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Category Archives: Races-2-Watch ’10

The State Board of Equalization: Justice in Exchange for Campaign Contributions? – Part Four
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The State Board of Equalization: Justice in Exchange for Campaign Contributions? – Part Four

This is the final installment in our four-part series on California’s State Board of Equalization (BOE).  The board is made up of four members, each representing a district of approximately 8 million people, and the state controller.  The four districts are divided so that there are two Republicans and two Democrats.  The State Controller is the deciding vote as to whether the board will be controlled by Democrats or Republicans. For the first time in . . .

State Board of Equalization and Tony Strickland – Part Three
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State Board of Equalization and Tony Strickland – Part Three

This is the third part of a four-part series highlighting 2010 races that will affect the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), the entity that oversees state tax policy and collections of more than $50 billion a year.  Senator Tony Strickland is the Republican nominee for State Controller.  The State Controller is the ex-officio member of the BOE, sits on the State Franchise Tax Board, CalPERS, CalSTRS and 72 other boards and commissions. The State . . .

State Board of Equalization and George Runner – Part Two
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State Board of Equalization and George Runner – Part Two

This is the second part of a four-part series highlighting California’s State Board of Equalization (BOE). As we mentioned in Part One, the BOE is the body that sets tax policy for the state. It oversees collection of more than $50 billion a year. It consists of four districts with each board member representing approximately eight million residents. The county of San Bernardino is divided in such a way that it includes two taxation districts. . . .

History in the Making
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History in the Making

In the world of politics, Fontana city councilwoman Acquanetta Warren is an exception to the rule.  She is an African-American woman who happens to also be a Republican and an elected officeholder.  If “Acqui,” as her friends know her, wins election as Fontana mayor on November 2, she will hold the distinction of being mayor of the largest city in the United States headed by an African-American Republican. Warren is seeking election as Fontana Mayor . . .

Road to the 63rd Assembly District
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Road to the 63rd Assembly District

Upland businessman Mike Morrell soon will be enjoying a new and challenging role in life.  After coming out on top in a seven-candidate battle for the Republican nomination for the 63rd Assembly District, Mike is cruising to a November win in a traditionally Republican seat. Throughout the primary, Morrell remained true to his belief system despite a vicious attack from another candidate.  He ran a positive, clean campaign that embraced all that the Republican Party . . .

State Board of Equalization and Michelle Steel
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State Board of Equalization and Michelle Steel

In 1879 an amendment to the Constitution of California created the State Board of Equalization (BOE) to ensure that property tax assessments, California’s main source of funding at the time, were uniform across all counties in the state. The impetus behind its creation was that county tax assessors, in order to remain popular with their constituency, were known to undervalue property. As new taxes were added in the 1930s, the BOE’s areas of authority grew . . .

Editorial: SB’s Tea Party Candidate
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Editorial: SB’s Tea Party Candidate

Tim Donnelly presented the California Republican Party with one of very few surprises this past June.  A recent convert to the Republican Party, the self-described political outsider topped five other candidates, including two current or former councilmen, to earn the Republican nomination for the 59th Assembly District.  Normally, that would not be considered such a feat except that Donnelly had no previous political experience and was outspent by a wide margin. The 59th Assembly District . . .