Property taxes need greater reform

By Sen. Claudia Kauffman

I'm strongly supporting Gov. Chris Gregoire's call for a special legislative session this week to take quick action to maintain the will of voters on Initiative 747.

The steady rise of property taxes, mainly based on the rapid growth of the housing market, has become more and more difficult for working families to afford. With gas prices double what they were four years ago, health care costs increasing three times more than inflation, and even basic living expenses more expensive than ever, some people, especially those on fixed incomes, are losing the ability keep their homes. That is unacceptable, and I've been a leader in the effort to make property tax collection fair and predictable for working families.

The will of voters is clear. We need to reinstate property tax increases to no greater than 1 percent a year, as I-747, passed by 58 percent of voters in 2001, set out to do. I believe, too, we should take a comprehensive and meaningful look at our state's property tax system during the 2008 regular legislative session, which begins in January.

We need this comprehensive look because property taxes are an important part of how we pay for police officers, schools, city streets, fire departments and the wide array of other government services. Property taxes are the largest source of revenue for city and county governments and the third-largest source for the state general fund.

Earlier this month, the Washington Supreme Court ruled that Initiative 747 is unconstitutional because the measure sought to change law language that wasn't in effect at the time of the election. Initiative 747 limited taxing districts to a 1 percent annual increase in property taxes, except for voter-approved taxes. I understand our Supreme Court's legal decision, but deeply respect the will of Washington voters in Black Diamond, Pasco and around the state.

According to the State Department of Revenue, property owners have saved an estimated $1.63 billion in property taxes since 2001 under I-747. But even with the savings under I-747, many citizens are still feeling the pinch.

The special session comes at a time when legislators already are in Olympia for a two-day series of meetings in preparation for the upcoming session. There's no better use of this time than to maintain the will of the people when they voted to approve Initiative 747, and to set the tone for real property tax reform.

Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent, represents the 47th Legislative District, including Covington, Black Diamond, Auburn, Kent and Renton Highlands.

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