Our View: Some names to watch for Nov. 2

State Board Of Equalization

Sen. George Runner, R-Antelope Valley, says his chief opponent is “an attorney for the Franchise Tax Board who goes after taxpayers,” and that’s really not a bad way to put it.

The Democratic nominee for the open position on the State Board of Equalization, Chris Parker, is a Franchise Tax Board attorney who has seen all sorts of scoundrels get away with all manner of tax-dodging schemes.

Parker is tired of it, and he thinks that if the state’s three taxing agencies — the tax board, the Board of Equalization and the Employment Development Department — would communicate more effectively with each other, they could close the noose on tax dodgers and collect as much as $8 billion in overdue taxes.

We think there is merit to the argument, but it’s way too little and far too late for that. We think there is a much better way to accomplish the goal. Eliminate the darned thing.

We’re not kidding. Rolling together the state’s separate taxing authorities (including the fee-collecting arm of the DMV) was a key point in the governor’s 2004 plan to overhaul California’s governmental systems.

Doing so would close the loopholes on tax dodgers and eliminate hundreds of duplicative functions.

Of course, it would mean cutting the state’s payroll, and that is why Schwarzenegger’s plan died a certain and immediate death. It ran afoul with a job-sheltering Legislature and entrenched bureaucrats such as Parker who would lose their cushy positions.

Maybe that’s why Parker seems upset that Runner is poised to ascend to the position he covets, where Runner can work from the inside to achieve the type of reform California needs.

After all, it was Runner who carried the bill to eliminate the Franchise Tax Board in the first place.

Santa Clarita Valley residents know George Runner well. He has been a fine representative of our community, both in the Assembly and state Senate. Along the way, he has fought for California on two separate fronts.

The crime-fighting front has gotten him the most ink over the years. Runner was the political architect of the California Amber Alert, the state’s child abduction notification system. Then in 2006, with his wife, Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, he wrote Jessica’s Law, which gave communities such as Santa Clarita the right to keep sex offenders away from our children.

Meanwhile, he has been an ardent tax fighter, pushing legislation to keep businesses from fleeing the state and taking jobs away with them.

As the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association said in its endorsement of Runner this year, “Not only has he received the highest marks on our report card; his knowledge of the state budget and tax policy makes him the ideal candidate for a seat on the California Board of Equalization.”

Runner is the type of public servant who gives politicians a good name — and that is the rarest of rarities. We are proud to endorse him for Board of Equalization.

“It’s an honor to have the endorsement and faith of Supervisors DeMartini and Murrison,” Runner said. “I look forward to working with them – and other community leaders – to solve economic problems and lessen the tax burdens faced by small businesses.”

Runner has earned the endorsement of the prominent Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. This endorsement, combined with an advantage in fundraising, a large base of support in the most highly populated part of the district, and an aggressive slate mail program, makes Runner the favorite in the June Republican primary.

Senator Runner is running for BOE District 2, the largest of four districts that comprise California’s statewide tax board. The district encompasses all or portions of 34 counties that span the California-Oregon border to San Bernardino County.

George Runner currently represents a large southern portion of BOE District 2 in the State Senate. He authored California’s Amber Alert system and Jessica’s Law in 2006. He lives in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of Jerry Dyer, long-time Fresno Police Chief and an incredibly dedicated public safety official,” said Runner. “Jerry knows the hardships that have been created for police departments as a result of the state’s raiding of local funds. I am grateful for his support in my attempt to serve as taxpayer advocate for public safety departments throughout the district.”

Senator Runner is running for BOE District 2, the largest of four districts that comprise California’s statewide tax board. The district encompasses all or portions of 34 counties that span from the California-Oregon border to San Bernardino County.

Runner is currently leading in fundraising and the number of slate mail pieces and has the coveted endorsement of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. He also currently represents the voter heavy southern portion of BOE District 2 in the State Senate. Runner authored California’s Amber Alert system and Jessica’s Law in 2006. He lives in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner.

Runner expressed gratitude for Scott’s endorsement, saying, “It’s an honor to have the endorsement of McGregor Scott, a revered member of our legal system. I am grateful to have his support in my effort to advocate for relief of California’s overburdened taxpayers as a Board of Equalization member.”

As U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California from 2003 to 2009, Scott ran an office of approximately 75 lawyers who represented the government in both criminal and civil matters in the federal courts in Sacramento and Fresno. Scott’s office prosecuted a number of high-profile cases including the “Lodi terror case” that resulted in a guilty verdict for material support to terrorists. From 1997 to 2003, Scott served as District Attorney of Shasta County, where he was elected twice. Scott left the U.S. Attorney post in 2003 to join Orrick law firm in Sacramento, where he is currently a member of the Litigation Group.

Runner recently received the endorsement of the prominent Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. This endorsement, combined with an advantage in fundraising, a large base of support in the most highly populated part of the district, and an aggressive slate mail program, makes Runner the favorite in the June Republican primary.

Senator Runner is running for BOE District 2, the largest of four districts that comprise California’s statewide tax board. The district encompasses all or portions of 34 counties that span from the California-Oregon border to San Bernardino County.

George Runner currently represents a large southern portion of BOE District 2 in the State Senate. He authored California’s Amber Alert system and Jessica’s Law in 2006. He lives in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner.

“Governor Wilson represents the hard work and fiscal discipline that we desperately need in California,” said Runner. “Bill Simon is a strict conservative Republican who advocates for limited government and free market enterprise.”

“These men are both great champions of Republican principles and I am grateful for their confidence in my ability to bring California taxpayers the economic relief they are aching for.”

Earning the support of both Governor Wilson and Bill Simon shows that Runner has gained the confidence of Republican leaders across the state in the race for BOE.

When entering office, Wilson inherited California’s worst economy since the Great Depression. Insisting on strict budget discipline, Wilson revived the state’s business environment and left office with a $16 billion budget surplus. Also heralded for his tough stance on crime, Wilson signed California’s “Three Strikes” into law during his tenure.

Businessman Bill Simon is a well-known conservative Republican and served as Director of Policy for the Rudy Giuliani presidential exploratory committee in 2007. In 2004, Simon ran unsuccessfully against Gray Davis, losing the election by less than 5 percentage points. Davis was recalled two years later and replaced by the electorate with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Runner recently received the endorsement of the prominent Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. This endorsement, combined with an advantage in fundraising, a large base of support in the most highly populated part of the district, and an aggressive slate mail program make Runner the favorite in the June Republican primary.

Senator Runner is running for BOE District 2, the largest of four districts that comprise California’s statewide tax board. The district encompasses all or portions of 34 counties that span from the California-Oregon border to San Bernardino County.

George Runner currently represents a large southern portion of BOE District 2 in the State Senate. He authored California’s Amber Alert system and Jessica’s Law in 2006. He lives in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner.

“I am honored to have earned the support and confidence of the distinguished delegates of the California Republican Assembly,” Runner said. “I share with CRA an unwavering dedication to conservative values, which includes protecting taxpayers, supporting free enterprise and limiting government’s involvement in our lives.”

The CRA endorsement follows on the heels of Runner receiving the coveted endorsement of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association last month. Runner also earned the endorsement of former CRA presidents Mike Spence and Steve Frank, in addition to numerous local, state and national leaders who represent communities throughout the BOE 2nd District, which spans 34 counties from San Bernardino to Siskiyou.

Runner currently represents a large southern portion of BOE 2nd District in the State Senate. He authored California’s Amber Alert and Jessicaʼs Law. He lives in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner.

Chartered in 1934, The CRA is the state’s oldest and largest Republican volunteer organization. President Ronald Reagan called the California Republican Assembly: “The conscience of the Republican Party.”

“I am honored to have the endorsement of an organization that represents our state’s military men and women who have shown incredible dedication and bravery in serving our country,” Runner said. “I am grateful to the California Republican Veterans Association for their confidence in my ability to represent the interests of our state’s veterans on the Board of Equalization.”
 
This endorsement comes on the heels of the recently announced endorsement of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
 
Senator Runner is running for BOE District 2, the largest of four districts that comprise California’s statewide tax board. The district encompasses all or portions of 34 counties that span from the California-Oregon border to San Bernardino County.
 
George Runner currently represents a large southern portion of BOE District 2 in the State Senate. He authored the successful Amber Alert system and Jessica’s Law in 2006. He resides in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of such a large and distinguished law enforcement organization,” Runner said. “It’s been my pleasure to work with the hard-working men and women in law enforcement throughout my career on such landmark legislation as Amber Alert, Jessica’s Law and Blue Alert.”

With more than 790 member organizations, representing 60,000-plus officers, PORAC is the largest law enforcement association in the state and the largest statewide association in the United States. The organization plays a leadership role in organizing, empowering and representing the interests of rank-and-file peace officers.

This endorsement comes on the heels of the recently announced endorsement of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Senator Runner is running for BOE District 2, the largest of four districts that comprise California’s statewide tax board. The district encompasses all or portions of 34 counties that span from the California-Oregon border to San Bernardino County.

George Runner currently represents a large southern portion of BOE District 2 in the State Senate. He authored the successful Amber Alert system and Jessica’s Law in 2006. He resides in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner.

SACRAMENTO – Taxpayer advocate and Senator George Runner (RAntelope
Valley) today announced he has earned the enviable endorsement of
the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association for his Board of Equalization bid.

“For well over a decade, George Runner has been a great advocate for taxpayers
in both the Assembly and State Senate,” said Howard Jarvis Taxpayer
Association President Jon Coupal.

“Not only has he received the highest marks on our report card, his knowledge of
the state budget and tax policy makes him the ideal candidate for a seat on the
California Board of Equalization.”

Senator Runner is running for BOE District 2, the largest of four districts that
comprise Californiaʼs statewide tax board. The district encompasses all or
portions of 34 counties that span from the California-Oregon border to San
Bernardino County.

“I am honored to have earned the support and confidence of Howard Jarvis
Taxpayersʼ Association, Californiaʼs pre-eminent taxpayersʼ watchdog
organization,” Runner said.

George Runner currently represents a large southern portion of BOE District 2 in
the State Senate. He authored the successful Amber Alert system and Jessicaʼs
Law in 2006. He resides in Lancaster with his wife, former Assemblywoman
Sharon Runner.