Sen. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale, introduced a new series of bills focused on aerospace this week, and plans to host a town hall meeting in Santa Clarita on March 8.

Knight put four more measures across the Senate desk, adding to his aerospace package Thursday.

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The bills include sales and use tax exemptions on manufacturing specifically relating to aerospace (SB 412), education income tax credits for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) majors (SB 413), new hire credits for recent aerospace engineers (SB 414), and an addition to last year’s successful space flight indemnity legislation (SB 415).

“We must include tools and incentives for aerospace-related businesses to maintain their competitive edge in the United States as other states continue crafting incentives of their own to lure California jobs away,” Knight said.

“The bills introduced today are business-friendly to aerospace and expand the incentive for younger generations to enter the STEM field.”

Aerospace has a large presence in California as a powerful industry with a reliable source of employment and innovations directly employing more than 162,000 people here, while supporting 640,000 jobs in related fields.

“As a leader in aerospace and defense systems, it is imperative that we continue to foster public policy that is supportive of an industry vital to the history, economy, security, and educational system of California,” concluded Knight.

Knight is also hosting a town hall in Santa Clarita on Friday, March 8 at the Santa Clarita Activities Center, 20880 Centre Pointe Pkwy.

The meeting, which will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., will cover all topics concerning his constituents including the budget, taxes, water and legislation.

“I’m delighted to be holding my first ever town hall for the citizens of the Santa Clarita Valley.  Meeting with these residents helps me to understand their concerns and to discuss issues important to our community and California,” Knight said. “It is a mutually beneficial event that I enjoy holding throughout my district.”

Information about the town hall may be found by calling Sarah Tyndall at Knight’s Santa Clarita District Office: 661-286-1471.

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In addition, Knight is authoring legislation to recognize the month of March 2013 as California Aerospace Month. He will be joined by his Senate and Assembly colleagues alongside industry leaders from all over the state with a weeklong event in Sacramento.

This series of reforms is intended to assist the aerospace industry in California and create jobs in a down economy awaits referral by the Senate Rules Committee to appropriate policy committees.

Knight represents the 21st Senate District, which includes the Antelope and Victor valleys, and about half of the Santa Clarita Valley.