Nov. 20, 2007

Statement from state Rep. Deb Eddy (D-Kirkland) on Gov. Gregoire calling for a special session:

I applaud Gov. Gregoire for her leadership in calling for a special session to address the issue of increased property tax authority for local governments so quickly after the initiative was overturned.

As a former mayor and city councilmember, I am sensitive to the arguments about local needs. But voters overwhelmingly approved this cap in 2001, and we’ve observed it for the past six years. Now is not the time leave open the potential for significant property tax increases.

Families and senior citizens are struggling with high gas prices, high health care costs and property taxes rising due to the growing attractiveness of the Puget Sound region. For the future, I am concerned about the stability of our national economy, due to the sub-prime mortgage crisis, the low value of our currency, high foreign debt and our trade imbalances.

The certainty of the cap on increases will provide relief to these families.

During my tenure as Kirkland mayor, we managed to balance our budget with little to no increase in the property tax. I believe any local government with serious budget problems should bring a local levy lid lift to their citizens for approval. If the citizens don’t approve the levy lid lift, then the answer is to cut services.

Reinstating the limit on property tax revenue increases to one percent is the right thing to do now. Voters overwhelming approved the cap in 2001, and I look forward to reenacting their will in Olympia next week.

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