Press Releases
Rep. Garcia Introduces Bill to Provide Tax Relief for CA-27 Residents Impacted by Chiquita Canyon Crisis
Washington,
October 4, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Mike Garcia (CA-27) introduced the Chiquita Canyon Tax Relief Act, a critical piece of legislation aimed at protecting residents of Val Verde, Castaic, and Valencia from being unfairly taxed on the financial assistance and compensation they receive due to the ongoing Chiquita Canyon landfill crisis. This bill ensures that current and future payments will not be considered taxable income, providing much-needed relief to families impacted by this disaster. “The Chiquita Canyon crisis has been dragging on far too long, and unfortunately, there appears to be no end in sight. Residents affected by this mess should not be financially penalized—whether it’s with surprise tax bills or losing out on benefits like food stamps because they participate in the relief program,” said Rep. Garcia. “This bill ensures that payments related to this disaster are not counted as taxable income, allowing them to keep their benefits and get the help they deserve.”
The Chiquita Canyon Tax Relief Act exempts:
Rep. Garcia emphasized that he’s taking action on behalf of the community. “I live here. I hear the frustrations of our residents every day. The people of CA-27 deserve real relief, and I’m committed to getting it done. We can’t sit back and let this crisis continue without doing everything we can to protect our community.” Rep. Garcia has been driving the response to the Chiquita Canyon crisis since residents first brought their concerns to him last year. In February, he welcomed the EPA’s involvement and has been pushing for a State of Emergency, even leading a bipartisan letter urging Governor Newsom to act. Rep. Garcia has called for the immediate closure of the landfill, except for local trash collection, and demanded a full investigation to hold those responsible accountable. He’s worked directly with landfill operators and officials at every level, securing federal resources for emissions monitoring and emergency response. Rep. Garcia has stayed in constant contact with residents to ensure they get the relief they deserve.
Rep. Garcia is calling on his colleagues to support the Chiquita Canyon Tax Relief Act and ensure that families impacted by this crisis aren’t left with further financial burdens.
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