HomeMy WebLinkAbout041825 - Urgent Action Requested - Please Mover HB 2049_SB 5812ALERT: 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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Urgent Action Needed - Contact Your Legislator Today!
LSC Members,
As you know, one of our major revenue priorities this year is to lift the 1% annual property tax growth limit for local governments.
Both the House and Senate were scheduled to move their respective bills replacing the 1% annual property tax growth limit with a new limit comprised of the rate of inflation plus the
rate of county population growth, not to exceed 3%. Unfortunately, neither body took action on the bills.
Please email your legislator and ask them to tell their leadership that they support moving HB 2049/SB 5812 out of committee and bringing it to the floor for approval. Here is a link
to the members of the House: https://app.leg.wa.gov/Rosters/Members/House <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MTg0NDQ4LTIwNWY0ODFTSnJHQw==/0/Cv0l9V557Xcoe97LWMjg08zpf3q70zyB1Yk
qk1M8iUjZTkHsEDofFnzmIKDFteJ4kRaNhmb6WClTjtyPsKNTdAxMogEnUsil---slash---ZPQvrFnVzydTI9daWn2dHAMLkujKwbI> . Here is a link to the members of the Senate: https://app.leg.wa.gov/Rosters/Members/Senate
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Below is a sample email you can use or make your own:
Honorable Representative/Senator:
I was surprised this morning to see that the (House Finance) (or Senate Ways & Means) Committee did not hold an executive session and vote out HB 2049/SB 5812 as planned.
As you know, section 4 of HB 2049/SB 5812 replaces the existing 1% annual property tax growth limit with a new cap based on the rate of inflation plus population growth, not to exceed
3% annually. Replacing the 1% annual property tax growth limit with something more reasonable that at least allows counties to keep up with inflation has long been a priority for our
members.
Counties are the least revenue-diversified governments in the state. Property tax is our primary revenue source, and for most counties, it makes up anywhere from 50-70% of their total
general fund revenue. The majority of that revenue, over 70% in most counties, is used to pay for the state’s justice system, including courts, prosecutors, corrections, public defense,
court records, diversion programs, and law enforcement. Most of the rest of that revenue pays for state-mandated services that counties provide, like elections, tax collection, property
assessment, and others.
Property tax is the only revenue source that currently doesn’t keep up with inflation. Inflation over the last decade has averaged nearly 3% per year. A 1% increase in our major source
of revenue means that we fall behind year after year. Since 2002, counties have struggled to meet growing demands for services. Imagine trying to maintain state service levels over
that period if your major revenue source, sales tax, only increased 1% annually. In addition, counties are tasked with more mandates during every legislative session, usually without
being provided additional resources. Every year, we are required to do more with fewer resources.
Public safety has been an important priority this year for the legislature. It is for counties as well. The primary revenue source counties use for public safety services is property
tax revenue. If you want to assist counties in making more investments in public safety, we need more flexibility to at least keep up with inflation with property taxes.
Please support moving HB 2049/SB 5812 out of the (House Finance)(or Senate Ways & Means) Committee and bringing it to the House Floor for approval.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Please take action on this immediately. Time is running out as the end of session is just over a week away.
Thanks for your help!
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