As your elected taxpayer advocate, I'm fighting to make sure all Californians are treated fairly and to promote tax policies that help grow our economy. I'm always willing to hear your ideas on how we can work together to solve the toughest problems facing our state.
GEORGE RUNNER
 




BOE Adopts New Reforms
 
A recent audit report by the Department of Finance highlighted some problems at the Board of Equalization when it comes to board member and agency practices.


In light of these issues, the Board voted at its April Board Meeting to adopt new policies that establish stricter protocols regarding member education and outreach.


The policy changes include creating a more robust clearance process for outreach activities, requiring Board review for certain events, and imposing a moratorium on major conferences until a new outreach plan has been adopted by the full Board. The Board also directed the development of memorandums of understanding for loaned staff.


For the next Board meeting agenda, I will include empowering the executive director to hire all executives (CEAs), with the exception of the chief counsel and future executive directors.


These reforms are vital steps towards remedying issues identified in the audit and reassuring taxpayers of our commitment to running an efficient and responsive agency.



​Californians Already Pay a Premium for Roads


 
Liberal lawmakers recently jammed a $52 billion gas tax hike (SB-1) through the state Legislature. Now, the bill awaits Governor Brown’s signature.






There are those who claim that there isn’t enough money to fix our roads without raising taxes. I disagree and explain why in an article I wrote for the Sacramento Bee showing just how much transportation taxes and fees Californians already pay.


John and Ken of KFI radio in Los Angeles had me on their radio show to talk about how this huge gas tax increase will undoubtedly impact low-income Californians who must travel farther distances to work.


It gets worse. The 12 cent increase will become a 19.5 cent increase in 2019. Plus the costs of Air Resources Board actions like cap and trade and the low carbon fuel standard will also impose significant new costs on motorists.


The Governor plans to sign the bill, but you can still let him know your thoughts.



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EASTERN SIERRA FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES MEETING was held by the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ in Loyalton on April 20th. Fire entities represented were Loyalton Fire Department, Sierra County Fire Protection District #1, Cal Fire, and the Forest Service. Sierra County Planning Director and executive officer of LAFCO, Tim Beals, led the scope of discussion and gave a history of fire protection in the county. He said over the past two decades there has been increased importance in fire protection, as well as increased reliance on cooperative agreements. This meeting focused on the east side of the county as the west side is completed covered by fire districts. Beals said on the east side there are issues with areas not currently being served by an organized fire district. Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District has agreed to serve Long Valley area as well as Verdi. Sierra County has an agreement with Truckee Meadows for $10,000 a year until they decide to change it.  Sierra County Fire Protection District has a portion of Verdi it serves. Beals stated that in the early 70’s there was a proposal to create a Loyalton fire protection district. He said the city council held a proceeding, which included Sierra Brooks and valley ranches close to Loyalton. In 1977 after agreements were reached and the formation was created, the City of Loyalton withdrew the approval of the fire district from LAFCO. Beals said he never understood why this happened. He continued, in early 1982, petitions were filed by residents in Sierra Brooks, and the Board of Supervisors took on the responsibility of filing. The proceeding went through many hearings over a two-year period and a supervisor determined that since the county service area zone had been set up there would not be a need to create a district and the zone could provide the fire protection services. Agreements were negotiated in 1991 and fire service agreements are annually renewed. In 2000, a concerted effort to study the consolidation of fire services in Sierra County and move toward fire districts protecting all corners of county. Sierra County Fire Protection District took on the opportunity at the request from the Board to upgrade the fire plan and to make recommendations for those areas that are currently not served. Service area 5 and 5a is a combination of Sierra Brooks subdivision and Smithneck Creek wildlife area. Beals said as they look at existing agreements a number of questions come up which include, indemnification, liability, cost, and scope of services. He said they have to get permission to extend service outside of boundaries, which involves LAFCO making a determination and there should be an expectation that it be annexed.
He said the fire agreements only involve service area 5 and 5a, which is Sierra Brooks, south half of Loyalton, Sierra Pacific property, Loyalton mobile home park and senior center apartments. Beals said the question was what do we do with those lands not in a protection district, like Loyalton pines, north of highway 49, and some valley ranches, which are in service area 4. Beals concluded this was why they are looking at what are the pros and cons are of forming a fire district for the east side of the county.
Beals introduced Rick Maddalena who is one of the five commissioners on the Sierra County Fire Protection District. He said when Verdi fire volunteers started disappearing they jumped in to try to create something. Maddalena stressed they want to be invited, adding this was not a hostile takeover. He said they need a means to provide service and new regulations are more burdensome on how agreements have to be done through LAFCO. The Sierra County Fire Protection District put together a “road show” and met with the Board of Supervisors three times and had two meetings in Verdi and a meeting in Long Valley also maintaining communications with Truckee Meadows Fire. What Maddalena found positive, was the opportunity to enhance their relationship with Loyalton Fire. He stated Loyalton Fire responds outside their district to help and takes no tax revenue from these areas, adding it didn’t seem right those services aren’t paid for in some regard. Maddalena said the general plan of action if they did annex the east side was to use Truckee Meadows Fire. They would see a special assessment district around Verdi to pay for Truckee Meadows Fire services. He would like to see Sierra County Fire Protection District contract with Loyalton Fire annually similarly to what they did with Verdi Volunteer Fire for years.
There were several questions from the audience centered on taxes going up. From the Sierra County Fire Protection District, Bill Copren, stated they can’t raise property taxes without a vote of a people. He said the hope is to increase the quality of fire protection and the intention is to have all who are receiving quality fire protection paying for it. He added that presently the way the system is set up, not one penny is going to fire protection in some areas.
From the audience, rancher, Dave Goicoechea stated he has benefitted from the USFS and fire department and he hasn’t been paying. He said he has made contributions from time to time to help and has no objection to be annexed into a fire district. Goicoechea felt a property tax percentage should go to the fire system.
Loyalton Fire Chief Shawn Heywood felt this was a “double edged sword,” if they see this go forward. Supervisor Paul Roen said services could not be reduced. They have to be matched or increased. Heywood wanted to let the audience know that Loyalton Fire will continue to respond to areas outside of their area, regardless of what happens.
City of Loyalton attorney, Steve Gross, asked if there was another way to “skin a cat” and encouraged them to look at different options. Beals said one option was to approve the agreements and deal with the questions when they come up. Gross mentioned creating a fire district completely separate from Sierraville. Supervisor Scott Schlefstein wanted to pursue a Loyalton Fire District.
From Loyalton Fire, John Evans asked if it was possible to have a fire services agreement for service areas 3 and 4, similar to what is being done in service area 5 and 5a. Beals said to extend services to Loyalton Pines, there would have to be a LAFCO agreement, which would require an establishment of a district or annexing to a district.
Audience member, Barbara Leffingwell, of Sierra Brooks stated she was happy with the contract and happy with service and hadn’t seen anything yet that would make her want to join a fire district. She said the LAFCO process takes a long time, and the renewal of the fire agreement would need to be approved by July 1. Leffingwell asked what happens if this process falls apart. County Counsel said contracts don’t expire, adding it would take action of the board to cancel the contract. Supervisor Lee Adams stated it was not the board’s intent to leave anybody high and dry.
Supervisor Roen asked if they could start the process to create special districts for Verdi and one in Long Valley. Beals, said yes, it would be direction to staff to place it on the next agenda. Board Chair Peter Huebner asked Sierra County Clerk Recorder Heather Foster to place it on the next agenda. Regarding the rest of the east side of the County, Supervisor Adams made the recommendation to continue discussion for the rest of the year and keep the present agreement the same in the mean time.
If Sierra County Fire Protection District is successful, the assessment would pass from the county to the fire district and then the county would be completely removed from negotiations and contracting responsibilities, which Beals said was the ultimate goal. Adams but wanted to let the audience know they will have til the end of the year to discuss this. He stated there was also a committee to deal with this issue and hoped the committee would start meeting on a regular basis.
Beals said Sierra County Fire Protection District has the independent authority to proceed with an annexation with or without the consent of the board or anybody, adding, they are an independent special district. He assumed that down the line they would eventually propose an application to LAFCO for annexation. Beals stated there needs a priority given to this issue and what the options are. Adams said they need to get to the end of the year and have some movement with clear direction. He will be pushing for the county to extricate itself.

NFIB awaits outline of plan to lower rates for businesses of all sizes and structures

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 26, 2017 – In anticipation of President Trump’s impending tax reform plan announcement, NFIB California State Executive Director Tom Scott issued the following statement on behalf of our 22,000 dues-paying small business members:

“We applaud President Trump for continuing to push for tax reform that would provide relief to businesses of all sizes and structures. Small businesses account for nearly half of the economy and nearly half the jobs. If the goal of tax reform is to boost the economy, then tax reform must start with small business.

“The President’s proposal for rate parity would make American businesses immediately more competitive. A low, single business tax would supercharge the economy, and create an even playing field for small businesses and large corporations. We are very happy that the White House has listened to small businesses.

“We also urge the California Legislature to embrace impending federal tax reform. There are currently legislative proposals which would reinstitute certain taxes in the event that Washington removes these tax burdens. Rather than serve as a roadblock to anything from the Trump Administration, California lawmakers should welcome tax relief from Washington and help make California more affordable and competitive for job growth.”

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For more than 70 years, the National Federation of Independent Business has been the Voice of Small Business, taking the message from Main Street to the halls of Congress and all 50 state legislatures. NFIB has 350,000 dues-paying members nationally, with over 22,000 in California. NFIB annually surveys its members on state and federal issues vital to their survival as America's economic engine and biggest creator of jobs. To learn more visit www.NFIB.com/california

NEVADA CITY, Calif. – Today, Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Eli Ilano announced changes to existing road closures on the Forest. Bowman Road (Forest Road 18) is now closed from Highway 20 north to Meadow Lake Road. Mosquito Ridge Road (Forest Road 96) is now closed from Interbay Road (Forest Road 96-17) east to the end of Mosquito Ridge Road at Ahart Campground. In addition, Buckeye Road (Forest Road 32-12) is now closed within 100 yards of Greenhorn Creek.


These updated road closures modify the previous Mosquito Ridge Road closure. While the previous closure included the section of Mosquito Ridge Road between Gorman Ranch Road (Placer County Road 3002) and Interbay Road, that closure has been lifted. However, travelers are encouraged to use caution, as there are sections of the road where one-lane traffic is in place to avoid road hazards and the vehicle weight limit is 20,000 pounds.


The new closure of Bowman Road expands the previous closure. This change was necessary after Forest engineers discovered extensive road damage on other sections of Bowman Road.


Snow, ice and debris are inhibiting access to some Tahoe National Forest Roads and additional road damage is still being revealed.


The additional closure of Buckeye Road at Greenhorn Creek is due to erosion of the creek crossing as a result of substantial winter rains.


“Similar to other national forests and counties in California, the Tahoe National Forest has seen extensive damage to roads and other infrastructure from this year’s winter storms,” said Forest Supervisor Eli Ilano. “Unsafe conditions, damaged roads, as well as snow and debris have resulted in the need to close some roads to public use. These closures are for public safety and we hope to have them back open as soon as they are repaired and deemed safe for travel.”


Those with a valid permit from the U.S. Forest Service are authorized to use these roads, as are any Federal, State or local officers or members of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of official duty.


For more Tahoe National Forest information, go to www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/Tahoe_NF and “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TahoeNF.

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Higher Education Committee Vice Chair Catharine Baker issued the following statement in response to the California State Auditor’s report detailing an undisclosed $175 million reserve fund maintained by the Office of the President of the University of California and other financial concerns:


“The UC Board of Regents just raised tuition on students and has nearly doubled in-state student tuition over the last 10 years, while spending hundreds of millions of dollars on projects and administrative salaries. Students and their families deserve confidence that their money is being spent wisely. The UC Office of the President acknowledges the need to address the Auditor’s findings. I look forward to working with my Assembly colleagues, students, and the UC to get to the bottom of this and do all we can to help UC get its financial house in order.”

 

[Sierra City, CA] — This June, volunteers will restore the historic Wild Plum Guard Station in the Tahoe National Forest. Denver-based nonprofit HistoriCorps will recruit volunteers to perform the restoration work under supervision of trained field staff. This is the third year HistoriCorps crews will work on the site.


HistoriCorps is a nonprofit that engages volunteers in restoration of historic structures on public lands across America.  It is a service learning partner of the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture committed to the preservation and stewardship of significant resources on public lands. 


Volunteers of every age and experience are welcome to participate in the Wild Plum project. HistoriCorps work sessions typically last for five days each, with volunteers camping, eating and working together for the duration. HistoriCorps provides all meals, a campsite, training and tools for each week-long session. Volunteers will camp at nearby Wild Plum Campground, waking up every morning to spectacular views. Participants will be introduced to the history of the site, and can mingle with other volunteers from across the nation, many forming lasting friendships in the process.


The Wild Plum site dates back to 1908, when the Tahoe National Forest’s Sierra Ranger District purchased land to build an administrative site.  Already occupied by a residence built in 1907, the Forest Service added a bunkhouse, a barn, and a shed to the property.  The Civilian Conservation Corps, a public work relief program operated under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, constructed a garage for the complex during the 1930s.  When the Downieville and Sierra Ranger Districts combined in 1946, Wild Plum was used as a guard station for fire crews and employee housing until it was abandoned in the early 1980s. The Wild Plum complex currently suffers from vandalism and neglect.


HistoriCorps volunteers will spend two weeks this June rehabilitating the Wild Plum garage, blacksmith shop and barn. The scope of work for this project will include painting, removing threatening vegetation, strengthening building foundations, and repairing doors and siding. The project will run for two sessions, from June 13-18 and June 20-25.


To learn more about the project or to register as a volunteer, visit http://historicorps.org/events/wild-plum/.   For more information please contact Liz Rice, Volunteer Manager, at lrice@historicorps.org or 720-287-0100 ext 231.


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ABOUT HISTORICORPS
Founded in 2009, HistoriCorps® is a national initiative that works through partnerships to mobilize volunteers to save and sustain our nation’s special places while providing educational and outdoor experiences. The organization is based in Denver, CO and coordinates and instructs projects throughout the United States. At the heart of the HistoriCorps program model is the engagement of a broad and diverse cadre of partners and volunteers. By working with constituents, partners and volunteers, HistoriCorps implements meaningful solutions that save historic sites for generations to come. These critical partnerships enable HistoriCorps to fundamentally change the way in which America saves and sustains its cultural and historic heritage. 

Background:
For this month’s map series, the CED looked at the counties of California that may be most affected by Proposition 56, which went into effect on April 1, 2017. This proposition increased the tax on tobacco products from $0.87 to $2.87, and changed the tax’s revenue allocation to support existing state healthcare programs. To study the effects of smoking across California counties, we looked at each county’s overall percentage of residents who smoke, as well as each county’s mortality rate from lung cancer.
Overview and Analysis:
The counties with the highest overall percentage of residents who smoke is a tie between Alpine County and Humboldt County with 16% of the overall population smoking. The lowest percentage of smokers overall was in Santa Clara County with 8%. On average, 11.75% of Californians smoke, while just over 14 percent of residents of the the CSU Chico Service Region smoke.
The mortality rate from lung cancer was highest in Del Norte County with 59.9 deaths per 100,000 people. The lowest was found in Imperial County with 27 deaths per 100,000. Three counties did not have any available data for mortality rate due to their low populations: Sierra, Alpine and Mono. The average lung cancer mortality rate for California was 34.8 per 100,000, while the CSU Chico service region had a much higher rate of 48.1 deaths per 100,000.
Although the highest numbers for each category were not in the CSU Chico service region, the overall data for our 12-county region gives us much higher numbers than the rest of the state. Counties in our service region experience lung cancer mortality rates of almost exclusively over 45 deaths per 100,000, with 9 of the 12 counties being in this range. The overall percentage of smokers in our region is also higher than state averages, with 9 of the 12 counties reporting more that more than 13 percent of residents are regular smokers.
While Proposition 56 was not popular in the ballot box in the CSU, Chico Service Region, it seems that our region stands to be one of the most impacted by the measure. While a greater percentage of residents in our region will be impacted by the higher tobacco tax, we also contain a greater percentage of residents who may change their tobacco consumption habits in response to the price increase, or who may stand to benefit from the state’s expanded anti-smoking and healthcare efforts. 

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