State Senators Wants Tax Exemption for Camarillo Solar Firm

Republican California State Sen. Tony Strickland recently campaigned at a Camarillo clean-tech manufacturer to pass a solar jobs bill he co-authored with San Fernando Valley Democrat Alex Padilla. Speaking after a visit to SolarWorld’s manufacturing plant in Camarillo, Sen. Strickland touted the bill’s provision that would exempt the company and firms like it from sales tax on products it sells. “I believe the renewable energy industry can play a major role in returning California to economic prosperity,” Strickland said. “I look forward to providing businesses like SolarWorld with the tools they need to create jobs and grow our economy.” He and Sen. Padilla, along with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger believe benefits from the measure would far exceed any lost tax revenue by spurring job creation and overall economic growth. SolarWorld California is a division of German company SolarWorld AG, which also manufactures in Hillsboro, Ore., and Vancouver, Wash. The Camarillo facility has previously been owned by Atlantic-Richfield Corp., Siemens, and Shell Oil Co. Thom Senzee