SAN FRANCISCO, CA (1/6)- Hundreds of friends and family members gathered at San Francisco City Hall, to help celebrate the inauguration of Fiona Ma to the California State Board of Equalization, only the second certified personal accountant (CPA) to be elected to the office since 1879. According to invitations sent by Fiona Ma,"I wanted to send a friendly reminder that my Swearing-In Ceremony is set for this coming Tuesday, January 6th from 11am - 2pm at San Francisco's City Hall. Supreme Court Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye will be swearing me in, Senator John Burton (Retired), Controller/Treasurer-Elect John Chiang, Assembly Speaker Emeritus John A. Perez and SF Mayor Ed Lee will also be in attendance and will be making remarks...."
Former Mayor Willie Brown interjected jokingly,"What are you doing? This looks more like a an occasion for the governorship. There's no other reason you would have a California Chief Justice to swear you in. When I heard that Speaker John Perez was here and and that John Burton was scheduled to speak, I thought to myself, 'Maybe I can get in on the program..."
Fiona Ma is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in California since 1992 and holds a B.S. in Accounting from the Rochester Institute of Technology (NY), a Masters Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University (SF) and an MBA from Pepperdine University. She is a Member of CalCPA and CalCPA's Public Policy Task Force. She is uniquely qualified to lead the Board of Equalization in attacking a growing underground economy that robs our schools, universities, and vital public safety of revenues they need and should be be collected.
Prior to elected service, she served on the SF Assessment Appeals Board where she presided over personal and corporate property tax appeal cases from 1994-1999.
From 1995-2001, she was a District Representative to former Senator John Burton where she helped constituents with a wide range of issue areas including the Board of Equalization and Franchise Tax Board.
Fiona was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 2002-2006 and then the State Assembly District 12 in 2006-2012 where she served as the Speaker pro Tempore. As a member of the Speaker’s Leadership Team, she served on 14 of the 30 Standing Committees providing her with a working knowledge in many of the revenue sources administered by the SBOE. Over the past 5 years, she has also authored various bills with members of the Board of Equalization, County Assessors and the Franchise Tax Board.
While running for office, Ma stated as her platform goals,"Make sure everyone is paying their fair share of taxes by tackling the $8 billion in unpaid taxes in the underground economy. Streamline and reform outdated tax laws and make it easier for taxpayers to do business and comply with our tax laws. Ensure a "friendly" tax agency that is responsive and treats taxpayers with respect and dignity..."
Among the many accolades spoken about Ma, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, California Supreme Court, simply stated,"I have but two words about her, fearless and dynamic..."
Betty Yee gave the advice to Fiona Ma saying,"Over the past 10 years in office, I have learned a few things. First, keep your nose down! Second, resist getting into the newspaper for headlines. But most importantly,"Do your part to save taxpayer money!"
Chinatown resident and activist Richard Ow stated,"Run, Fiona! Run! You're qualified to be State Senator. You have been a city supervisor and a State Assemblymember for many years. San Francisco loves you. You always know how to bring home the bacon...."
Rudy Assertion stated,"Tighten up business procedures and practices. Make it easier for people of all color to start their own business!"
Emily Murase, San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) said,"I'm glad she'll be able to continue her amazing journey!" Lorna Lardizabal Dietz said,"Asians Rule! I would like to say 'Asians Women Rule!' but San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee was up there and I want to give him credit."
Susan Leal stated the advice,"Just keep doing the great job that you are already doing! You are a great public servant who just keeps getting better!"
Supervisor Carmen Chu said,"She's a very talented legislator and public servant. I have every confidence that she has the skills and resources to accomplish great things in the office. I certainly look forward to working with her!"
- Jose Ricardo G. Bondoc
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Former Mayor Willie Brown interjected jokingly,"What are you doing? This looks more like a an occasion for the governorship. There's no other reason you would have a California Chief Justice to swear you in. When I heard that Speaker John Perez was here and and that John Burton was scheduled to speak, I thought to myself, 'Maybe I can get in on the program..."
Fiona Ma is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in California since 1992 and holds a B.S. in Accounting from the Rochester Institute of Technology (NY), a Masters Degree in Taxation from Golden Gate University (SF) and an MBA from Pepperdine University. She is a Member of CalCPA and CalCPA's Public Policy Task Force. She is uniquely qualified to lead the Board of Equalization in attacking a growing underground economy that robs our schools, universities, and vital public safety of revenues they need and should be be collected.
Prior to elected service, she served on the SF Assessment Appeals Board where she presided over personal and corporate property tax appeal cases from 1994-1999.
From 1995-2001, she was a District Representative to former Senator John Burton where she helped constituents with a wide range of issue areas including the Board of Equalization and Franchise Tax Board.
Fiona was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 2002-2006 and then the State Assembly District 12 in 2006-2012 where she served as the Speaker pro Tempore. As a member of the Speaker’s Leadership Team, she served on 14 of the 30 Standing Committees providing her with a working knowledge in many of the revenue sources administered by the SBOE. Over the past 5 years, she has also authored various bills with members of the Board of Equalization, County Assessors and the Franchise Tax Board.
While running for office, Ma stated as her platform goals,"Make sure everyone is paying their fair share of taxes by tackling the $8 billion in unpaid taxes in the underground economy. Streamline and reform outdated tax laws and make it easier for taxpayers to do business and comply with our tax laws. Ensure a "friendly" tax agency that is responsive and treats taxpayers with respect and dignity..."
Among the many accolades spoken about Ma, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, California Supreme Court, simply stated,"I have but two words about her, fearless and dynamic..."
Betty Yee gave the advice to Fiona Ma saying,"Over the past 10 years in office, I have learned a few things. First, keep your nose down! Second, resist getting into the newspaper for headlines. But most importantly,"Do your part to save taxpayer money!"
Chinatown resident and activist Richard Ow stated,"Run, Fiona! Run! You're qualified to be State Senator. You have been a city supervisor and a State Assemblymember for many years. San Francisco loves you. You always know how to bring home the bacon...."
Rudy Assertion stated,"Tighten up business procedures and practices. Make it easier for people of all color to start their own business!"
Emily Murase, San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) said,"I'm glad she'll be able to continue her amazing journey!" Lorna Lardizabal Dietz said,"Asians Rule! I would like to say 'Asians Women Rule!' but San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee was up there and I want to give him credit."
Susan Leal stated the advice,"Just keep doing the great job that you are already doing! You are a great public servant who just keeps getting better!"
Supervisor Carmen Chu said,"She's a very talented legislator and public servant. I have every confidence that she has the skills and resources to accomplish great things in the office. I certainly look forward to working with her!"
- Jose Ricardo G. Bondoc
###