Tax relief for wildfire survivors signed into law

THE DAILY ROUNDUP

Chico man gets maximum sentence for fatal fight

Congressman Doug LaMalfa, here being interviewed on August 5, 2021, during the Dixie Fire at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds co-authored a bill with congressman Mike Thompson in March that would exempt wildfire victims from having to pay taxes on their settlements and their attorneys’ fees. The House version and the Senate version introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein in late July have each yet to have a committee hearing. In May a similar bill was passed out of the California Legislature and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. RICK SILVA — PARADISE POST

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By Evan Tuchinsky

etuchinsky@chicoer.com

In a boon to wildfire survivors, President Joe Biden signed into law the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023, co-sponsored by north state Rep. Doug LaMalfa.

The bill that reached Biden’s desk, House Resolution 5863, creates an income-tax exemption for “compensation for expenses or losses incurred due to a qualified wildfire disaster … declared after 2014 as a result of a forest or range fire.” HR5863 also covers victims of the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

“After our visit with the President and Mrs. Biden at the White House Christmas Ball this week, I appreciate the President’s timely signature after his recent return from Africa on our important disaster tax relief bill,” LaMalfa said in an announcement of Thursday’s signing.

Under the new law, affected taxpayers have until a year from now to file amended tax returns for monies received from 2020 through 2025 — and also excludes the compensation from income calculations to qualify for benefits such as health insurance and student loans. LaMalfa’s announcement quantified the total of HR5863 reimbursements at $512 million.

“I am hopeful that we can get refunds out to those who were needlessly forced to pay the tax in recent years,” LaMalfa said. “Our office stands ready to assist if needed with the IRS processing these refunds and reducing ongoing fire risk to all of our forested areas and neighbors.”

Fatal fight

A Chico man who pleaded to involuntary manslaughter for a fatal fight in Bidwell Park this summer received the maximum sentence Thursday in Butte County Superior Court, the Butte County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Leighton Patrick Reed, 34, will serve four years in state prison. Per the DA, Reed admitted to killing Michael Anthony Luther, 44, during an argument over fentanyl at the 12 Tables Picnic Area on July 17. Luther was found that evening in the passenger seat of his pickup near the intersection of Alder Street and Woodland Avenue.

“It’s an absolute shame that Luther lost his life, and his surviving family members lost a cherished loved one, over a small baggy of fentanyl,” District Attorney Mike Ramsey said. “Unfortunately, too many people are losing their lives either from fentanyl or because of fentanyl. All are senseless and avoidable deaths.”

Wet weather

The National Weather Service’s Sacramento office continues to forecast stormy weather in the north state for Saturday, with its Friday update also anticipating a break in precipitation Sunday before resuming Monday.

NWS cited thunderstorms and wind for Saturday in the valley and foothills, with heavy snow in the mountains. After clearing Sunday, rain and snow will return Monday.

Visit weather.gov/sto for further updates.

Enloe’s grade

Enloe Health received an “A” grade for hospital safety from the independent watchdog Leapfrog Group, the medical center announced Friday.

Leapfrog gives letter grades of A through F to hospitals nationwide based on 30 metrics including accidents, errors, infections and injuries — along with systems in place to prevent these from occurring. As reported Thursday, Oroville Hospital received a D. Adventist Health and Rideout, which incorporates Adventist Health Feather River in Paradise, received a B.

Dr. Sean Maiorano, Enloe Health’s chief medical officer, said the rating “reflects the dedication, innovation and hard work of my exceptional colleagues. Together, we strive for excellence every day. To receive this acknowledgment is an honor for our organization.”

Redding airport

As Chico continues its pursuit of a commercial passenger carrier, Redding Regional Airport is expanding its service by adding United Airlines flights to Denver.

The Redding City Council, at its meeting Tuesday, will consider authorizing finalization and signing of a contract that includes a $2 million revenue guarantee. That’s the amount Chico has targeted to bring an airline to Chico Regional Airport.

Nonprofit’s news

United Way of Northern California announced the impending retirement of CEO Larry Olmstead and the selection of COO Kalie Brisbon as his successor.

The Redding-based organization that also serves Butte County said it has “expanded its staff, programming and revenue more than fivefold” since Olmstead came from the San Jose office in 2016. Brisbon joined UWNC in 2019.