WASHINGTON
Padilla statement on new Gallup Poll showing surge in support for immigration, widespread opposition to Trump’s inhumane policies
On Friday, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, issued the following statement after Gallup released a new poll showing a sharp increase in support for immigration and broad disapproval of President Trump’s mass deportation agenda:
“The numbers don’t lie: the majority of Americans agree that immigration is overwhelmingly good for our country and our economy. As the nation watches Donald Trump and Stephen Miller’s cruel policies separate families and sow fear in our communities — in our parks, our restaurants, our hospitals — they’ve become deeply unpopular, sparking a fierce backlash from the public and uniting people across the country against the President’s mass deportation agenda.
“We know our economy depends on the essential contributions of immigrants. California is the fourth-largest economy in the world not in spite of immigrants, but because of their contributions not only as a workforce, but as consumers and as entrepreneurs.
“Now is the time to finally deliver a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, farm workers, and other long-term residents of our nation who have been living and working in the shadows for far too long.”
In just one year, public support for reducing immigration has fallen by nearly half: only 30 percent of respondents said that immigration should be reduced, compared to 55 percent last year. An all-time record 79 percent of Americans believe immigration is a good thing for the country, with only 17 percent (a record-low) saying it’s a bad thing. Support for providing permanent pathways to citizenship is notably up from last year, with 78 percent of Americans agreeing that undocumented immigrants living in the United States deserve the chance to become citizens if they meet certain requirements over a period of time (up 8 percent from last year). At the same time, support for hiring more Border Patrol agents has plummeted by 17 percent since just last year, while support for the border wall and mass deportation has also begun to erode.
—Submitted
LAKEPORT
Lakeport City Council
The Lakeport City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 225 Park Street. The public is invited to participate in person or via Zoom.
Join remotely via Zoom:
https://zoom.us/j/97368201787?pwd=a2NvVnN6MEFjQ2Exc2pTZkpIdU1sQT09
Passcode: 477973
Public comments may be emailed in advance to: virtualhost@cityoflakeport.com (by 3:30 PM on July 15)
View full agenda at: www.cityoflakeport.com
Angenda highlights include:
- Recognition of Hilary Britton (CMC) & Bethany Moss (CFM)
- Sonoma Clean Power Feasibility Study
- Contract award for the Martin Street and Lakeshore Blvd. Repaving Project
- Approvals for upcoming events like Recovery Happens and Harvest Festival
Sonoma Clean Power
Join us to hear a special presentation from Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) on the findings of their updated feasibility study evaluating expansion into Lake County.
Learn how SCP’s clean energy program could bring:
- Lower, more competitive electricity rates
- Local control over energy choices
- Renewable power and energy efficiency programs
- Economic development through clean energy investments
This is a great opportunity to learn more and share your input on the future of energy in Lakeport.
—Submitted
NORTH COAST, California
PG&E commits $50 million to expand bill relief for customers with past-due bills
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is committing $50 million to new and existing financial assistance programs to support eligible customers with paying past-due energy bills. These programs include PG&E’s new Match My Payment Program and the existing PG&E Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) program.
The new PG&E Match My Payment Program offers a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $1,000, for qualifying low-to moderate-income customers to pay past-due bills to prevent service disconnections.
Qualifying customers may receive matching payments from PG&E for multiple bill payments throughout the year, up to a maximum match of $1,000. For example, a past-due customer can apply for support in June and continue the program in October if they fall behind on bills again. The program is scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2025.
Eligibility is based on federal income guidelines. For example, a family of four making less than $128,600 a year could qualify for assistance. This is significantly higher than the current limit of $62,400 for a family of the same size under the PG&E REACH program. Application information can be found here.
Applicants are required to pay at least $50 toward their outstanding balance each time to receive matching funds. A minimum past due balance of $100 is required to apply.
PG&E estimates approximately 400,000 customers may qualify for assistance through the Match My Payment Program. Funding is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on available resources.
“Our Match My Payment Program is designed to make sure more families receive support when they need it most, especially during the summer months when energy bills can peak,” said Vincent Davis, PG&E Senior Vice President, Customer Experience. “We encourage customers to check their eligibility and apply for the available assistance.”
Support also available through PG&E REACH Program
Customers may also be eligible for bill assistance through the PG&E REACH program, which provides income-eligible customers with a bill credit of up to $300 based on the past-due bill. Emergency assistance is available this year for customers with a disconnection notice. Income levels are lower than the PG&E Match My Payment Program.
Qualifying customers who have already received a $300 grant from PG&E’s REACH program in 2025 are pre-qualified for up to $1,000 from PG&E’s Match My Payment Program, with a combined maximum benefit of up to $1,300 on a past due amount.
In 2024, nearly 58,000 PG&E customers received more than $50 million in total assistance from the PG&E REACH program. The record assistance was distributed after PG&E increased benefits to qualifying customers last year.
PG&E contracts with the nonprofit Dollar Energy Fund (DEF) to process customers’ applications for program funding.
Additional funding for PG&E’s Match My Payment, REACH, and other bill relief programs will be regularly evaluated throughout the year to ensure resources are allocated effectively to meet customers’ needs.
Stabilizing customer bills
PG&E forecasts no additional electric rate changes for the rest of 2025. The company expects residential combined gas and electric bills to be essentially flat for the rest of 2025 and go down in 2026.
Even though bills are stabilizing, customers may see higher bills during the summer months when they use more energy to cool their homes and businesses.
To learn more about PG&E’s assistance programs, use a new Savings Finder tool or visit pge.com/billhelp.
—Submitted
