Local News

Tax cap splits lawmakers

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

The Times/News presents a summary of action on bills by Highline-area lawmakers in the Nov. 29 special session of the Legislature.

For complete information, go to www.WashingtonVotes.com - a free, non-partisan Website that is the source for this report.

Highline is represented by:

District 11-Sen. Margarita Prentice; Rep Zack Hudgins; Rep. Bob Hasagawa.

District 33-Sen. Karen Keiser; Rep. Shay Schual-Berke; Rep. Dave Upthegrove.

District 34-Sen. Joe McDermott; Rep. Eileen Cody; Rep. Sharon Nelson.

House Bill 2416-Reinstates the 1 percent limit on annual increases in regular property taxes as approved by voters through Initiative 747 in 2001. This act was in response to a state Supreme Court decision that threw out the tax cap that was implemented with the enactment of I-747. This act is retroactive to 2002. Signed by Gov. Gregoire.

Passed 86-8 in the House; 39-8 in the Senate.

In the House, Hudgins, Schual-Berke, Upthegrove voted yes; Nelson voted no; Hasegawa, Cody excused. In the Senate, Prentice, Keiser voted yes; McDermott voted no.

Senate Substitute Bill 6178-Establishes an annual property tax deferment of up to 50 percent for households making less than $57,000 per year, without exceeding 40 percent of the claimant's home equity. This program is to be administered through the county Auditor's office and applies to taxes due and payable after April 30, 2008. Signed by Gov. Gregoire.

Passed 27 to 21 in the Senate; 55 to 39 in the House. In the Senate, Prentice, Keiser, McDermott voted yes. In the House, Hudgins, Schual-Berke, Upthegrove, Nelson voted yes; Hasegawa, Cody excused.