Sacramento – California State Board of Equalization (BOE) Member Fiona Ma, CPA issued the following statement on the passage of AB 102, the Taxpayer Transparency and Fairness Act of 2017:

“The Legislature took decisive action today by passing AB 102. For the past two years, I have been a leading figure calling for meaningful transparency, checks and balances, and other needed major organizational and structural reforms at the State Board of Equalization. As Chairwoman last year I called for three external audits, which are still forthcoming.

This agency should serve the public rather than serve the next person up the hierarchy ladder. The BOE is currently like a dysfunctional family. It needs a strong and clear leader who will assume fiscal accountability and ensure everyone plays by the same rules of good government. The new appeals process should save valuable time and resources - it's not acceptable taxpayers are waiting 10 years to have their appeals heard. Our employees and California taxpayers will be better served under the direct control and responsibility of the Governor and I look forward to assisting in the transition.”