The new fee to fight fires in rural California is unfair, according to former state lawmaker George Runner, who now serves on the state board of equalization, which administers sales, gas, tobacco and other taxes in California.
He says each structure that can be lived in will face the fee to help fund Cal Fire. A granny unit on a property would spur a separate $150 charge. Runner adds that penalties for late payments would follow.
But Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant says the fee is fair and critical to fund firefighting.
The state is expected to begin sending notices about the fees in September.
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