Lawmakers stripped the Board of Equalization of power. Now they’re fighting to join it

California’s Board of Equalization, the state’s only elected tax board, is seeing renewed interest from lawmakers after losing most of its authority in 2017. Then-Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation stripping the board of its power to collect sales and use taxes and hear taxpayer appeals, reducing it to its original 1879 constitutional role of equalizing county property tax assessments. The reforms followed a state audit revealing misconduct by board members, including self-promotion. Three current state lawmakers are now competing for seats in this year’s elections: Republican Sen. Shannon Grove in District 1, incumbent Sally Lieber in District 2, and Assemblymember Mike Gipson in District 3. Grove, representing inland California, leads with over $900,000 in campaign funds, while Yvonne Yiu in District 3 has self-financed her campaign with $760,000. Lieber, the Democratic incumbent in the Bay Area district, faces challenger John Pimentel, backed by state Treasurer Fiona Ma and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. The board has historically served as a political launching pad, with former members like Fiona Ma, Betty Yee, and Malia Cohen later holding statewide offices. However, after the 2017 overhaul, elections became less prominent, with candidates often coming from local politics rather than the Capitol. Lieber, now running for reelection, argues the board remains valuable as a forum for taxpayer disputes despite its reduced role. This year’s races are marked by high campaign spending and partisan competition. Grove’s name recognition from her decade-long legislative tenure gives her an advantage in District 1, while Yiu’s self-funding makes her a formidable candidate in District 3. The elections reflect broader efforts by lawmakers to regain influence in a board once considered a stepping stone to higher office.