Schiff calls for investigation of IRS

Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat who represents Glendale and Burbank, called for a Government Accountability Office investigation of the Internal Revenue Service practices regarding the tax-exempt status of churches and other houses of worship.

Schiff requested a report from the IRS on its practices following reports that All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena was under investigation after an anti-war sermon given by the Rev. George Regas in 2004.

Schiff joined two other members in a bipartisan request for a formal investigation.

Walter Jones, a North Carolina Republican, and Joseph Pitts, a Pennsylvania Republican, also signed the letter.

Dreier applauds extension of tax relief

Rep. David Dreier, a Republican who represents Glendale, praised passage of the Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005.

H.R. 4297 was approved with bipartisan support, 234-197.

The legislation will extend the tax relief that led to strong, sustained economic growth and productivity and the creation of 4.5 million jobs since 2003, said Dreier, who praised Democrat support of the bill.

If not approved, some middle-class Americans would face a 50% increase in taxes, he said.

District Equalization board seat up for grabs

It's another case of political dominoes triggered by term limits.

Democrat Assemblyman Jerome Horton, who will be termed out of his 51st district seat representing Inglewood, will run for the state Board of Equalization's Fourth District seat in the June primary.

The board's Fourth District includes Glendale, Burbank and the Foothill communities. The seat will be vacated by John Chiang, who will exit next year due to term limits.

Horton served as an Inglewood city councilman and worked as an investigator at the Board of Equalization, which oversees the collection of state taxes, for more than 20 years before serving in the Assembly.

"The board has to be far more aggressive than we've been in the past," said Horton, who conducted numerous investigations of illegal tax avoidance.

"Our job is to protect citizens from tax cheats and businesses that operate illegally in California and who cheat on their taxes." Organized crime, undocumented businesses and even Taliban operatives often use contraband or counterfeit cigarettes to bilk the state out of sales tax that amounts to $125 million annually, Horton said.

When businesses don't collect sales tax they have a pricing advantage over legitimate merchants, Horton said.

The board has also been lax on collecting taxes that are already owed to the state, he said.

Town Council to host holiday bash

The Crescenta Valley Town Council will have a holiday party at its next meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station.

Council President Sharon Hales will present her annual president's report, the council will distribute holiday spirit awards and will discuss plans for the new library in La Crescenta.

The holiday party will follow the meeting with refreshments and entertainment.

The Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station is at 4554 N. Briggs Ave.