Tempers flare as troubled California tax board weighs audit reforms
Tempers flared at a testy Tuesday meeting where elected members of a troubled state tax board began restricting their own powers while they braced for changes that may be forced on them by the governor and Legislature.
The Board of Equalization adopted two policies that push elected members away from the organization’s daily decisions, but struggled with an outline for a new governance model that would define how its elected representatives lead an agency that collects $60 billion a year in taxes and fees.
The board has been under scrutiny by lawmakers since a March audit drew attention to accounting failures and the alleged misuse of civil servants by elected members. It described flashy promotional events, including ones with a women empowerment theme, that were staffed by employees with tax-collecting responsibilities.
Gov. Jerry Brown has restricted its spending and called for the Legislature to adopt a response to the audit by next month.
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