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39th District
representatives vote to restore
1 percent property tax limit from I-747
Reps. Kirk Pearson and
Dan Kristiansen voted Thursday in support of legislation
restoring the 1 percent property tax increase cap voters approved by 58
percent when they passed Initiative 747.
“Taxpayers in the
Thirty-ninth District are being stretched beyond their means with
growing property assessments and property taxes. The voters spoke loud
and clear – they want predictable and affordable property taxes.
Citizens have waited long enough for a little tax relief and I’m glad we
put some stop-gaps in place to protect homeowners,” said
Pearson, R-Monroe. “This is good for homeowners and families that are
struggling to keep up with rising taxes, fuel and basic household
necessities.”
"Citizens often call or
write to me saying, 'My property taxes are too high and I'm being taxed
out of my home.' People are at their limit when it comes to skyrocketing
property taxes. I think voters knew perfectly well what they wanted when
they approved I-747. They wanted a stronger limit on levy increases,"
said Kristiansen, R-Snohomish. "I'm very glad that we had an opportunity
to return to Olympia in a special session to uphold the will of the
people and permanently adopt the 1 percent levy limit voters were
seeking."
Kristiansen and Pearson
said they remain concerned that the Legislature failed to address the
“banked capacity” issue. Under the law, if a taxing district does not
levy the entire allowable increase in any year, it can bank that amount
for a future year, allowing the district the opportunity of increases
greater than 1 percent. While the bill passed today eliminates some
banked capacity created by the Supreme Court ruling, it still leaves an
estimated $108 million worth of taxing authority on the table.
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer:
(360) 786-7252
John
Sattgast, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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