GAINES GAZETTE

January 2023

I hope you are enjoying a fresh start to the new year! I look forward

to the challenges and opportunities that await as I enter my second term as your taxpayer advocate and Member of the Board of Equalization. I will continue working to make California a great place to live, work, and raise a family, and will keep you updated on the latest news and developments here at the BOE. May the new year bless you with peace, health, and happiness!

January Board Actions

On January 6, we were ceremonially sworn in as a new Board and got right to work during our monthly Board meeting. We elected Antonio Vazquez as Chairman and Member Sally Lieber as Vice Chair of the Board for 2023. We also received updates on BOE operations and discussed Board Member requested matters on training, workforce planning, and the Property Tax Abatement Board Work Group on Affordable Housing.

We are proud as a Board to meet our constitutional duties and remain committed to our mission to serve Californians through fair, effective, and efficient tax administration in support of state and local governments.

Governor Announces 2023-24 Budget Proposal

On January 10, Governor Newsom released his state budget proposal for the 2023-24 fiscal year that begins July 1.

Newsom has proposed a $297 billion budget, even though we have a $22.5 billion budget shortfall, with high interest rates and inflation, and the threat of a looming recession.

This is following years of historic budget surpluses and exactly the reason why you don’t go on a spending spree when times are good.

We need to refocus our priorities, show some fiscal discipline, and invest tax dollars in urgent issues that impact all Californians - like building Sites Reservoir and other water storage to prevent dangerous flooding while maintaining crucial water needs for Californians and agriculture; supporting critical infrastructure; improving our business climate; and allowing affordable energy production.

Our California State Constitution requires a balanced budget each year. Spending more than you take in is not balanced. The Governor and Legislature have until June 15 to balance the budget, and I look forward to learning more about the details of this proposal in the coming months.

The full budget summary is available here.

In the News...

Check out my latest opinion piece discussing the new U.S. Census Bureau data on California’s population migration, and how issues like taxation, regulation, and liberty play a role.

OTHER VIEWS: California Loses Population – Again

By Ted Gaines

January 24, 2023

Disaster Relief

A State of Emergency has been declared in all of California's 58 counties due to the severe winter storms. A series of atmospheric rivers brought high winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, fallen debris, downed trees, and widespread power outages. At least 20 people have died and tens of thousands were under evacuation orders. My heart breaks for those who have lost everything. If you’ve lost or seen your home damaged due to the storms, you may qualify for property tax relief and keep your Prop 13 base year value when your home is rebuilt in a similar manner.

Click here for more information.

Property Tax Postponement Program

Applications for the 2022-23 tax year are available for the State Controller’s Property Tax Postponement Program, which allows homeowners who are seniors, blind, or have a disability to defer current-year property taxes on their principal residence if they meet certain criteria including 40 percent equity in the home and an annual household income of $49,017 or less.

The filing deadline is February 10, 2023.

For more information, please visit my Resources page.

As a Board Member, my number one priority is to advocate for taxpayers. I believe hardworking Californians deserve to have someone working on their behalf to streamline and promote efficiency in state government.

Should you need assistance with tax-related problems or have questions, visit my website for information on how to contact my office or email me directly anytime.

Monthly Board Meeting: February 23-24, 2023

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