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Lantz to support property tax cap bill Statement from state Rep. Pat Lantz (D- Gig Harbor) on Gov. Gregoire calling for a special session November 20, 2007
Property taxes have been a big issue for
my constituents for many years. I understand their concerns. As a
47 -year
resident of the 26th district, I have seen much growth and change in
the area. Though these changes have brought much economic
opportunity, it hasn't been without some growing pains. The
resulting runaway valuation of property has caused property taxes to
rise rapidly. These rising values have some people struggling,
worried that they will no longer be able to afford their homes.
The governor's call for a special session to reinstate the 1 percent limit on property tax increases is the correct step to take at this time for Washington's homeowners. All along, Gov. Gregoire has said that she would support a special session if local taxing districts did not honor the 1 percent cap until January, which is when the legislature convenes for the 2008 session. It appears we must act now. I have been in front of this issue long before the Supreme Court's recent decision. Early last session, Rep. Christopher Hurst introduced a bill to make the 1 percent cap law. I signed onto it because I had heard the concerns from the taxpayers of my district and wanted to take an initial step towards addressing those concerns. The bill did not make it out of committee, but we will be re-introducing it in next week's special session, and it is my intention to vote for it. The reality is, the state's share of property taxes has actually been declining over the last several years. Meanwhile, local governments have been struggling to provide adequate levels of service to their citizens in the face of rapid growth. Since the 1 percent cap was approved by voters in 2001, many jurisdictions have taken their cases to the voters in order to raise that cap, and have been successful. Since I-747 was first enacted, it has not provided the true relief that taxpayers are calling for because of the runaway valuations in some areas, including my district. After all, 1 percent of a larger number is still a large number. A special session is not enough time to address the all the complexities associated with creating a plan for long-term, meaningful property tax reform. But it allows us to reinstate the 1 percent cap, so that homeowners don't have to worry about further property tax increases in the face of other economic pressures this holiday season.
# # # For more information: Rep. Pat Lantz – 360.786-7964 Media staff: Jennifer Zahn Spieler – 360.786.7201 Website and print-quality photo: http://www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/lantz/
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Rep. Patricia Lantz
26th Legislative District
