GAINES GAZETTE
November 2019
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Thanksgiving is a special holiday. It’s a time for us all to pause and reflect on how truly blessed we are. It’s a time of celebration, remembrance, and unity. We spend the day with family and friends and are reminded of God’s continual provision in our lives.
I am particularly thankful for the opportunity to serve as your taxpayer advocate on the State Board of Equalization. Thank you for entrusting me with this privilege.
Sending warm wishes from my home to yours. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Honoring Veterans and Military Families
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First declared in November 2016,
National Veterans and Military Families Month
gives us the chance to acknowledge the tremendous sacrifices made by America’s veterans and military families.
At this month’s Board meeting, my colleagues and I presented a
resolution
in r
ecognition of the vital contributions made by veterans and military families. Every day they show
strength, resilience, and courage and play a huge role in supporting America’s military men and women.
The California State Board of Equalization is committed to working with local County Assessors to raise awareness of the
Veterans’ Exemption
and
Disabled Veterans’ Exemption
to support veterans, their families, and caregivers to reduce their property tax liability.
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From left: Deputy Controller Yvette Stowers; Member Mike Schaefer; AMVETS Post 1 Commander David Lange; American Legion Post 119 member and Veterans Advocate Seth Reeb; Vice Chair Tony Vazquez; and Member Ted Gaines
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Annual Meeting with County Assessors
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My colleagues and I held our annual meeting with County Assessors on October 23 in Sacramento. Our main discussion centered on workforce planning issues since impending retirements of experienced staff combined with low numbers of new appraisers could have a negative impact on both the Assessors’ Offices and the BOE.
During the meeting, Chairwoman Malia Cohen thanked Calaveras County Assessor Leslie Davis for her service as Chairwoman of the
California Assessors’ Association
, and welcomed incoming Chairman Don Gaekle, Assessor for Stanislaus County.
Following the morning’s discussion, I enjoyed lunch with 21 of the 30 County Assessors located in my district and then toured my Sacramento office.
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From top left: Meeting with County Assessors in the BOE's Boardroom; Mariposa County Assessor Vince Kehoe, Ted Gaines, Nevada County Assessor Sue Horne, Placer County Assessor Kristen Spears, and Kings County Assessor Kristine Lee; Nevada County Assessor Sue Horne, Sacramento County Assessor Christina Wynn, and Shasta County Assessor Leslie Morgan; Merced County Assessor Barbara Levey, Plumas County Assessor Chuck Leonhardt, and Modoc County Assessor Kristen DePaul; Butte County Assessor Diane Brown and Amador County Assessor Jim Rooney; Fresno County Assessor Paul Dictos and El Dorado County Assessor Karl Weiland
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Property Tax Postponement Program
Applications Now Available!
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Applications for the 2019-20 tax year are now 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 $35,500 or less.
For more information, please visit my
Resources page.
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Meeting District 1 County Assessors
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I continue my quest to meet with all 30 of the County Assessors in my district.
Earlier this month I met with four assessors from rural counties and I learned more about what sets rural counties apart from urban counties when it comes to property tax administration. We talked in depth about the need for increased educational and training opportunities for current and future assessor staff and how the BOE can help.
Under its constitutional mandate, the BOE oversees the assessment practices of the state’s 58
county assessors.
I have enjoyed meeting with county assessors in the 1st District to learn about their needs and the ways I can better assist them as their BOE representative.
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Top left: Ted Gaines with Mariposa County Assessor Vince Kehoe; Siskiyou County Assessor Craig Kay; Lassen County Assessor Nick Ceaglio; and Modoc County Assessor Kristen DePaul
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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.
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November is National Diabetes Awareness Month
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Most people are familiar with type 2 diabetes but know little about type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas loses the ability to produce insulin—a hormone essential to digestion.
My wife, former Assemblywoman Beth Gaines, and I know firsthand the effect type 1 diabetes can have on families because one of our daughters developed the disease at age eight. Each year about 40,000 people are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The good news is that public awareness about both types of diabetes is increasing, which helps save lives by aiding in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of the disease.
The
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
(JDRF) is the leading organization funding type 1 diabetes research. To support this effort, they sponsor fundraising events annually including more than 200 walks. These community events create an extensive network of families, volunteers, and donors who are committed to finding a cure for this serious disease.
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Informational Hearing: December 6, 2019 in San Jose
Reminder: Property Taxes due on December 10, 2019
Monthly Board Meeting: December 17, 2019 in Sacramento
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