In his continued efforts to fight the fire fee, Sen. Ted Gaines (R-Rocklin) has introduced three pieces of legislation this session that will provide relief for rural Californians required to pay the fee.

  “This $150 fire tax is illegal and unfair — plain and simple,” said Gaines. “My goal with these bills is to offer some hope and support to Californians who are still facing a 10 percent unemployment rate and struggling just to make ends meet.”

  Senate Bill 17 would reverse the governor’s and legislative Democrats’ decision to raise $84 million in taxes by charging rural property owners a “fee” for fire prevention services as part of the 2011-12 budget.

  These communities are located in “state responsibility areas” designated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), even though owners’ property taxes already contribute to the service contracts that counties have with CalFire.

  Senate Bill 125 would exempt a property owner of a structure that is located both within an SRA and within the boundaries of a local fire protection district from having to pay the $150 fee.

  Many rural property owners already pay local fire agencies for protection so this legislation would eliminate the “double-taxation” scenario for those residents.

  Senate Bill 147 would exempt any property owner located within an SRA who has an income of less than 200 percent of federal poverty level (as determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines) from paying the $150 fire fee. Many Californians fall within this low-income category.

    This fire fee has been imposed on the owners of more than 800,000 properties in the state. According to census and CalFire data, Gaines’ largely rural district includes nearly 25 percent or approximately 200,000 of the properties whose owners are subject to the fee.

    “My legislation comes at a time when CalFire has been accused of stashing away millions in a secret fund,” said Gaines. “I hope my legislative colleagues realize that charging rural Californians a $150 illegal fire fee specifically to support CalFire operations, at the same time they are hiding millions, provides enough justification to support these bills.”

Sen. Ted Gaines represents the 1st Senate District, which includes all or parts of Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra and Siskiyou counties.

Comments  

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-8#1el doble rasero — Goyo2013-02-20 08:13

Nothing makes a con happier than weaseling out of paying something. 'State responsibility areas' sounds like agenda 21 talk to me. When it benefits you, you want it, when it might not, you call it socialism. Wait until it's privatized, then this fee will seem cheap.

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+2#2Thank you 'Goya — RK2013-02-20 11:47

For showing once again the Hard-Left in PC is for anything as long as its Forced & Mandatory

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-5#3I wonder rk — goyo2013-02-20 12:23

Do you think it's mandatory when a 911 call is placed someone show up, or when that fire is burning west of you someone put it out? Why is it not mandatory it gets paid for? It is unfortunate to be forced, but that is a consequence of people not being responsible and paying for what they should.

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-2#4Consider the recent fire in PC — RK2013-02-20 16:43

where Govt-Paid firefighting employees w/equip showed-up at a residential fire & just WATCHED the house burn because because it wasnt their 'fire'.

How does throwing more MONEY at a fire put it out..when you already have GOVT firefighters watching homes burn in Plumas County

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-2#5Did anyone ask the Senator — RK2013-02-20 16:49

On his comment about the story in Plumas County where FED govt FIREFIGHTERS responded to a residential fire in full regalia ready to Serve & WORK & told the residents TOO BAD..its not our fire...refused to put it out

anyone ask him about that?

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-3#6rk more info — Goyo2013-02-20 18:49

rk- This fire that you reference- what is the address, when did it happen, and what GOVT agencies were involved? I want to know.

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-1#7The story was in PCN — RK2013-02-20 20:01

Ask the editor of PCN..i recall it happened in Greaeagle.
Though what would it matter Goyo,,theres no way that $150 TAX is 'sustainable' in the aspect of creeping incrementalism.
If your in-favor of it because its another forced mandatory TAX..that in-its-self doesnt make it sustainable

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-4#8RE: Sen. Gaines proposes legislative relief from fire fee — goyo2013-02-20 20:29

It matters because you make bold claims. It's beginning to sound like you don't know what you are talking about. It's like I always say 'you can tell your talking to a con, cause they make it up as they go along.'

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-2#9"Bold Claims" ? — RK2013-02-21 10:46

Our elected rep >Quote< “This $150 fire tax is illegal and unfair — plain and simple,” said Gaines.

So your counter---concise point is what Goyo?
that its fair because its something forced & mandatory? No downside at all?

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-4#10I'm at a disadvantage — goyo2013-02-21 11:00

When I have discussions with people who think it ok to make stuff up to fit their narrative. What say you about that house in Graeagle again? Or do you just want to forget it? Have you ever had to call 911? I see no downside in having a well funded, trained, and staffed emergency service.

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-3#11I'm thankful for that Gay dude — Goyo2013-02-21 11:01

Read the article on firefighter of the year and use some of the facts from the article. Thirty nine volunteers from Quincy alone, while 3 paid staff. Wow! That community should be thankful for such a giving few that donate their own time and money to saving us. You want to be cheap over $150?

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-4#12Gaines looks to be an empty suit — Goyo2013-02-21 11:04

But of course you like Gaines because he has the correct digit after his name. You should learn to look past that. Gaines effort would be better served creating jobs so people around here when presented with a bill for $150 say 'no problem, I got that' instead of this woe is me attitude.

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+2#13RE: Sen. Gaines proposes legislative relief from fire fee — Me2013-02-21 14:52

I believe that this is mainly a Cal-Fire fee, how many Cal fire engines are in the Quincy, Greenville, Portola area? NONE!!! closest one is in Susanville, I dont see those engines responding to structure fires anywhere around here.

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-2#14me- of those towns only greenville is in SRA — goyo2013-02-21 16:08

There is a map that shows who is in SRA and not. Most of Quincy and Portola look like they don't pay the fee. Could be wrong. Also looking at incident page cal fire has been involved in numerous fires in Plumas. Depends on arrangement each agencies have.

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+1#15wont be posting here anymore — RK2013-02-21 19:21

I wont be posting on PCN anymore & offer u Goyo this TIP.the farther 1 goes to the hard-left, the more they sound just like the hard-right.Your slurs, smears, innuendo, false-labeling & contempt.are you a paid 'blogger'? Maybe from Berkeley? ss you dont 'represent PC' as i Love & know my neighbors

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-2#16call the waaaaaaaammmbulance — Goyo2013-02-22 05:56

The only thing I agree with you is the contempt charge. I have contempt for when people make stuff up. Generally that is a direct result from one listening to the radio or only faux news to get their info. To that charge I will not back down. If you try to spread falsehoods I will debunk them.

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0#17Goyo i concede — RK2013-02-22 14:06

That i searched the PCN archives & could no locate the story..I recall it occured near Blairden-Greaeagle where Govt firefighters stood & watched a private residence burn

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0#18Goyo i concede — RK2013-02-22 14:10

Apparently atorys going POOF on PCN is nothing new, in-fact it happend just this AM on the Grizzly Water Dist story..there 1min completely POOF the next,,so just because something was once shown on PCN & then it goes POOF is Not an indication & or in-it's-self denote someone is a Liar

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0#19RE: Sen. Gaines proposes legislative relief from fire fee — Web Master2013-02-22 15:43

Its possible the story you are searching for was in the printed newspaper but not on the website. We only publish on the website a sample of stories for the newspaper. As for the Grizzly Water District story, we did take that down this morning because it may need a correction.

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0#20Thank You — RK2013-02-22 16:08

TY for clearing that up ED..& yes i think thats why the other guys are called " the most trusted name in news"..this is the place that hosts post #11 & 12

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0#21Late News! — RK2013-02-22 17:57

A resignation in Sacto might put the Super-Majority in danger & might possibly help Sen. Gaines & give relief..funny is the Dem quit to go-to work for BIG-OIL :D..Hilarious the Dems might lose the Super-Majority in CA because of BIG-OIL

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0#22best news i heard all day — RK2013-02-22 17:59

story is on KCRA 3 Sac News

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0#23good words RK- good words — Goyo2013-02-22 18:42

It was never my intention to frustrate or disrespect you into silence. It is important to have disagreeing viewpoints, and have discussions on why we have the opinions we do. The opposing side should always be heard not silenced. So please may we meet again in discourse.

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0#24I was genuine — Goyo2013-02-22 18:45

I wanted to know if an agency did sit by and watch a fire burn. It has happened. Use the google and do a search about TN. It was because they didn't pay a fee.

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-1#25my point was — Goyo2013-02-22 18:48

You know, we never really know we need a fire service until we have a fire. Then it's too late. It's just one of those things we should be responsible for and have for we when need it. $150 equates to 41 cents a day for protection. I can't budge, it's a bargain. Till we meet again RK

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0#26No hard feelings — RK2013-02-22 20:15

Fascinating was there was no need for Vitreol,as untill this AM there was total 1-sided rule w/the Dem super-majority in Sac..there wasnt a chance of Gaines winning relief

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0#27No hard feelings — RK2013-02-22 20:20

Sure everyone wants firefighters to arrive quick..though is THIS the Best Way to fund it, certainly its not the ONLY way..

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+1#28No hard feelings — RK2013-02-22 20:26

Heres a FAIR question..The state could sell some offshore oil permits & earmark the tax revenue from that to fund this

So it wouldnt financially hurt 1 single family in california.

That would be way to fund it, if its REALLY needed that bad...if its really needed that bad

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0#291,2,,3 Trillion dollars in OIL off the coast — RK2013-02-22 20:54

Its been said there might be 1,2,3 Triiion dollars of Liquid Gold off the coast of calif just ready to be harvested..Theres no need for any new State Taxes > period..when theres Trillions of dollars in OIL just sitting there

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-1#30RE: Sen. Gaines proposes legislative relief from fire fee — LASS2013-02-25 16:11

Goyo, no personal offense intended, but you do tend to pivot directly to the partisan insults. You may not agree with conservatives, but that does not mean they are stupid, uninformed or liars. To accuse them of such shuts down the lines of debate and communications.

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