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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | APRIL 2023 11 The court case involving the city of Banning, Creation Equity, and the Pass Action Group (PAG) is continuing. Randy Robbins of the PAG Steering Committee has advised me that the developer's response to the PAG's brief has been received. There was a Town Hall in February at Sun Lakes. This meeting was attended by a large number of residents of Sun Lakes and other residents of Banning and Beaumont. The PAG briefed the attendees on the progress of the case and what is currently pending. The PAG had until March 9 to respond to the developer's brief in court. A hearing may be held in April or May. As you can see, the case is moving through the court system. The PAG had a fundraising dinner on March 26. Such events are an important part of the process of fundraising to enable the PAG to pay for legal and other expenses incurred in fighting the warehouse project. The PAG is current on all expenses thanks to the great support received in Sun Lakes and other areas of Banning and Beaumont. Fundraising is ongoing. If you want to make an online donation, it can be made at www.givebutter.com/passactiongroupbanning. Checks can be sent to the Pass Action Group, 4832 Crenshaw Circle, Banning, CA 92220. The PAG's Board of Directors thanks everyone who have supported and continue to support the efforts to overturn the warehouse proposal. Read the Breeze monthly for updates BANNING WAREHOUSE UPDATE By Jerry Monahan, Board President DID YOU KNOW that April showers bring May flowers? That old adage doesn't necessarily ring true, though, especially in warmer climates. Scientists note there's one factor that's much more important than rainfall in determining when a particular flower will bloom: temperature. When the average temperature begins to approach spring-like weather, flowers will begin to bloom, regardless of exactly how much rain they received in April or the month before they began to bloom. No need to do away with such a productive turn-of-phrase, though! Rather than being rooted in botany, this nostalgic saying can serve as a simple way to avoid the blahs of rainy weather by focusing, instead, on the beauty of better weather ahead. DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW the IRS offers several tax deductions for seniors? If you know what the 2023 standard deduction for seniors is, you are well on your way to successfully filing. However, there are other deductions and considerations to keep in mind as well for both federal and state taxes; an increased standard deduction, a different filing threshold, the Social Security Tax Exemption, business and hobby deductions, medical expense deductions, the Elderly or Disabled Tax Credit, charitable deductions, retirement plan contribution benefits, the Estate and Gift Tax, and state senior tax exemptions, among many others. Additionally, the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. These programs offer free tax help, particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.

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