Legislation to help those who lost their homes in South Lake Tahoe's Angora Fire has been signed into law by the Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In his ongoing efforts to help the people of Lake Tahoe, Senator Dave Cox pursued legislation to provide tax relief to residents who lost their homes and to fully reimburse the County of El Dorado for property taxes lost due to the fire. AB 62 (Nava), a joint effort with Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara), would qualify affected homeowners and the county for various forms of government assistance and tax relief. Effective immediately, the move will provide tax relief to residents who lost their homes and to fully reimburse the County of El Dorado for property taxes lost as a result of the fire. Sen. David Cox co-authored the measure, AB 62, with Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara).
“Victims of the Angora fire suffered many personal losses. Residents of Lake Tahoe are resilient in the quest to rebuild their lives,” said Senator Dave Cox. “ This measure provides much needed disaster relief for victims of the Angora Fire. “The Angora fire destroyed hundreds of homes and affected thousands of lives. After several visits to the area to see the devastation first hand, I went back to Sacramento and reached across the political aisle to find relief for Tahoe residents. I appreciate Assemblyman Pedro Nava and the Governor for their efforts,” Cox said in a release.
This proposed legislation will help property owners who have lost their homes by allowing for lower assessed property taxes . It will qualify affected homeowners and El Dorado County for various forms of government assistance and tax relief.
Specifically, AB 62 provides state reimbursements of local property tax losses to counties resulting from the downward property tax assessments of properties damaged by wildfires. This bill also allows the victims whose homes were damaged to continue to receive the homeowner’s property tax exemption while their homes are being repaired or rebuilt even if they cannot live on the property during that time. AB 62 allows taxpayers to deduct excess disaster losses not compensated for by insurance, for up to five years on income tax returns
“I am pleased to be working with Senator Cox. He has taken a lead role in protecting his constituents in Lake Tahoe and I applaud him for his efforts,” stated Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara)
Below is a list of major events relating to the disastrous Angora Fire:
- June 24th Angora Fire broke and burned over 3,100 acres, destroyed or severely damaged over 250 homes and left many residents homeless
- June 25th Acting Governor Garamendi declared El Dorado County a disaster area
- June 27th Senator Cox joined Governors Schwarzenegger and Gibbons on tour of disaster area
- June 29th Senator Cox requested Governors Schwarzenegger and Gibbons to create a joint California and Nevada Blue Ribbon Fire Commission via letter
- July 2nd Senator Cox accompanied Governor Schwarzenegger in declaring that Lake Tahoe was “open for business” prior to the busy July 4 th holiday at Camp Richardson
- July 5th Governors Schwarzenegger and Gibbons agreed with Senator Cox and called for the creation of a joint California-Nevada Basin Fire Commission
