Taxpayers in California have a voice in the makeup of the Franchise Tax Board, electing two of its three members. The FTB is chaired by the State Controller, John Chiang. Other board members include Dr. Judy Chu, chair of the Board of Equalization, and Michael C. Genest, director of the Department of Finance.
- John Chiang, State Controller, Chair, Franchise Tax Board
- Dr. Judy Chu, Chair, Board of Equalization
- Michael C. Genest, Director of Finance
John Chiang, State Controller and Chair, Franchise Tax Board
John Chiang was elected to statewide office as State Controller in 2006. As one of California′s twelve constitutional officers, John is the highest–ranking Asian–American officeholder in the continental United States.
Mr. Chiang brings extensive experience and fiscal leadership to the State Controller′s Office. He was first elected to the Board of Equalization in 1998. During his two terms, Mr. Chiang represented the Board of Equalization on the Franchise Tax Board and led with innovative and groundbreaking taxpayer–friendly services like the State′s free income tax return program, ReadyReturn.
Mr. Chiang has sponsored innovative tax seminars to guide small businesses, non–profit organizations and religious institutions in understanding the state and federal tax codes. These programs provided access to information and services for those without the time, expertise, or resources to study the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to their circumstances.
Mr. Chiang has also boosted small businesses by sponsoring events featuring experts from various government agencies to explain in clear and concise language compliance issues, the latest tax laws, policies, rules, and regulations. These seminars provide entrepreneurs with the tools to strengthen their businesses and prosper.
Mr. Chiang graduated with honors from the University of South Florida with a degree in finance, and received his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. He began his career as a Tax Law Specialist with the Internal Revenue Service and served as an attorney with the State Controller′s Office.
For more information about the State Controller′s Office, please visit their Website.
Dr. Judy Chu, Chair, Board of Equalization
Dr. Judy Chu was elected to the California State Board of Equalization in November 2006. In January 2007, she was unanimously selected as Vice Chair by her colleagues, and named Chair of the Legislative Committee. In January 2008, Judy Chu was unanimously elected Chair of the Board of Equalization.
Before joining the State Board of Equalization, Dr. Chu served three terms as a State Assembly Member for the 49th District in the West San Gabriel Valley from 2001 to 2006. She was Chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, which oversees all legislation that has a fiscal impact on the state.
In addition, Dr. Chu served as Chair of the California Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, Assembly Select Committee on Hate Crimes, and Assembly Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. She was also a member of the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee, Labor and Employment Committee, and Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee.
In 2004, Dr. Chu authored a landmark tax amnesty bill which was estimated to bring in $300 million but actually brought in $4.8 billion in revenue for the state budget without raising taxes. Several states offered tax amnesty that year, and California’s was the most successful tax amnesty program in the nation.
Prior to the State Assembly, Dr. Chu served on the Monterey Park City Council for thirteen years from 1988 to 2001, and served as Mayor three times. She began her career in public service as a Board Member of the Garvey School District from 1985 to 1988. Dr. Chu has been dedicated to education for decades, and was a community college professor of psychology for 20 years. She holds a Ph.D. in psychology and a B.A. in mathematics.
For more information about the State Board of Equalization, please visit their Website.
Michael C. Genest, Director of Finance
Michael C. Genest has served as director of the Department of Finance since December 2005.
Mr. Genest first served as Chief Deputy Director of the Department of Finance from November 2003 to February 2005, when he was named undersecretary for the Health & Human Services Agency. He returned to Finance in September 2005 as acting director. Prior to that, he was on loan to the newly reorganized Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation serving as acting director of support services. Earlier, he was director of the Senate Republican Fiscal Office and advisor to the leader on matters relating to the state budget and state and local government finance.
Mr. Genest′s experience also includes more than three years as Assistant Deputy Director of prevention services for the Department of Health Services, 10 years as director of the Social Services Section of the Legislative Analyst′s Office and more than three years as deputy director for Welfare Programs for Department of Social Services.
Mr. Genest received a bachelor of arts degree from San Jose State University, and a master′s degree in public policy from University of California, Berkeley.
For more information about the Department of Finance, please visit their Website.