This session several important bills were blocked in the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees. While good bills died, others like allowing felons to serve on juries got support.The Renter’s Tax Credit to help low and middle income renters has not been increased in decades to keep up with the cost of living. Senate Bill 248, written by Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, would have helped millions. A major priority of the legislature is tackling high housing costs, yet renters were let down.Assembly Bill 211, written by Assembly member Ian Calderon, D-Whittier, incentivized college savings by allowing tax deductions for Californians contributing to 529 savings plans. Student loans amount to 61% of all federal college financial aid, which is now estimated at over $1.5 trillion. I
