Olympian and media personality Caitlyn Jenner said that despite California and Los Angeles County paying the highest taxes in the country, the wildfires were mismanaged by officials. Jenner shared her statement in a January 9 post on X.
“In CA and specifically LA County we are paying the highest taxes in the country. How is it that we have such terrible mismanagement?” Jenner wrote in her post. “I hope voters remember this from the top of the ballot down as we move forward.”
According to a study released on November 1, 2024, by the California Tax Foundation, California’s tax climate is ranked as the third-worst in the country, ahead of only New Jersey and New York.
In another report released by the California Tax Foundation on October 2, 2024, it was noted that California lawmakers were considering more than $203.5 billion in new taxes and fees. These proposals include a “wealth tax” and a government-run health care system.
In addition to income taxes, according to a report from H&R Block on 2023-2024 tax rates, California imposes a state sales tax rate of 7.25%, which is among the highest in the country. Local jurisdictions can add their own sales taxes, leading to combined rates that can reach up to 10.75% in certain areas.
According to Cal Fire, approximately 57,528 acres have been burned by the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires. More than 16,255 structures have been destroyed or damaged in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and surrounding neighborhoods. As of January 27, there are 28 fatalities. Santa Ana winds, drought conditions, and heavy brush resulting from last year’s rains continue fueling these fires as investigations into their causes proceed.
Jenner is a former Olympic track and field star who won gold and set a world record in the men’s decathlon at the 1976 Montreal Games after placing tenth in 1972. Renowned as one of the most celebrated athletes of the 1970s, Jenner later gained prominence through motivational speaking, book writing, and appearances on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. In 2015, Jenner came out as a transgender woman and received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the ESPY Awards.
