mountainecho.com

In a poorly publicized move the state announced that it will start billing “rural” landowners living within the State Responsibility Area, this month (August). The bill, hotly contested by North State representatives to the cities, counties and state, was passed earlier this year when Governor Brown packed the State Forestry Board by adding new, Democratic members.
Brown wants the fee to help offset the state budget shortfall. The bill, however, does not address fire suppression, but prevention which primarily consists of education and inspection.
The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which adamantly opposes the “fee” and calls it a tax, says its hands are tied until such time as the state actually starts billing and someone gives them a bill. At that time they plan to file a lawsuit.
Speaking for the Shasta County Board of Supervisors, Les Baugh says, “CalFIRE’s budget has a $50 million dollar hole, and state lawmakers are raiding the pockets of rural Californians to fill it. In 2011, the state Legislature pushed through a budget bill that created a new fee on all homeowners living in the State Responsibility Area (SRA).