Blue Vs Red: California Not Likely to Follow Tennessee’s Lead in Helping Disaster Victims

California homeowners who lost everything in recent wildfires unlikely to get a break on their property taxes. In stark contrast, Tennessee is refunding more than what residents paid while California is only offering an extension to pay the bill.

Key Facts:

Tennessee is refunding 130% of property taxes for homeowners affected by Hurricane Helene, following unanimous approval from state lawmakers.
The bill, signed by Gov. Bill Lee, ensures full property tax relief for disaster victims who owned affected properties at the time of the event.
California law allows for limited tax refunds, but they are rarely granted.
LA residents impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires blame poor state and local services for their suffering, including a lack of firefighting resources.
California officials have only offered property tax payment extensions—not refunds—for fire victims.

The Rest of The Story:

Tennessee lawmakers moved quickly to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Their legislation, signed by Gov. Bill Lee, ensures that homeowners whose properties were damaged or destroyed will receive not just a refund, but an additional 30% on top of it.

Meanwhile, California, where devastating wildfires left many homeless, has not offered similar relief.

Despite complaints that state mismanagement made the fires worse—ranging from poor water availability to inadequate firefighter deployment—state officials have only granted extensions on tax payments, not refunds.

I'm extending the property tax deadline for residents impacted by the Los Angeles firestorms to help relieve financial or administrative hardship.

California is here for the survivors who have been impacted by these fires and we'll do all we can to offer the support they need. pic.twitter.com/lBIshvS2fQ

— Governor Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 17, 2025

Many affected residents in Los Angeles County say they were left to fend for themselves as emergency services failed them.

Yet, the state is still demanding property taxes on homes that no longer exist.

CONFIRMED Los Angeles Pacific Palisades fire victims must still pay 2/3 of their property taxes this year on land that’s been burned to the ground

LA, California Property “Assessor office has looked at the assessed values on an average basis in the fire-hit areas, and it turns… pic.twitter.com/WsAQS6vbE7

— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) January 18, 2025

Commentary:

California has the highest state income tax rate in the country and ranks among the worst in overall tax burdens.

Yet, when disaster strikes, the state suddenly claims it has no money to help the very people funding its bloated budget.

Instead of offering meaningful relief to fire victims, California’s leaders prioritize expensive social programs that do little to support working families and property owners. Their out of control spending on woke policies leaves them with large deficits year after year.

In contrast, Tennessee, which ranks 46th in overall tax burden, found the resources to refund more than what its disaster victims originally paid.

Their government recognizes that taxpayers deserve real relief after a crisis, not just more red tape.

California’s decision to deny refunds isn’t about fiscal responsibility—it’s about misplaced priorities.

The state collects billions in tax revenue, yet when homeowners lose everything, they’re expected to keep paying.

It’s no wonder people are fleeing California for lower-tax states that respect their residents.

To add insult to injury, LA fire victims get nothing but an extension—meaning they still owe every penny.

Meanwhile, Tennessee is putting its people first, proving that good governance isn’t about how much you tax, but how well you serve your citizens.

The Bottom Line:

Tennessee is providing real relief to disaster victims, while California is making them wait to pay taxes on homes that no longer exist.

This stark difference in priorities shows why so many are packing up and leaving California for states that actually respect their taxpayers.