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Rodne votes to protect
taxpayers, reinstate I-747
Lawmaker
says more must be done to ease the burden of rising property taxes
State Rep. Jay Rodne
today voted for a bill that will reinstate the provisions of Initiative
747. The voter-approved initiative prohibits taxing districts from
increasing their tax levies by more than 1 percent a year without voter
approval.
I-747 passed with 58 percent of the vote in 2001, but was struck down by
the state Supreme Court.
“Today was about honoring the will of the people and providing
homeowners assurance about their future property taxes,” said Rodne,
R-North Bend. “This is an important step, but more must be done to ease
the burden of rising property taxes. And I think the most important step
state lawmakers can take is to control state spending.”
Rodne voted “no” on another measure he feels is risky and will lead to
more debt for some low income homeowners. It creates a property tax
deferral option for homeowners who make less than $57,000 a year. The
measure allows eligible homeowners to defer 50 percent of their property
taxes each year, but they accrue seven percent interest each year that
would be collected when the home is eventually sold.
Rodne pointed out for a median price home in Covington at $295,500,
deferring 50 percent of a family’s property taxes over 10 years at seven
percent interest would mean that when they sold the house they would owe
more than $31,000 to the state.
“I’m surprised this legislation went through. It’s risky public policy
that borders on predatory lending when it comes to low income
homeowners,” said Rodne. “‘Pay less now and a lot more later’ is not in
the best interest of homeowners. It’s actually a tax increase for them.”
Rather than the property tax deferral option, Rodne supported an
alternative proposal that would have provided a $400 rebate to all
Washingtonians who paid property taxes on their primary residence in
2007. The measure was not allowed to come to the House floor.
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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