Local News Comments

Once the bills have been submitted the challenges can begin. First thing they did was pass a law to file liens on properties that don't pay, even before they knew how much it would be. Gonna be fun watching this one

could someone please remind me what exactly our taxes pay for, cause I thought fire protection was part of that.

I just won't pay it and i encourage others to do the same...if enough stand up for thier rights, and call thier bluff, they won't be able to collect.

Here we go!!! This is the bigining not the end. When moonbeam gets done this $150 will feel like a drop in the bucket. Don't forget Obama wants his chunk of your money along with the public unions. Most of this money will go to fund the retirement of Cal-Fire employees who retire @ 50 then go back to work for the state @ a premium. They collect big money. When you see all this new equipment running around the pucker factor will go up.

Let the "No new taxes" grumbling begin! I don't object to paying my fair share for this valualble service. CalFire has been there when needed in my neighborhood.

Why not call it what it really is. Its a tax and If I live in Tuolumne where we have our own fire dept why do I have to pay and Sonora residents don't? Seems like BS to me. Well actually the whole thing is BS. Just some more of my money for incompetant politicians to squander....

The way the Bill is written it is a Financial Scam. To say they are increasing funds for Cal Fire but no money will ever see the Fire Line. The bill is written that just about anyone may apply for the funds as long as the say their intention is to maybe prevent a fire. The way this bill has been written it can be interpreted any way they want to at this point. Cal Fire funds have been cut along with staffing levels. This bill does nothing to benefit the employees. What you should be pissed about is how Departments have stashed away money that should of been used for fire protection. The politicians have been hiding funds for years while fire protection is being cut.

Bottom line .....Call your Representive, Congreesman, Assemblyman, or women or whoever represents the area you live in a voice your displeasure. Dont take it out on the first responders most of them dont want this bill either!

JWC,then pay property tax......like many of us already do!!!!!FYI I already pay for fire protection!!!I also clear my OWN fire breaks!!

Not Opposed to paying for what I consume and we certainly consume more resources from Cal Fire. I think we should impose similar taxes though on water usage for the big cities to cover the costs of these huge pipes we are apparently about to build. I'm getting zilch from that investment.

Well here we go again, this "fee" is just another scheme to to pay the already overpaid. Maybe we should follow the money trail and see who is making bank at the public trough. I'm sure there are many overpaid people who really don't do too much, as is common in state service. After making between $100k and $200k a year many upper eschelon Cal-Fire employees can retire at 55 and get 90% of their pay in retirement. Retirement should be partially paid with their own 401K. I know we need firefighters, but lets face it, when they have down time they should only be paid an on call salary. Only when a fire or other emergency happens should they be paid a higher wage. And as always the fat at the top should be trimmed. Do we get a refund if they don't have any major fires to fight? I doubt it.

I don't mind paying this as long as the money goes directly to CAL Fire and not into the General Fund.

That's my 2¢, anyway.

Some people need to educate themselves before they post inflammatory information that is incorrect. You embarrass yourself with such postings. C'mon MAN!

BTW I oppose this tax and it will never see the light of day after the lawsuits are done. The Unions and employees have nothing to do with this. Governor Brown only and the democratic legislature.

http://www.firepreventionfee.org/

If homeowners don't pay the tax will that mean the fire department won't respond if your house catches fire?

@JWC
This is an EXTRA tax on top of the taxes that are ALREADY supposedly set aside to pay for CalFire.

I agree, let's continue the "no new taxes grumbling", because they haven't heard us loud enough yet. This tax is yet another excuse to not balance the budget.

I wish I owned property so I could refuse to pay this.

JWC this debate is NOT about CalFire. CalFire IS a much heralded and important agency in the state. This debate IS about mismanagement and strong arm tactics by the governor and legislature. As pointed out by others, anyone who pays property tax in this state ALREADY pays for fire service. As a retired municipal law enforcement CEO and volunteer firefighter, I have witnessed and partcipated first hand in the "spend it, don't save it" mentality of the politicians as well as federal, state and municipal managers. I never approved of this mentality and I tried to "buck" the system only to be penalized by draconian budget and staffing cuts. So, lesson learned...play to get pay! And the surest way to "milk" the taxpayer is to threaten deep cuts in public safety. It's time to say NO MORE

Too bad we have to pay ravillata's share too, but CAL Fire will protect the folks not willing to pay their fair share just the same.

In New Yok they used to use fire companies as extortion.

@That's a nice building you have.@
store owner @Yes, it is..@

@Would be a shame if it burned down.....wink wink@
store owner @Bastard@

Today the state uses that...
Pay money?
Spend money..
Not enough? hold people at gunpoint.

This is one of two taxes I will pay for without complaint, as long as it goes strictly for fire fighting and not rider programs under the guise of fire protection. The other tax that I don't mind paying extra for is law enforcement as long as its just for law enforcement. You get what you pay for and I am willing to pay more for those two services and just those two services. I am not willing to pay a penny more for anything else.

Since we are all ready taxed for this service... I'll be "overlooking" this bill.

workingmom....why do you work?So you can wantonly hand over your money everytime a politician needs some?I will say it again....I ALREADY PAY FOR THIS,that money is probably being wasted elsewhere,so they want more to pay for what it already is supposed to.Also,it says its for fire breaks?Really,so why dont they have the Cons do that?

WorkingMom,,thank you for your genousity, but please do not pay on my behalf, i can take care of myself....just send me the $150 directly.

For those of you that are considering blowing off the fire tax bill, the state board of equalization anticipated this response and has a few surprises for you. “Residents living within California's "state responsibility area" are required to pay the fee within 30 days of receiving the bill or face steep penalties and interest”, according to the State Board of Equalization.

Yodad, i don't care, you can be threatened and bullied if you want,,,it makes thier job easier that way. Does anyone really believe this money is going to make a difference in our fire services.