Several days ago, new assessments went out in the mail for property owners in the Leavenworth area and it wasn't a pretty sight. Some property values have increased 100 percent or more over the last four years on homes and properties north of Leavenworth all the way up to Stevens Pass. Many property owners are hot under the collar -- and with good reason. It means higher taxes that some people may not be able to afford.

I am extremely concerned, just like you, because I do not believe it is right for government to tax you out of your homes.

This issue seems to be hitting the 12th District especially hard because our local area is attractive for people from out of the area who have lots of money to spend and are buying up local properties for development. That drives up prices of property and, as a result, assessments go up. For folks who have lived in our valley for most of their lives, it's very tough to deal with high property taxes.

I wanted to take a few moments of your time to share what my Republican colleagues and I tried to do about property taxes during the 2007 legislative session, which ended April 22. I also want you to know that if you are a low-income senior citizen or have a disability, you may be able to qualify for property tax exemptions and deferrals. Finally, I also want to reassure you that the issue of property tax relief for our local citizens is one of my highest priorities in the Legislature. We need LOWER taxes!

We're all in this together, and your support can and does make a difference.

It is an honor to serve you!

These included: House Bill 1170, House Bill 2117, House Bill 2272, House Bill 2403 and Senate Bill 5001. (I co-sponsored House Bills 2117, 2272 and 2403.)

HB 2117 was co-sponsored by 40 House members – 23 Republicans and 17 Democrats. Among the five bills introduced to reinstate I-747, a total of 46 House members, Republican and Democrat co-sponsored the reinstatement of I-747.

On March 5, when Republicans moved to vote the HB 2403 out of the Finance Committee, the Democrat chairman said the bill was premature:
 

On April 10, when Republicans tried yet again to move the bill by pulling it to the floor, the Democrat Speaker Pro Tem indicated it was too late:

"House Bill 2403 does not fall within the enumerated exceptions to the Wednesday, March 14th deadline for consideration of bills in the house of origin, and may not be considered by this body under the terms of the cutoff resolution."

So first, it was too early to move forward on a bill to limit property taxes? Then it was too late?

The reality is that if our Democrat colleagues were really serious about property tax relief, they would have allowed our tax relief bills to advance. Instead, our efforts to provide property tax relief were repeatedly rejected. Of all our proposals, only one received a hearing.

We also unveiled a comprehensive tax relief measure, which included the 1 percent cap on property tax growth and a $400 rebate to all Washington property owners. The plan also included an agriculture tax relief package and cuts in payroll taxes for both employees and employers. The majority party also did not allow this plan to advance.

Have I given up? Absolutely NOT!

This issue is too important for the citizens of the 12th District and it's not going to go away. I will continue pushing for comprehensive property tax relief that will allow citizens to remain in their homes.