Topline:
North Tustin could get its own ZIP code.
Why now: Rep. Young Kim, who represents parts of northern Orange County in the 40th congressional district, co-introduced a bill that would direct the U.S. Postal Service to create ZIP codes for several California communities, including unincorporated North Tustin.
Why it matters: Kim said North Tustin’s unincorporated status causes confusion for taxes and mail. The community shares one of its ZIP codes with Santa Ana, which has among the highest sales tax rates in the county at 9.25%. For comparison, most of Orange County has a 7.75% sales tax rate. The Foothill Communities Association, whose president supported the bill, didn’t immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.
The backstory: Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner said in a statement that people in North Tustin have been paying excess local taxes for far too long. “They never voted for the taxes, raising a constitutional concern of taxation without representation,” Wagner said.
The details: The bill also calls for ZIP codes in Hidden Hills and Industry. A similar bill, also co-introduced by Kim, passed the House of Representatives last December but stalled in the Senate.
What’s next: The bill is scheduled to go before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Wednesday. You can find a livestream link here.