A successful year: a look back at accomplishments and moving forward.

• Author: Allen Bruce C.
• Position: CapitolBeat

This was another successful year of advocacy for CalCPA. The voice of the profession was influential within the Legislature regarding significant legislation impacting CPAs, clients, the business community and taxpayers throughout California.

For example, CalCPA's grassroots efforts proved to be extremely effective in influencing legislation when hundreds of CalCPA members called, wrote and met with their legislators to oppose AB 2415. legislation creating broad regulations that would have required CPAs to register with the state as a property tax agent for representing a diem before a county assessor or their staff.

The efforts ol CalCPA members to raise important issues, inform their representatives and force a closer look as this issue moved through the Legislature. were key factors that prevented it from becoming law.

CalCPA also successfully opposed efforts to insert prohibitions on the use of contingency fees and audit firm rotation into legislation this year.

CalCPA extends its thanks to all members who helped make this a successful advocacy wan We look forward to continuing to advocate for the profession when the new legislative session kicks off in January.

Looking Ahead to 2015

There was a major shift in the California political landscape following the November 2014 mid-term elections. A historically low voter turnout benefited Republicans as the party picked up a majority in Congress in both the Senate and House. The low turnout gave Republicans and moderate Democrats the edge in a number or tight legislative races in California.

The big takeaway is that the supermajorities in the California Legislature 'itre gone, with Democratic losses in the Senate and Assembly'. It's also important to note that, in both the Senate and Assembly Ill most Democrat versus Democrat races, the candidate considered more "moderate" or "business-Friendly" bested the more liberal.

This is an important development, as a two-thirds supermajority is required to impose. new taxes or fees, and for placing measures on the ballot for constituents to vote on in future elections. This could have implications for the state budget in the near future, as temporary tax increases imposed in 20 12 by Proposition 30 expire at the end of 2016 for the sales tax and in 2018 kw the personal income tax. Budget and any tax discussions will likely he much more tenuous between the two parties.

Another important takeaway from the election is the large influx of freshmen...