HomeMy WebLinkAbout012925 Legislative Alert - Urgent Action Required - HB 1702ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
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HB 1702 County Utility Tax - Urgent Action
LSC Members,
Please reach out to your legislators and request they "pink slip" HB 1702. HB 1702 is a WSAC priority bill authorizing up to a 3% county utility tax. HB 1702 is on today's intro sheets
and we need as many legislators as possible to sign on to the bill.
You need to reach out right away as the deadline to "pink slip" is today at 2 PM.
Here is a sample email for your use:
Honorable Representative:
Please “pink slip” HB 1702. The deadline to sign on is 2 PM today.
HB 1702, appearing on today’s House intro sheet, will authorize counties to impose up to a 3% tax on utilities serving the unincorporated areas of the county.
Currently, both the state and all cities have utility tax authority of up to 6%. Counties are asking for the same authority, but only up to half the amount afforded cities and the state.
We are sensitive to the fact that this can be considered a regressive tax, which is why we are asking for a very conservative percentage.
As you know, counties have been working on fiscal sustainability solutions for many years, with little success. Counties are the least financially diversified governments in Washington
State. Yet we are expected to provide broad, regional services to all our residents (including city residents). Our main revenue source is property tax. As you know, that tax is severely
limited in annual growth (up to 1%), which is well below even simple inflation in most years. Counties need new, additional revenue, and this option will not only provide that new revenue
but also assist us in diversifying our revenues to improve financial sustainability.
Please “pink slip” HB 1702. The deadline to sign on is 2 PM today.
Thank you for supporting counties!
Sincerely,
Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for your help and for your support of LSC!
Paul Jewell, Government Relations Director
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