The West Coast Lumber & Building Material Association has endorsed three candidates for the California Board of Equalization for 2014. Contributions to the campaigns of each of them have also been made. Below are statements from each of the candidates.

DISTRICT 2 – Fiona Ma (D)

As your Board of Equalization Member, I will work to create jobs and invigorate our economy. I first became interested in public service as a small business owner and a Certified Public Accountant advocating on behalf of local businesses. More than 20 years later, I am taking my work ethic and practical, proven track record to the Board of Equalization to fight for California taxpayers.

Each year, California fails to collect eight billion dollars from the underground economy. This lack of revenue hurts hard-working Californians by shortchanging vital public service programs and hindering our economic recovery. I will put to use my years of auditing companies and my understanding of how to read and interpret financial statements to knock out fraud and the under reporting of taxes that costs California billions.

I served as a Commissioner on our local Assessment Appeals Board and heard property tax appeals, got elected as a San Francisco Supervisor, and, as a member of the California State Assembly, I authored many tax related bills to help
businesses thrive and keep California competitive with other states.

I earned a B.S. in Accounting, M.S. in Taxation, and an MBA and have been licensed in California as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) since 1992. My goal is to help working families thrive in our golden state by ensuring that California has a fair and efficient tax collection system.

I would be honored to have your vote on June 3, 2014. Thank you.