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Armstrong seeks property tax
relief in first bills of session
Measures
would eliminate state portion of property taxes, cap assessments
Making good on his promise
to seek meaningful tax relief for 12th District home- and property
owners, Rep. Mike
Armstrong has introduced legislation that would eliminate the state portion of property
taxes.
House Bill 1027 was among the first bills to be
introduced today during the opening day of the 2009 legislative session.
"The state budget deficit
has attracted a lot of attention in Olympia. But I think the biggest
issue affecting the 12th District is property tax relief. Homeowners in
North Central Washington are getting hit hard with skyrocketing property
taxes. It's especially difficult for long-time residents of Leavenworth
and Chelan where properties are in demand, which drives up prices," said
Armstrong, R-Wenatchee. "People are struggling with assessment increases
as high as one hundred percent. In this economy, many don't know if they can
afford to stay in their homes. The goal of my legislation is to
prevent government from taxing people out of their homes and allow them
to keep what they own."
Under HB 1027, the state
property tax levy would be incrementally reduced over six years until it
is entirely eliminated.
"Twenty-four percent of
the property taxes you pay go into that deep, dark hole known as the
state general fund where it gets lost in the mix. The other seventy-six
percent stays in the local community. My legislation would reduce the
state's portion of the property tax by four percent every year until it
is entirely eliminated in six years," said Armstrong. "The reduction
is done incrementally so it is not such a big impact on the state
budget, and it gives us latitude to correct our budget deficit problems
by the time this legislation is fully implemented."
Armstrong noted that
third- and fourth-generation families in North Central Washington are
now having to consider selling properties that have been in their
families for years because of unaffordable property taxes.
"Most people don't mind
paying their property taxes if they are fair and affordable. However,
when you are looking at assessments that are double or triple on a cabin
at Lake Wenatchee or an unimproved property in Entiat, then I can
understand why people are up in arms about their property tax bills,"
said Armstrong. "I want to restore fairness in the system by providing a
twenty-four percent reduction in property taxes, and keeping remaining
property tax revenues in our local communities -- not the state's
general fund."
Armstrong has also
introduced House Joint Resolution 4200, which if approved by the
Legislature, would ask voters in November whether to cap annual property
tax assessments at 1 percent per year.
The 12th District lawmaker
acknowledged it may be a struggle in a budget deficit year to advance
property tax relief. However, he said if the state is to get a handle on
its budget problems, the Legislature needs to provide relief for people
struggling with their own budgets which have been exacerbated by
excessive property taxes.
"We don't have a revenue
problem in our state. We have a spending problem. The state has to live
within its means. Revenues are expected
to increase this year by another five percent. And yet, the Legislature continues
to over spend," noted Armstrong. "That's why it is good timing for these
bills because they emphasize the fact that the state has to live within
its means."
Both bills have been
referred to the House Finance Committee for further consideration.
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For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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