Governor’s firefighting proposal is a tax disguised as a fee

[Marty]

This is just what Californians need when most have a hard time making their house payments.

Governor’s firefighting proposal is a tax disguised as a fee
By Kevin Jeffries

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently proposed that every California homeowner and business owner pay a new 1.25 percent tax on their property insurance—a $125 million tax increase—to pay for what he says will be improved firefighting efforts statewide, but many of us believe that it will largely go to backfill cuts the administration has proposed at CalFire.

Having served my community as a volunteer firefighter for 29 years, fire protection and prevention are of tremendous importance to me, but this new fire tax plan is both unfair and unnecessary for our state.

The governor’s administration claims that the fire tax is necessary to prevent cuts to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s budget, also known as CalFire, in light of our state’s $14.5 billion budget deficit. I believe, however, that Californians send enough of their hard-earned money to Sacramento.

Californians pay enough in taxes every year to support fire protection when paying their property tax bills. Many communities also pay assessments—approved by local voters—dedicated specifically for fire protection in their community. In my home county of Riverside, we already contract with CalFire for our fire protection services, and this new tax would result in us paying twice for its services. Builders of new homes and buildings also typically pay local governments for new fire stations to serve a growing population.

I am especially troubled by efforts to push through what is clearly a tax increase on a simple majority vote by calling it a “fee.â€

[CharlieS.]

As far as Davis getting ousted..my "kicker" with him was the California 's fiasco with the power shortage .Damn 3rd world countries had a better plan than one of the worlds biggest economys . Since he is the pres" of cal..and went on record admitting there were mis-handlings with the situation..he was the one responsible . I'm sure his master plan of re-establishing the hiked car tax (3x) back then didnt help honestly ,besides what does dmv tag cost have anything to do with funds outside the vehicle/highway maintence arena?My frikkin cars and trucks are not part of what the fire dept needs to get money from. Honestly though my ,or someones home may . Think about it...not counting the current state of economics ,we as home owners benefit by the sole fact that we live here financially .(Crazy as it sounds) As far as the "protection costs" there is no way around it,I dont like it but it amounts to insurance really. You pay ahead,and hope its not needed. If I live on a cliff with a view of the ocean-and all the "brag rights ) Maybe I should have to pay more for emergency services...Live in a combustable area...same status...Anyways...I dont see any fire dept/police..etc...even consider not getting more than what they have now as far as budgeting . It has to come from somewhere ,..no one will ever say "no..its ok..we can suffice on 5% less next year...its all about the greed my friend. Damn--dont I sound depressing!!! Charlie