Big Bear, CA, April 13, 2016 – On Saturday, April 16, Senator Mike Morrell (R-Rancho Cucamonga) and Assemblyman Jay Obernolte (R-Big Bear Lake) will hold two community forums to discuss the status of the controversial state fire prevention “fee”, more commonly known as the fire tax.
Senator Morrell recently authored Senate Bill 198 (co-authored by Assemblyman Obernolte) to repeal the fire tax, but it was rejected on a party-line vote. However, Senate Bill 1136, legislation authored by Senator Morrell to require more detailed information on how CalFire spends money generated by the controversial fire prevention fee, was recently passed by a unanimous vote of the Senate Natural Resources Committee and will be considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee later this spring. “I and many others still maintain that the fire prevention ‘fee’ is an illegal tax and should be overturned, but while it is in effect, property owners should at least know how their money is being spent,” said Morrell. “SB 1136 is a transparency and accountability measure that answers the questions of hundreds of thousands of taxpayers across California.” Additionally, Assemblyman Obernolte has authored Assembly Bill 1642 to extend from 30 days to 60 days the deadlines to either pay the fire tax or file a petition for redetermination.
The Fire Tax Town Halls will be held Saturday from 9:00 am to 10:00 am in Lake Arrowhead at The Tudor House and from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm in Big Bear City at the Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency. For more information call (909)919-7731.
