Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) will be promoted to the rank of Commander (O-5) in the United States Navy (Reserve Component) at a ceremony on Friday, June 20 just outside Naval Base Ventura County. Commander-select Gorell, an intelligence officer and third-generation navy veteran, was selected for promotion last year by the Navy’s annual Commander (O-5) promotion board.

Cmdr. Gorell’s military service was previously highlighted in 2011 when he became the first sitting member of the California State Legislature to be called to active military service since World War II. Half of his first two-year term was spent on an unpaid leave of absence from the legislature while he was embedded as a targeting officer with the U.S. Marines at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan. He earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for leadership in a combat zone.

The ceremony will occur at the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum at Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme, and will be officiated by senior Navy officers in his chain of command.

What: U.S. Navy Promotion Ceremony for Commander Jeff Gorell

When: Friday, June 20, 2014
12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. Brief ceremony, followed by luncheon

Who: Jeff Gorell, family, community members, Navy leadership

Where: U.S. Navy Seabee Museum at Naval Base Ventura County
1001 Addor Street, Port Hueneme, California

Assemblyman Jeff Gorell has completed two one-year tours to the Middle East and Afghanistan and was decorated for his leadership in a combat zone. In 2002, Gorell led a combat camera team in Bagram, Afghanistan; and from 2011-2012, he commanded a targeting cell embedded with the U.S. Marines in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Gorell is the grandson of a Navy Seabee who fought in the Pacific during World War II, and the son of a career naval officer and Vietnam veteran.

Since 2009, Commander Gorell has served as executive officer of NR STRATCOM JFCC SPACE, a reserve unit that supports military joint space operations.

 


 

SACRAMENTO – Board of Equalization Member George Runner will host a telephone townhall for California’s manufacturers on Tuesday, July 1 at 10:00 a.m. The free event, co-hosted by the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, will provide information on tax issues specific to the manufacturing industry, including the new manufacturing sales tax exemption that takes effect July 1, 2014.

“The manufacturing sector employs more than one million Californians and adds more than $200 billion to our economy every year,” said Runner. “My goal is to help manufacturers understand California’s complicated tax laws and ensure they are aware of the valuable new tax incentive available to them.”

Those wishing to participate may register online at www.boe.ca.gov/townhall or by calling 916-445-3032.

Individuals who pre-register will receive a telephone call at the start of the event inviting them to connect to the townhall. During the event, callers will have an opportunity to ask questions.

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

 


 
CLU professor’s research published in SAGE Open

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - The citizen-designed redistricting plan for the Ventura County supervisorial districts has brought fairer representation, according to a study by a California Lutheran University professor published June 19 by SAGE Open, an open-access journal by SAGE Publications.

Gregory Freeland, chairman of the Department of Political Science, compared Ventura County supervisors’ decisions to their constituents’ votes on state propositions and local measures and interviewed politicians and community activists to draw conclusions that could have implications for other redistricting efforts.

The 2000 census showed that representation for different cities on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors did not reflect changes in population. Rather than relying on political staffs and consultants to redraw supervisorial districts to make the electoral process more representative, the board in an unusual move delegated the job to a citizen task force. Supervisors approved the new districts in 2001.
Freeland’s report, “Community Members Draw the Line: Redistricting by a Ventura County Task Force,” shows that supervisors were elected or re-elected to office based on their responsiveness to their constituents’ concerns after the plan went into effect. Most of the incumbent supervisors were re-elected, but a notable defeat occurred in the predominantly Latino District 5 covering most of Oxnard, where previously unbeatable John Flynn lost to John Zaragoza in 2008. In addition, the district’s voter turnout has improved and nonprofit leaders and activists report increased responsiveness from officials since the redistricting.

The addition of the Ojai Valley strengthened an already solid base of support for environmental protections and liberal social policies in District 1, which also includes Ventura, according to Freeland. Environmentalist Steve Bennett won 76 percent of the vote in 2004 and ran unopposed four years later.

According to Freeland’s research, supervisors’ stands on issues such as environmental policy, education and campaign finance generally aligned with the opinions of the majority of the residents of their districts. For instance, a proposition dealing with clean water and air and coastal protection passed 61 to 39 percent in Bennett’s district in 2002. The proposition failed only in District 4, which includes Simi Valley and Moorpark and is represented by Peter Foy, who voted against a bill by Bennett to allow homeowners to borrow money from the county to invest in environmentally friendly energy systems.

SAGE Open can be found online at http://sgo.sagepub.com/latest.

 

SACRAMENTO – George Runner today issued the following statement in response to the Legislature’s approval of an on-time budget:

“Legislators can congratulate themselves on approving an on-time budget. Although this budget contains large spending increases, thankfully it does not raise taxes.

“What’s missing is the broad-based tax relief we need to spur jobs and stimulate growth across our entire economy.

“In addition, the Legislature missed yet another opportunity to defund the bullet train and eliminate the fire tax.

“The Governor should wield his veto pen aggressively to trim wasteful spending. We can and should do more to pay down debt and bolster our rainy day fund.”

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

 

SACRAMENTO – In the wake of the Budget Conference Committee voting Thursday to reject the restoration of Medi-Cal provider rates, Assembly Budget Committee Vice-Chair Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) and Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway (R-Tulare) today sent a letter to Governor Jerry Brown, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Speaker Toni Atkins urging them to reconsider this action and restore efforts to raise reimbursement rates.

“The shortage of doctors that our state currently faces will have a devastating effect for Medi-Cal patients,” stated Assemblyman Gorell. “With many doctors already choosing not to accept Medi-Cal patients, this decision will result in even fewer health care options for low income California families.”

“At the end of the day, it is irresponsible to jeopardize California’s health care system by rejecting the provider rate restoration,” stated Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway. “Reverse this penny wise and pound foolish decision, and instead work with us across party lines to restore the Medi-Cal provider rate within the over $10 billion in new funding.”

The refusal to raise the Medi-Cal provider reimbursement rate is considered surprising since both the Senate and the Assembly had previously proposed restoration of the provider rate, and there has been bipartisan support for the restoration. The Senate proposed restoring the Medi-Cal provider-rate reduction prospectively for most providers starting July 1, 2014. The Assembly proposed to forgive retroactive payment reductions starting July 1, 2014, and eliminate the rate reduction for all providers starting April 1, 2015.

 

Sacramento, CA – Assembly Budget Vice-Chair Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) today voted against a state budget proposed by Governor Brown and legislative Democrats which increases state spending to a record level, undercuts local control of schools, and contains a number of legally questionable practices including the use of cap and trade funds to pay for high speed rail and locking in long-term spending increases.

“We had a real opportunity this year to create a state budget which embodies the lessons we learned during this past recession,” stated Assemblyman Gorell. “However, while we made some progress in agreeing to a stronger California Rainy Day fund, the majority party has failed to make education our greatest priority, and continues to waste our limited funds irresponsibly on high speed rail and entitlement programs.”

While the final budget relies on the Governor’s more realistic revenue estimates, total spending will grow by $12 billion to a record $108 billion. The budget regrettably sets the state up for significant future spending obligations, such as the proposal to increase welfare grants by five percent starting next year. It also spends money on pet projects, such as $2.7 million for a new swimming pool in Calexico and $2.5 million to remodel the old Governor’s Mansion.

On K-12 education, the Democrat budget will cap school district reserves – which could push many districts into bankruptcy and make it less likely that those students in low-performing schools will learn from a quality teacher. In 2009, school districts that had strong reserves were able to avoid devastating cuts. With their reserves now limited by this budget, they may not have enough money to stave off cuts in future economic downturns.

The budget also fails to fulfill the promise of Proposition 30, which California voters approved in 2012 to protect education. The budget uses the higher taxes from Proposition 30 that would have gone to higher education to fund social services instead. Furthermore, the budget rejects a bipartisan request to increase funding for the California State University by $95 million.

 

Sacramento, CA – Citing the past decade of recurring tuition and fee increases in the CSU and UC systems that have increasingly pushed the costs of a college education out of reach of disadvantaged students, Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) today announced his disappointment over the continued underfunding of the California State University budget after the bicameral budget conference committee voted tonight 6-2 to abandon efforts to augment appropriations to the California State University system.

“In adopting Proposition 30, California’s voters were promised that this massive tax increase would go to public education including reinvestment in our public universities,” stated Assemblyman Gorell. “The California State Universities are the pillars of our state’s economy and culture. Moreover, education provides our next generation with the opportunity to achieve personal and professional goals, and those opportunities provided by our institutions of higher learning are often the way by which our underprivileged youth can escape a cycle of hardship and greatly improve their lives.”

Assemblyman Gorell circulated a bipartisan letter to express support to the Governor and legislative leadership advocating an increase of $95 million over Governor Brown’s level of funding sought by the CSU system to increase access. The letter was signed by 33 members of the legislature.

“The vitality of our state’s economy comes from our ability to produce highly educated workers from a world-class public university system. By not properly funding higher education, we are undermining our future.”

Half of California’s new teachers come from the CSU system, along with half of our engineering graduates. In high demand career fields such as agriculture, criminal justice, public administration and business the California State University system awards more Bachelor’s degrees than all other universities in the state combined.

A study by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) in 2012 found that during the recession the UC and CSU enrollment rates have fallen by one fifth, pinning the blame firmly on the increased tuition and fees at these campuses caused by the state’s underfunding of higher education. The PPIC study additionally projected that California will end up falling one million college graduates short of the state’s economic needs by 2025 unless these enrollment and graduation rates improve.

 

Camarillo, CA - Veteran of the War in Afghanistan and 26th Congressional District Candidate Jeff Gorell today called for bi-partisan action to end disgraceful bureaucratic incompetence that has cost the lives of at least 40 military veterans at VA medical facilities.

"America's veterans deserve better treatment than they are receiving from the VA and this Administration. That's why I strongly support the legislation being proposed by House Veterans Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (R-Florida) which will guarantee that any Veteran who has to wait more than 30 days for an appointment at a VA clinic or hospital can seek outside care at the department's expense," stated Gorell.

"I call upon Julia Brownley to join me in supporting this common sense proposal to give our Veterans the quality medical treatment that they have earned," continued Gorell. "It's time for action, not empty rhetoric to get this issue resolved."

 

SACRAMENTO – A George Runner-sponsored proposal to protect California’s disabled veterans cleared the Senate this week with unanimous, bipartisan support. Senate Bill 1113, authored by Senator Steve Knight (R-Antelope Valley), would help ensure that disabled veterans who encounter bureaucratic delays can still claim a key property tax exemption.

“Disabled veterans should not miss out on tax benefits to which they are entitled just because the federal government, for whatever reason, is unable to give them their 100% disability rating in a timely manner,” said Runner.

Under California law, veterans who receive a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may be eligible for a property tax exemption on the value of their home up to $124,932 or $187,399 in 2014 and equivalent amounts adjusted for inflation in future years. The exemption starts on the date of disability and disabled veterans may claim a refund for up to four years of back taxes paid.

Unfortunately, due to VA backlogs, some veterans have had to wait more than four years to receive their disability rating certifications. As a result, they’ve missed out on thousands of dollars in property tax refunds to which they were entitled and anticipated receiving.

SB 1113 would increase the availability of refunds on taxes previously paid from four years to eight years, allowing veterans to receive the full benefit of their exemption, even if the rating process takes more than four years to complete.

“Veterans who are disabled as a direct result of serving our country shouldn’t be penalized for delays over which they have no control,” said Knight. “I commend my colleagues for backing SB 1113 to ensure disabled veterans have access to the tax benefits they deserve.”

The full Board of Equalization voted to support SB 1113 at its March 25 meeting, and the measure has also received support from the California Assessors’ Association, California Taxpayers Association, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and a broad coalition of veterans’ organizations.

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

 

Sacramento, CA – Legislation giving California’s military bases the ability to invest in cleaner renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power was approved today on the Assembly floor in a bipartisan vote. Assembly Bill 2649, co-authored by Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) will allow military bases to surpass the current one megawatt limit for uploading excess electricity from renewable sources to state’s utility grid. The one megawatt limit has been cited as a major reason preventing California military bases from investing in renewable energy.

“The current 1 megawatt limit for renewable energy generation on military bases makes it difficult for California bases to compete with bases in states like Hawaii, Arizona, Colorado and Texas, which do not have these caps,” stated Assemblyman Gorell. “This competitive disadvantage is a very important factor as we face a potential BRAC round in 2017, where bases will be evaluated for potential closure. This bill allows our bases throughout California to embrace new technology as global leaders and become more competitive.”

“Additionally, AB 2649 will create good job opportunities at military bases, developing and installing green energy. This bill is good for our economy, good for the environment, and good for the military.”

In current California law, military bases are considered a “single location or premises”, limiting their ability to generate renewable energy like solar and wind power to only 1 megawatt, a small fraction of the actual power needs of a modern military base.

 

Jeff Gorell, candidate for Congress (CA-26), will be hosting an election night results party at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, June 3 at the Gorell Campaign headquarters.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 3
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

WHERE: Gorell Campaign Headquarters
1305 Del Norte Road, Suite 105
Camarillo, CA 93010

For more information, please contact the campaign at (805) 910-7121 or visit www.jeffgorell.org.

 

"As a proud third generation war veteran and member of the Naval Reserve, I am appalled by the daily stories coming out of the Veterans Administration. To treat those who have given so much to protect our freedom so poorly - with such little humanity and even basic consideration is wholly unacceptable. The President should immediately relieve Secretary Shinseki of his duties and begin the process of repairing what is so clearly a broken system and apologize to the millions of veterans who rely on the VA for their basic medical service. They earned our gratitude and they earned the right to the best care we can provide. Right now we're giving them neither, and that is both shameful and unacceptable."

 
Calls on Governor to Back New Headquarters for Tax Board

SACRAMENTO – George Runner today released security camera footage [view video] showing a pedestrian nearly struck by falling glass in a January 2012 incident at the Board of Equalization’s downtown Sacramento high-rise.

“As the video shows, this building is a safety risk for both state workers and the public,” said Runner. “In addition to falling glass, we’ve experienced toxic mold, leaking sewage pipes, methane gas, water leaks and more. It will cost millions more to address these problems, and it’s impossible to do so expeditiously while the building is occupied.”

Runner also called on Governor Jerry Brown to back an effort to move the Board of Equalization out of its problem-plagued headquarters in downtown Sacramento.

“The state has been wasting millions of taxpayer dollars throwing good money at a bad building,” said Runner. “It’s time for the Governor to finally solve this problem by moving everyone out of that building to a new location.”

Located in Runner’s district, the 24-story headquarters building at 450 N Street is designed to house 2,200 employees, while BOE requires space for 3,150 employees in order to carry out the legislative mandates for revenue administration, collection and enforcement efforts. To address these overcrowding concerns, approximately 700 employees and more than one million taxpayer records have been relocated to four annex facilities, disjointing staff, disrupting business functions and increasing operational costs.

Additionally, since moving into the building in 1993, the state has spent approximately $59 million on remediation and modernization costs—an unusually high amount for a building of its age. Unfortunately, the state could be forced to spend in excess of $40 million over the next few years to address outstanding projects including the replacement of 2,070 spandrel glass panels ($7M), the replacement of waste water pipes ($10M), and the cleaning of mold from HVAC ducts.

Runner is supporting legislation (AB 1656) by Assemblyman Roger Dickinson to authorize a new consolidated Board of Equalization headquarters. Runner co-authored a similar measure (AB 151) in 2010 that was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger due to the state’s fiscal condition at the time.

A Runner-backed state audit is in progress and aims to determine the best approach to address problems with the Board of Equalization’s headquarters. A report is expected by the fall.

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

 
(l-r) Gabe Gardner, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist in Volleyball; Assemblyman Jeff Gorell; Starr Walton Hurley, 1960 Winter Olympian; Stephanie Brown Trafton, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist in Track and Field.
(l-r) Gabe Gardner, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist in Volleyball; Assemblyman Jeff Gorell; Starr Walton Hurley, 1960 Winter Olympian; Stephanie Brown Trafton, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist in Track and Field.
Enlarge Photo

Sacramento, CA – Legislation to exempt gold, silver, and bronze Olympic medalists from paying taxes on those achievements today passed out of the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee on a bipartisan vote. Assembly Bill 2323 by Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) would exempt California Olympians and Paralympians from state taxes on awards by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) for their success in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The exemption does not include sponsorship deals and other endorsement income.

“Most countries compensate their Olympic athletes, but athletes representing the United States do so typically without reward unless they win a medal,” stated Assemblyman Jeff Gorell. “Upon being welcomed home these athletes who wear the red white and blue Olympic uniform of the United States are then subject to federal and state taxes on their achievements. This is wrong.”

“As an athlete who has dedicated my life to the Olympics, I’m very aware of the financial struggles that fellow athletes face to become Olympians,” stated Stephanie Brown Trafton, Olympic gold medalist in track and field. “I’ve been in three Olympics representing 20 years of dedication for my country. We pay a financial price, time spent away from our families, and the reward we receive represents only a small fraction of the work that is put into competing.”

In addition to the physical medal earned by Olympic and Paralympic athletes finishing first, second, or third in their respective events, the USOC, which receives no regular government funding, provides honoraria to medaling athletes. Athletes are generally awarded $25,000 for a gold medal, $15,000 for silver, and $10,000 for bronze. This amount, in addition to the value of the medal itself, is fully taxable. In 2012, some bronze medalists were levied a tax of $3,500, silver medalists a tax of $5,385, and gold medalists a tax of $8,986.

Most American Olympians and Paralympians are amateur athletes with modest incomes, earning nothing for Olympic and Paralympic competition. For instance, only half of the country’s track and field athletes ranked in the top ten in the nation make more than $15,000 a year from the sport. This bill will provide tax relief to California’s medalists, many of whom have made enormous sacrifices in pursuit of Olympic success.

 

SACRAMENTO – George Runner today issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s proposed budget revision:

“The Governor is on the right track in proposing a budget that has no new taxes, contains ongoing expenses, pays down debt and begins to address the state’s growing pension costs.

“I just wish the Governor would repeal the fire tax and stop the bullet train.

“In addition, California continues to rank as the worst state to do business in an annual survey of business leaders.

“The next test for the Governor will be how he deals with legislators who want to raise taxes and spend billions more. Will he hold the line?”

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

 
Ventura County Pet Adoption Drive Finds Homes for 100 Shelter Pets in Just 5 Days

Camarillo, CA – Working with Ventura County Animal Services and the Humane Society of the United States, Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) today announced that they were able to find permanent homes for 100 shelter pets to reduce critical overcrowding in Ventura County shelters in Camarillo and Simi Valley.

“Assemblymember Gorell took this from idea to execution to success in just a week,” said Jennifer Fearing, California senior state director for The Humane Society of the United States. “What a wonderful experience to all pull in the same direction to save the lives of so many homeless animals in Ventura County.”

Last week Assemblyman Gorell announced that he would cover the adoption fees for the next 100 pets adopted from the shelter. The program was met with overwhelming response. A caring community poured its heart out and all 100 pets were adopted in less than 5 days.

“Partnering with advocates and my local shelter to save these 100 animals was one of the most heartwarming experiences I have had since I was elected to the Legislature,” stated Assemblyman Gorell. “I salute the community for stepping up and adopting these pets. It’s been a joy to help Ventura County Animal Services reduce the critical overcrowding in their local facilities.”

Assemblyman Gorell also encourages everyone to support Assembly Bill 2326, which will allow people to receive a state income tax deduction for pet adoption fees.

 

Camarillo, CA – Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) will be joining representatives from The Humane Society of the United States at the Ventura County Animal Shelter in Camarillo to promote the adoption of animals from the shelter. Assemblyman Gorell will be live tweeting and posting to Facebook with photos and information about the great pets currently available for adoption.

Assemblyman Gorell has also joined with The Humane Society of the United States to cover all adoption fees for the first 100 people to adopt pets from the Ventura County Animal Shelter.

The adoption drive will be followed on Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #Gorell100.

Assemblyman Gorell’s official Facebook page can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/jgorell and his Twitter username is: @JeffGorell

Help us save some animals by making one part of your family today, and do so Fee-Free!

When: Thursday, May 8, 2014
2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Who: Assemblyman Jeff Gorell

Where: Ventura County Animal Shelter
600 Aviation Drive
Camarillo CA 93012

The Ventura County Star recently reported recently that the Ventura County Animal Shelters are nearly at capacity, and usually expect a greater number of incoming animals during the spring months.

 

Assemblyman Jeff Gorell will be joining local community groups for “Helping Hands: A Day of Community Service” this Saturday, April 26th. The event brings together community service organizations, churches, civic groups and other community partners to help restore and beautify California.

Assemblyman Gorell will be speaking to the group and participating in the Stage Coach Inn Fire Hazard Project in Newbury Park, where 100 volunteers will be working in conjunction with the Conejo Valley Historical Society to clear a section of overgrown waterway on the grounds that presents a fire hazard to the Museum. Volunteers will clear wood and brush into large waste bins.

Long pants and sleeves recommended. Volunteers are to meet at the chapel on 1600 Erbes Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA for instructions and directions no later than 7:30AM. Many hands make labor light! All volunteers welcome. Come protect and preserve a little piece of our local history!

This annual event began in 1998, when leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asked local South American Church leaders to reach out to their communities through service. Responding to the call, leaders set out to establish an annual Day of Service. Today, similar Mormon Helping Hands “Day of Service” projects are organized in every corner of the globe. Hundreds of thousands of members and friends of the Church participate.

 

SACRAMENTO, CA – A George Runner proposal to protect California’s disabled veterans won backing from a key legislative panel today, when the Senate Governance and Finance Committee voted 7-0 to back SB 1113. The measure, authored by Senator Steve Knight (R-Antelope Valley), would help ensure that disabled veterans who encounter bureaucratic delays can still claim a key property tax exemption.

“Disabled veterans should not miss out on tax benefits to which they are entitled just because the federal government, for whatever reason, is unable to give them their 100% disability rating in a timely manner,” said Runner. [View video of Runner testimony]

Under California law, veterans who receive a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may be eligible for a property tax exemption on the value of their home up to $124,932 or $187,399 in 2014 and equivalent amounts adjusted for inflation in future years. The exemption starts on the date of disability and disabled veterans may claim a refund for up to four years of back taxes paid.

Unfortunately, due to VA backlogs, some veterans have had to wait more than four years to receive their disability rating certifications. As a result, they’ve missed out on thousands of dollars in property tax refunds to which they were entitled and anticipated receiving.

SB 1113 would increase the availability of refunds on taxes previously paid from four years to eight years, allowing veterans to receive the full benefit of their exemption, even if the rating process takes more than four years to complete.

“Veterans who are disabled as a direct result of serving our country shouldn’t be penalized for delays over which they have no control,” said Knight. “I commend my colleagues for backing SB 1113 to ensure disabled veterans have access to the tax benefits they deserve.”

The measure also won unanimous support from the Senate Veterans Committee at its April 8 hearing. In addition, the full Board of Equalization voted to sponsor SB 1113 at its March 25 meeting, and the measure has also received support from the California Assessors’ Association, California Taxpayers Association and Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

 

Assemblyman Jeff Gorell will be continuing his series of “Sidewalk Office Hours” where he looks forward to meeting with constituents and discussing their concerns. Informational material will be provided and a constituent affairs representative will be available to address specific concerns about working with state and local agencies.

The next public event will be on Friday, May 2nd in Moorpark inside of the Grinder Restaurant on West Los Angeles Avenue from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Please come by and share your opinions and ideas with Assemblyman Jeff Gorell in person at:

Grinder Restaurant
1 West Los Angeles Avenue
Moorpark, CA 91321

Grinder Restaurant is located near the corner of West Los Angeles Avenue and Moorpark Avenue in the city of Moorpark. For complete directions you can visit GoogleMaps at: http://g.co/maps/u73cq

For additional information, please call Jeff's district office at (805) 482-1904.