Politics & Government

Assemblyman for the Pass Criticizes Gov. Brown's Proposed Fire Tax Hike

Additional taxes, based on number of structures and acreage, could reach as high as $3,000 annually, according to Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley, who represents the San Gorgonio Pass.

The state assemblyman who represents Beaumont, Banning and Cabazon has introduced legislation to repeal a new fire tax on rural homeowners.

Additional taxes, based on number of structures and acreage, could reach as high as $3,000 annually, according to Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley, who represents the San Gorgonio Pass.

Recent fire history in the Pass, a known fire corridor, includes the arson-set, 2006 Esperanza Fire that burned more than 60 square miles, destroyed 34 homes and 20 outbuildings, and resulted in the deaths of five U.S. Forest Service firefighters.

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Gov. Jerry Brown's proposal for the new tax is unfair and misguided, Cook said in a statement announcing the new legislation on Monday.

Brown passed a new $150 per parcel fire tax in June 2011, but that tax was reduced to $90 by the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, according to Cook.

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In response to the board's decision, the Governor and his allies introduced AB1x24, to replace the $90 tax with a tax of "at least" $175, according to Cook and his staff.

Additional taxes would be imposed based on the number of structures and acreage and could reach as high as $3,000 annually, Cook said.

"It's bad enough that many homeowners are already being double-taxed for their fire protection because of June's illegal fire tax," Cook said. "Now, the Governor and his allies in the legislature are proposing even steeper taxes on struggling rural homeowners.

"The sad fact is that the only solution this Governor seems to have for balancing the budget is to raise new taxes on struggling Californians," Cook said. "We can't afford another tax increase, which is why I'm joining with Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R- Lake Elsinore) to introduce legislation to repeal the fire tax."

Jeffries and Cook have introduced AB1x45, which would repeal the fire tax. Despite their efforts to bring it to the floor, the majority in the legislature blocked the bill from being heard this year, according to Cook's staff.

AB1x24 was blocked for this year when the Senate failed to act on it before the legislature adjourned.

Cook said he expects that the Governor will push to raise this tax again next year.


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