California tax: Jerome Horton to be Sworn in as 4th District Member of the Board of Equalization

Jerome E. Horton will be sworn in today by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as 4th District Member of the Board of Equalization representing more than 8.5 million residents in Los Angeles County.

A swearing in ceremony is planned for 5:30 p.m. at the California African American Museum in Los Angeles. Horton is the first African American to serve on the BOE since its inception in 1879. He is also the third African American constitutional officer in California's history.

"I look forward to representing the taxpayers and using my experience as both a public servant and small business owner to retain and grow businesses in the Los Angeles area and throughout California," said Horton.

Horton was confirmed by the Assembly and the Senate on September 10. Horton was appointed by Schwarzenegger in July, following Board Member Judy Chu's election to Congress. Horton will hold office for the balance of the term that expires in January 2011.

Horton has owned and operated Horton & Associates, a government consulting agency since 2007. Horton served in the State Assembly from 2000 to 2006, representing the 51st Assembly District. Prior to serving in the Assembly, Horton served on the Inglewood City Council from 1996 to 2000.

Previously, Horton worked for the BOE, from 1979 to 2000, as a staff member where he served as a business tax auditor and as legislative deputy, specializing in business tax law, auditing and legislative policies.

Horton, 52, of Inglewood, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

As 4th District Member of the BOE, Horton represents the more than 8.5 million residents in Los Angeles County that includes the cities of Agoura Hills, Alhambra, Arcadia, Artesia, Avalon, Baldwin Park, Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Calabasas, Carson, Cerritos, City of Industry, Commerce, Compton, Covina, Cudahy, Culver City, Diamond Bar, Downey, El Monte, El Segundo, Gardena, Glendale, Glendora, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Huntington Park, Inglewood, La Cañada Flintridge, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, La Puente, Lakewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Maywood, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Norwalk, Paramount, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Redondo Beach, Rosemead, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Marino, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, South El Monte, South Gate, South Pasadena, Temple City, Torrance, Vernon, Walnut, West Covina, West Hollywood , Westlake Village and Whittier.

The five-member California State Board of Equalization is a publicly elected tax board. The BOE collects more than $53 billion annually in taxes and fees supporting state and local government services. It hears business tax appeals, acts as the appellate body for franchise and personal income tax appeals, and serves a significant role in the assessment and administration of property taxes. For more information on other taxes and fees in California, visit www.taxes.ca.gov.