The State of California is trying to make 800,000 rural homeowners pay up to $150 a year for fire protection that the state has been providing for free, in order to shore up the state budget. Gov. Jerry Brown has noted a population migration to "wildland areas," Loretta Kalb reports for The Sacramento Bee. "And state fire officials say the greater the number of homes in rural areas, the higher the cost of fighting fires."
Nevada County Supervisor Hank Westin told Kalb the fee is "a farce to fill a budget gap created by the state" and services would not be increased. "Westin said the program . . . doesn't distinguish between levels of risk within state responsibility areas." He said his fire district has "a strong fire protection program," with much clearing required. Residents of some fire districts won't pay the full $150 because they "already pay for fire protection from their local fire district," Kalb notes.
Rural legislators are trying to get the program repealed or changed. (Read more)
Nevada County Supervisor Hank Westin told Kalb the fee is "a farce to fill a budget gap created by the state" and services would not be increased. "Westin said the program . . . doesn't distinguish between levels of risk within state responsibility areas." He said his fire district has "a strong fire protection program," with much clearing required. Residents of some fire districts won't pay the full $150 because they "already pay for fire protection from their local fire district," Kalb notes.
Rural legislators are trying to get the program repealed or changed. (Read more)
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