July 5, 2024

Celebrating Independence Day

I celebrated this 4th of July at events in Hawaiian Gardens and Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos. These events provided an amazing opportunity to celebrate with constituents and the young men and women who have given themselves in service to so that we can enjoy the independence we celebrate today. I was honored to get to know them, their families, and the communities members who make their work possible. Thank you to Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos for allowing me to partake and for putting on an incredible evening. Happy 4th of July to all!

House Passes More Support for STARBASE Program

Last week, the House passed legislation sponsored by myself and Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24) to increase funding for the STARBASE Youth STEM Educational Program. This program, sponsored by the Department of Defense, gives primary and secondary students access to science and math education inside military bases, including Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos. Students who have taken the program show significant improvement in math and science skills, and a new enthusiasm for STEM. This enthusiasm is vital to combat California’s skilled labor shortage and I look forward to seeing the continued success of these students.

Newsom's Gas Tax Increasing

On July 1st, California's annual gas tax increase took place. Now, the state tax on gas is up to 60 cents per gallon. With inflation higher than ever and families struggling more and more to afford basic necessities, Gavin Newsom and his allies in Sacramento continue to add pressure at the pump. More expensive gas means driving to the store, school and work are all more expensive. Californians already pay the highest gas taxes in the country, and desperately need relief at the pump. Newsom can still put an end to the increasing tax on gasoline while the cost of living in California continues to rise. California families deserve better than this unfair, burdensome tax, as I laid out in my recent op-ed in the Orange County Register.

Offering Help with a Federal Agency

As a Representative, my office offers assistance to constituents navigating federal agencies. I can help with issues related to Social Security, expediting a passport, locating a federal tax return, and more. We recently heard from one constituent named William regarding an issue we helped resolve with the IRS.

Today I checked where is my refund from the IRS.

Thank you so much for your help.

Your inquiries to the IRS speeded up the refund.

Thank you so much,

-William

Retired disabled military veteran

Buena Park

Visit here for more information on assistance with a federal agency.

What I'm Reading

Thanks for taking the time to read about what I've been doing on behalf of Southern California families. Be sure to connect with my official Facebook, X, and Instagram pages, where I post the latest news and updates. It is an honor to serve you in Congress.

Sincerely,

Rep. Michelle Steel
Member of Congress