Wood tax slips through legislature
September 4, 2012
A new tax on lumber was passed by California lawmakers over the weekend with the full support of the timber industry. (Sacramento Bee)
The 1 percent increase proposal by Gov. Jerry Brown won approval by the barest of margins, 54-20, with only one Republican backing it. The bill includes provisions limiting wildfire liability for individuals and entities. Timber interests were comfortable with the proposal because it eliminates substantial regulatory fees the industry now shoulders.
The tax, applied to the consumer end of lumber sales within California, is expected to raise $30 million annually to pay for regulatory oversight, including the Department of Fish and Game’s timber harvest review program.
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