC that has existed since enactment by President Gerald Ford in 1975. In order to benefit from the state credit, eligible families need to claim it when they file their state tax returns.According to the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD), the state agency that administers CalEITC, one out of five eligible workers does not claim the EITC on their state income tax return. On average, a qualified family that did not participate in 2016 lost $2,409 from the state and federal governments.The specific amount of cash-back credits for qualified working individuals and families depends on income and family size. Californians with an income of up to $53,505 annually may be able to receive cash-back by claiming the federal EITC on their tax return. Additionally, California families that earn up to $14,161 annually may be able to utilize the CalEITC to supplement the federal EITC when a state tax return is filed.If you meet the criteria, you must file federal and state income tax returns to claim the credits, even if you do not owe taxes or are not required to file a return.For more information, visit CSD’s website, www.csd.ca.gov/.  During this tax season, I encourage you to find out if you are eligible to receive the benefits of the Earned Income Tax Credit.  Monning represents the 17th Senate District, which includes all of San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz counties, and portions of Monterey and Santa Clara counties.

Amber left home at age 15 to escape physical abuse. After weeks in shelters and on the streets, she met John. He invited her to stay at his house and offered her food and clothing. But John’s “generosity” had a hidden cost as he demanded that she perform sex acts with him, and then with his friends.Seventeen-year-old Omar left El Salvador to work in his cousin Mateo’s restaurant in Northern California. Mateo promised good pay and the opportunity to attend school. Instead, Omar found himself working 10 to 14 hour days at less than minimum wage with no overtime pay. Mateo took half his wages, supposedly to pay down Omar’s “travel and living expenses.” Mateo also took his passport “for safekeeping” and warned Omar if he tried to leave, harm would come to his family in El Salvador.Aesha left India to join her new husband Bobby in America. Before their marriage, Bobby promised she could pursue college and career goals. Once in California, Aesha was forced to work as the family’s cook, housekeeper, nanny, and caregiver for Bobby’s parents. She knew no one else and was not free to come and go. Bobby and his parents beat her if she complained.Amber, Omar and Aesha are all victims of human trafficking. Their stories occurred right here in Santa Clara County. (Pseudonyms are used to protect identities.)There’s a misperception that human trafficking is just another name for prostitution, and that it only exists in distant countries. In reality, human trafficking is modern-day slavery. Traffickers profit by exploiting others through commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. They use violence, deception and coercion to control their victims, who are not free to leave the situation.Human trafficking is the world’s second largest and fastest-growing criminal industry with nearly 21 million people being denied their freedoms. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center collects data on reports of trafficking across the U.S. and operates the National Human Trafficking Hotline. In 2015, California led the nation with over 3,600 calls to the Hotline.Most cases reported in California involve sex trafficking, particularly the trafficking of minors in commercial sexual exploitation. Industries at high risk for labor trafficking include domestic work, health and beauty services, agriculture, janitorial services, hotels and construction. It can happen when employers unknowingly use subcontractors who are exploiting workers by confiscating their IDs, failing to pay them wages or denying them the freedom to leave.Federal and state lawmakers have enacted theTrafficking Victims Protection Act and the California Trafficking Victims Protection Act to define and criminalize human trafficking—a critical step to enable legal advocates, social services and law enforcement to protect victims and prosecute traffickers.Santa Clara County is not immune to human trafficking. To prevent it from taking root and growing in our neighborhoods, the first step is awareness. Community members are invited to a Human Trafficking information session co-hosted by Community Solutions and South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking, 7 to 8:45 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Morgan Hill Library, 660 West Main Ave.Perla Flores is Director of Solutions To Violence at Community Solutions. Sharan Dhanoa is Coordinator for the South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking.

Aug. 26 has been designated as National Women’s Equality Day to honor the women who fought tirelessly for the commissioning of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. The day also stands as a strong reminder that we need to continue to advocate for equality for all women.

April is recognized as World Autism Month, and I write this as both a mother and an advocate. Like many parents, my early experiences with autism were overwhelming and, at times, isolating.  In our community, support can feel limited. Many autistic children are often defined by...