Board of Equalization

Bill Leonard was elected to serve on the Board of Equalization in the November 2002 elections where he garnered over one million votes. The Board functions as California's tax board administering the collections and appeals for sales, income, and property taxes as well as 31 other taxes and fees.

Bill Leonard was elected to the State Assembly in 1978 through 1988 and again from 1996 through 2002. He was elected to the Senate in 1988 and re-elected without opposition. He served as Senate Republican Caucus Chair from 1990 to 1996 and as Assembly Republican Leader in 1997 and 1998.

While in the State Legislature, Bill Leonard was instrumental in fighting internet taxation to save California consumers money, reforming the workers compensation system to help injured workers and to save businesses billions in premiums, and strengthening the state's drunk driving laws to remove more drunken drivers from the road and save lives. Bill Leonard served twice on the Legislature's budget writing conference committee and co-wrote the $400 million savings in the state's Medi-Cal program.

His service in the State Legislature has established Bill Leonard as an advocate for fiscal responsibility, families, and quality public education. He is also known for his efforts to improve the job and business climate in the Golden State by lowering taxes, reducing unnecessary regulation and providing incentives for job creation and business expansion. Before his election to the State Legislature, Bill Leonard served on the Board of Directors of the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. His professional background is in real estate and property management. He holds a B.A. in history from UC Irvine and did graduate work at California State University, Sacramento while participating in the Assembly Fellowship Program. He is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, has served on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino, and was Vice President of the San Bernardino County Taxpayers' Association.

Bill and his wife, Sherry, enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including golfing, skiing, hiking, scuba diving, and boating. They also participate in wallyball and weight lifting at the gym. They have three grown sons, Tim and his wife Mona along with their daughter Katie, Michael and his wife Vicki, and Jacob.

America's Highest-Ranking Korean American Elected Official

Elected to the Board of Equalization in 2006, Michelle Steel serves as the country's highest ranking Korean-American officeholder and California 's highest ranking Republican woman. A successful businesswoman and longtime taxpayer advocate, Michelle Steel represents more than eight million people in the Third District, which includes the c ounties of Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, and portions of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.

On the Board of Equalization, Michelle Steel's first priority is protecting taxpayers. Michelle's commitment to taxpayers began at an early age when she watched her mother fight an unwarranted Board of Equalization tax bill. As an immigrant small business owner, Michelle's mother lacked the resources to successfully fight a massive state agency and reluctantly acceded to the Board's demands.

As one of California 's fiscal officers, Michelle Steel promises to protect taxpayers from the overbearing government that her family encountered. A signatory of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, Michelle Steel will oppose all new taxes and tax increases. When adjudicating tax appeals, she will always presume that a taxpayer is innocent until proven guilty.

Before taking office, Michelle Steel served as Deputy Board of Equalization Member to Claude Parrish. Her public policy experience also includes service as a Member of the California Orange County Deputy District Office: KA Community Commission and Member of the Tax Advisory Committee for the State Board of Equalization.

Over the past decade, Michelle Steel has served on the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, California World Trade Commission, Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, and Los Angeles Airport and Fire Commissions.

Recognizing her extensive public policy experience, the President appointed Michelle Steel to the White House Conference on Aging, her second presidential appointment. Michelle also serves as a Board Member for the Korean American Republican Association and as an Honorary Chair of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2006 Gubernatorial Campaign.

Michelle Steel has spent her life actively involved in her community, beginning as a Radio Seoul Commentator- a position she continues to hold. She has been an instrumental volunteer for several youth organizations, including Options House, a local emergency shelter helping runaway children, and the Coalition of Brothers and Sisters Unlimited, an African-American after-school program.

Educated in Korea , Japan , and the United States , Michelle holds a degree in Business from Pepperdine University and is fluent in Korean and Japanese.

Michelle and her husband, Shawn, have been married for twenty-five years. They live in Palos Verdes, where they are raising their two children ? Cheyenne , 19, and Siobhan, 16.