April WAKE UP! Newport – State Board of Equalization Chairwoman Diane Harkey

Chairwoman Diane Harkey will discuss…

• Her new role as Chairwoman of the BOE and Member of the Franchise Tax Board
• Taxpayer Victories and Regulatory Reform
• Casework and Constituent Service

Diane L. Harkey became the Chairwoman of the Board of Equalization (BOE) in February 2017. The Chairwoman represents the Fourth BOE District and was elected in November 2014. Prior to joining the Board, Harkey served three terms in the California State Assembly representing the 73rd District encompassing south Orange County.

As Chairwoman of the State Board of Equalization, Harkey capitalizes on her private and public sector experience to promote the rights and interests of all taxpayers. Harkey advocates for policies that support job creation in the private sector, improve California’s state budget outlook, and reduce the burden of complying with government audits and various tax regulations.

Harkey also serves as Chair of the Business Taxes Committee, the regulatory body at the BOE charged with writing regulations implementing California’s business tax regulations.

In her first year at the Board, Harkey successfully pushed for changes to provide clarity on 1031 exchanges in real estate transactions. Her office solved over 400 constituent cases in 2015 and has held many successful events educating taxpayers on Proposition 13, California’s manufacturing exemption and many areas of state tax law.

Harkey believes that California must establish new policies that ensure future improvements in transportation, water, and other necessities, so our state can retain its place as one of the top-ranking economies in the world. Harkey works directly with other Board Members, the Governor’s Administration, and the State Legislature to make California golden once again.

Harkey won her election to the Board of Equalization with over 61% of the vote and is proud to represent 9.5 million constituents in the counties of Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, and the southernmost portion of San Bernardino County.