Supervisors Support Fire-Related State Bill
Posted by: Mighty Thor | 03/25/2008 3:39 PM
From Supervisor Pam Slater-Price:
Board Approves Slater-Price Board Letter to Support Plescia Legislation
The Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved
Supervisor Pam Slater-Price's
recommendation to officially endorse state legislation that would provide tax credits to property owners throughout the entire state who make certain fire safety improvements to their properties.
Assembly Bill 1912, authored by Assemblyman George Plescia (R - San Diego), would allow tax credits for property owners that make structure improvements that fall within the guidelines of "wildfire risk reduction improvements." The window of opportunity for taxpayers to be eligible for the credit would be Jan. 1, 2009 to Jan. 1, 2013.
The County of San Diego's Firestorms After Action Report declared that newer homes constructed with new fire-safe building codes handled the fire better than older homes built to less stringent codes. Additionally, the report stated many homes burned as a result of flying embers landing on wooden decks and on shake wood roofs. Weaknesses in the exterior also contributed to the number of homes lost. Small openings, including cracks and holes, created a tinder box for fires.
"I would like to thank Assemblyman Plescia for introducing this legislation in response to the 2007 wildfires," said Supervisor Slater-Price. "After surveying the damage in Rancho Bernardo, homes there seemed to burn from the inside-out. Retrofitting homes with the appropriate fire-safety improvements could increase chances of being saved in the next fire."
According to AB 1912, structure improvements are explained as replacement of less fire-resistive materials with fire-resistive or noncombustible roofing, siding or walls, decking materials, and windows as well as improvements that create boxed eaves, louvered attic vents and other modifications to reduce the opportunity for wind-blown embers to penetrate into vulnerable areas of a structure.
Assemblyman Plescia stated, "In 2007, my district took a huge hit with the California wildfires. This is why I am proposing AB 1912. This is a net tax credit of up to 15 percent for those who make improvements to their homes under the guidelines of 'wildfire risk reduction improvements.' This credit will help reduce future damages and cost that the state incurs during wildfire."
"The County of San Diego is dedicated to improving fire protection throughout the region," added Slater-Price. "Endorsing AB 1912 is just one example of how this Board will continue to work with area leaders to improve public safety in San Diego."
Board Approves Slater-Price Board Letter to Support Plescia Legislation
The Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved
Supervisor Pam Slater-Price's
recommendation to officially endorse state legislation that would provide tax credits to property owners throughout the entire state who make certain fire safety improvements to their properties. Assembly Bill 1912, authored by Assemblyman George Plescia (R - San Diego), would allow tax credits for property owners that make structure improvements that fall within the guidelines of "wildfire risk reduction improvements." The window of opportunity for taxpayers to be eligible for the credit would be Jan. 1, 2009 to Jan. 1, 2013.
The County of San Diego's Firestorms After Action Report declared that newer homes constructed with new fire-safe building codes handled the fire better than older homes built to less stringent codes. Additionally, the report stated many homes burned as a result of flying embers landing on wooden decks and on shake wood roofs. Weaknesses in the exterior also contributed to the number of homes lost. Small openings, including cracks and holes, created a tinder box for fires.
"I would like to thank Assemblyman Plescia for introducing this legislation in response to the 2007 wildfires," said Supervisor Slater-Price. "After surveying the damage in Rancho Bernardo, homes there seemed to burn from the inside-out. Retrofitting homes with the appropriate fire-safety improvements could increase chances of being saved in the next fire."
According to AB 1912, structure improvements are explained as replacement of less fire-resistive materials with fire-resistive or noncombustible roofing, siding or walls, decking materials, and windows as well as improvements that create boxed eaves, louvered attic vents and other modifications to reduce the opportunity for wind-blown embers to penetrate into vulnerable areas of a structure.
Assemblyman Plescia stated, "In 2007, my district took a huge hit with the California wildfires. This is why I am proposing AB 1912. This is a net tax credit of up to 15 percent for those who make improvements to their homes under the guidelines of 'wildfire risk reduction improvements.' This credit will help reduce future damages and cost that the state incurs during wildfire."
"The County of San Diego is dedicated to improving fire protection throughout the region," added Slater-Price. "Endorsing AB 1912 is just one example of how this Board will continue to work with area leaders to improve public safety in San Diego."
CATEGORY:
California Politics, San Diego Politics
When you ask the state to stop collecting taxes (tax cut), then it means there will be less revenue coming into its coffers.
How much will this bill cost the state in lost revenue each year, how much will it save the state in expenses each year, then balance it out each year and tell us what programs you cut each year to cover the loss in revenue.
But, if Pam and George are giving out tax credits, then as a City of San Diego resident, I want one for paying to have my trash picked up, when others get it for free. As a County of San Diego resident, then I want one for having to buy more expensive medical insurance to cover for the County not having a county hospital. My hospital has to cover the cost for the County to see their patients, which their patients don't pay enough to cover the reimbursements and I am taxed for it from my insurance company.
This is not necessarily a tax "cut" its simply keeping fire-prevention improvements excluded from an increase in property taxes.