Assembly approves Berg's tax-relief bill
The state Assembly unanimously approved Assemblymember Patty Berg's tax-relief bill for residents and local governments hardest hit by the storms that inundated Northern California late last year.
"This is not a partisan issue, and it¹s not a geographic issue," said Berg (D-Eureka). "Members from north and south, Democrats and Republicans, all believe that the state must offer what help it can after a disaster."
The bill, approved 80-0 Tuesday, would add the so-called New Year's storms to a list of disasters that qualify for state aid.
According to a Berg news release, between Dec. 17 and Jan. 3, a series of powerful storms pounded the northern half of the state, bringing destructive winds and dumping enough water to saturate hillsides and overflow streams and rivers. Hundreds of people were forced from their homes, with more than a half million going for days without power. The storm damaged roads and bridges, schools and businesses. Three people lost their lives.
Berg said AB 1798 ensures that residents can continue to receive residential tax credits even if they have to abandon their homes. It also requires the state to reimburse counties for lost revenue when property owners can no longer pay their tax bills, and gives tax flexibility to businesses damaged by the storms.
The bill provides relief to the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma and Trinity. Those counties were declared disaster areas in separate declarations by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and President George Bush.
The bill still needs the approval of the state Senate before it can be sent to the governor.
"I fully expect this relief will be signed into law," Berg said.
# # #