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Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) introduced the measure in December.
The bill was scheduled for a hearing Monday in the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation.
“This bill is necessary to make California more veteran friendly, and make it a more desirable place to call home upon retirement. We are off to a strong start this year in attempting to get this bill passed as the January budget includes funding for this proposal, and we have a lengthy list of 28 bipartisan co-authors. Military retirees often begin another career after retirement and contribute in many other ways to the state. AB 53 honors the many sacrifices of our armed forces personnel and their families,” Ramos said.
Armed forces service members are eligible to retire after 20 years and all states but California grant a partial or complete tax exemption on their federal pensions.
As of 2021, more than 132,000 retirees lived in California and received about $4.1 billion annually from the Department of the Defense, or DoD.
Additionally, more than 27,000 survivors residing in California received about $415 million annually.
Since 2013, the population of state retirees and survivors receiving pay from DoD has been steadily declining by 1% to 3% every year since 2013.
"On behalf of the California State Commanders Veterans Council, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Assemblymember Ramos for his tireless and multi-year efforts in advancing legislation to provide tax relief to military retirees. His dedication to this cause, spanning several legislative sessions, is truly commendable,” said Fred Green, Jr., LCDR, USN (Ret), Chair, California State Commanders Veterans Council.
“AB 53 is a crucial step toward making California more attractive to those who have served our nation, including military retirees and their families, particularly surviving spouses who often face significant financial challenges,’ Green continued. “We also appreciate Gov. Newsom's allocation of funds in the budget, marking a significant first step toward aligning California with other states that support military retirees. However, we recognize that more work is needed to retain and attract skilled veterans to our state. We invite the Governor and the Legislature to collaborate with us now and in future years to expand this tax relief framework, ensuring that California remains a welcoming home for those who have served our nation."
Ramos, who has introduced proposals for military retiree state tax exemptions three times in previous years, including during his chairmanship of the Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, was heartened by the governor’s willingness to include a pension tax exemption in this year’s state budget proposal.
Last year, Ramos’s bill was the first time the measure made it to the other house of the legislature’s fiscal committee.
“I’m not one to give up on something I think is important, and I am grateful to the governor for including this item in the upcoming year’s budget proposal. We are excited to work with him on this exemption for those who have served our country and that honors the many sacrifices of our armed services personnel and their families.”
AB 53 is jointly sponsored by the American Legion-Department of California, the Marine Corps League-Department of California, the California Association of County Veteran Service Officers, California Military Officers Association of America, the Enlisted Association of the California National Guard of the United States and the California State Commanders Veterans Council.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The crash occurred on Lakeshore Boulevard at Rainbow Road shortly before noon on Sunday, according to radio traffic and the California Highway Patrol’s online incident logs.
Reports from the scene said there were two vehicles involved, with a male unresponsive in one of them.
Firefighters worked to save the individual, who was determined to have died shortly afterward.
The Lakeport Fire chief handed over the scene to the CHP shortly after 12:15 p.m.
Additional information was not immediately available from the CHP on Sunday.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The meeting ID is 865 3354 4962, pass code 726865. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,86533544962#,,,,*726865#. The meeting can also be accessed via phone at 669 900 6833.
In timed items at the beginning of the meeting, the board will present proclamations designating the month of March 2025 as American Red Cross Month and Women's History Month, and designating March 18 to 24 as National Agriculture Week.
In an untimed item, the board will discuss Health Services Director Anthony Arton’s request for approval of a temporary Public Health officer appointment and professional services contract with Anju Goel, MD, MPH, for a term of six months for an amount not to exceed $49,860 for the term of the agreement.
“The current Public Health Officer, Noemi Doohan, MD, MPH, PhD, has resigned her position effective March 31, 2025,” Arton explained in his report.
The board appointed Doohan to the position in August 2023.
“Dr. Goel is very qualified for this role. She brings extensive experience as an Interim Health Officer in California and has served as an independent medical doctor for the CDC. Her deep expertise in public health makes her an ideal candidate to provide the necessary support,” Arton said. “After being declined by three potential contractors for reasons such as conflicting obligations, and potential reimbursement rates, and reaching out to two others via email with mixed responses, Dr. Goel was recommended to us.”
Goel will be paid at a base rate of $165 an hour.
Arton said appointing a contracted temporary Public Health officer “will ensure continuity and effectiveness” of Lake County Health Services’ operations and will avoid a lapse of coverage and services to our community.
“Without the appointment of a Public Health Officer, vital records and immunization services will be immediately impacted, among other services,” he wrote.
In another untimed item, the board will get an update from the Community Development Department on the accomplishments of the Cannabis Ordinance Task Force, which has been meeting since July 2022.
Community Development Director Mireya Turner said in her report that her staff has received “sufficient input” to draft the new cannabis regular ordinance and no longer needs to meet.
Just last week, the board had been set to consider adding new members to the task force when it was withdrawn, with no set time for it to return.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Adopt proclamation designating March 18-24, 2025, as National Agriculture Week in Lake County.
5.2: Adopt a proclamation designating the month of March 2025 as American Red Cross Month in Lake County.
5.3: Adopt proclamation designating March 2025 as Women's History Month in Lake County.
5.4: a) Accept donation from Linda K. Warren in the amount of $25,094.69; b) adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2024-99 to amend the adopted budget for FY 2024-2025 by appropriating unanticipated revenue and adding appropriations in Budget Unit 2711 – Animal Medical Clinic; and c) approve addition of washer and dryer in the amount of $25,094.69 to the FY 24/25 Capital Asset List.
5.5: Approve establishment of a panel for selection of hearing officer for AB 2275 certification review hearings.
5.6: Approve Board of Supervisors meeting minutes for Dec. 17, 2024, and Feb. 11, 2025.
5.7: Adopt resolution accepting the work of the 14C-0099 Bartlett Creek Bridge (Bartlett Springs Road) Replacement Project (Federal Project No. BRLO-5914(111)) and direct the public works director to file the notice of completion with the County Recorder’s Office.
5.8: Adopt resolution accepting the work of the 14C-0048 Cache Creek Bridge (Chalk Mountain Road) Replacement Project, Federal Project No. BRLO-5914(094), and direct the public works director to file the notice of completion.
5.9: Adopt resolution accepting the work of the 14C-0061 Cole Creek Bridge (Soda Bay Road) Oak Mitigation Project (BRLO-5914(108)) and the 14C-0085 Highland Creek Bridge (Highland Springs Road) Oak Mitigation Project (BRLO-5914(109)) and direct the public works director to file the notice of completion with the County of Lake Recorder’s Office.
5.10: Sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors, adopt a resolution of the Lake County Watershed Protection District authorizing the funding request, acceptance, and execution for the California Stream Gage Upgrade Project: Clover Creek Diversion Channel.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:03 a.m.: Pet of the Week.
6.3, 9:05 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of March 2025 as American Red Cross Month in Lake County.
6.4, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating March 18-24, 2025, as National Agriculture Week in Lake County.
6.5, 9:15 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating March 2025 as Women's History Month in Lake County.
6.5(2), erratum, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of the distribution of excess proceeds in the amount of $1,116,250.39 from Tax Defaulted Land Sale #161 held May 26, 2023 (per R&T §4675).
6.6, 10 a.m.: Hearing, consideration of post-abatement hearing and proposed assessment of abatement - 7560 Jackson Street, Nice (APN 030-091-06): Property owner: DL Investors 1, LLC, c/o WPL Holdings, LLC.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of Amendment 1 to agreement for professional services between the County of Lake and Lake County PEG-TV.
7.3: Consideration of 1) replacing one at-large member on the Middletown Local Area Plan Advisory Committee, or LAPAC, for one agriculture representative; and 2) appointment of member(s) to Middletown LAPAC.
7.4: Consideration of update on accomplishments and conclusion of Cannabis Ordinance Task Force.
7.5: Consideration of temporary public health officer appointment and professional services contract with Anju Goel, MD, MPH, for a term of six months for an amount not to exceed $49,860 for the term of the agreement and authorize the health services director to sign.
7.6: Consideration of resolution authorizing the delegation of authority to the Public Services director to approve and execute change orders for the agreement for construction of the Lake County Sheriff Administration Facility Renovation Project.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Public employee evaluation, Child Support Services director.
8.2: Conference with labor negotiator: a) Chief Negotiator: C. Torrez; County Negotiators: S. Parker, S. Carter, C. Moreno, P. Samac, and D. Rico; and b) Employee organizations: LCDDAA, LCDSA, LCCOA, LCEA, LCSEA, and LCSMA.
8.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1): McSorley v. Lake County.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(2), (e)(1) – One potential case.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The council will meet Tuesday, March 18, at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The agenda can be found here.
If you cannot attend in person, and would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the Zoom meeting remotely at this link or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799.
The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.
Comments can be submitted by email to
On Tuesday, the council will receive and file the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report.
That will be followed by a strategic planning workshop for fiscal year 25/26 citywide departmental goals.
On the consent agenda — items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote — are ordinances; minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting on March 4; approval of application 2025-009, with staff recommendations, for the Missing & Murdered Indigenous People Day event; approval of application 2025-012, with staff recommendations, for the 2025 Lake County Fair Parade; approval of application 2025-013, with staff recommendations, for the Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast; adoption of the proposed resolution terminating the Local State of Emergency declared on Feb. 7, 2024, and ratified by the City Council on Feb. 13, 2024, due to severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and extreme wind.
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