Earlier this year, Jerry Brown was threatening to impose a $150 fee on all rural residents of the state in order to offset the costs of Cal Fire programs, which costs the state upwards of $23 million each year. People are complaining, however, especially the rich folk up in Marin, because they have to pay the fee even though Cal Fire doesn't do any work in their county, and they already pay local taxes for fire protection.
Also, they add, the fee isn't going to enhance fire protection services, it's just being imposed to fill a budget hole.
Brown wants the fee to generate $50 million in its first year, and $80 million in subsequent years, so it will more than cover Cal Fire's budget. And there's probably going to be a lawsuit or two over this. Just wait.
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