A PROCLAMATION OF OUR DEMANDS


Over reliance on Property Taxes as the primary source for funding services is outdated - unfair - draconian

The people have been denied a voice about their property taxes for 40 years

The people demand the drafting of legislation THIS SESSION to be placed on our ballots

The people demand the drafting of legislation created by relevant organizations, think tanks, reform groups, assessors & key elected officials

NO EXCUSES ABOUT A SHORT SESSION
The recent Special Session IS PROOF our Legislature can act under deadline


We must place before the people legislation that fixes the problems:

*Legislation that stops the practice of continuous taxation on unrealized gains (profits gained by appreciation that are unavailable unless we sell our piece of the American Dream or we encumber ourselves with high interest home equity loans) NOT EVEN THE IRS TAXES US UNTIL WE SELL TO MAKE A PROFIT

*Legislation that allows for retirement

*Legislation that fixes the historic shift of property tax burdens from business/commercial/industrial onto residential homeowners

*Legislation that fixes the shift onto hardworking families created by over 200 exemptions - underscoring the fact the system is broken (Although exemptions serve an important purpose, 200 exemptions disperses those taxes onto every other property owner)

*Legislation that gets us away from deferrals - another term for liens on the property - which accrue interest and in effect act as a reverse mortgage. The fact that most who qualify do not take advantage of this legislation points to “lip service” legislation

*Legislators must follow the law mandated by the constitution to fully fund education:

Washington State Constitution, Article IX, Section 1.Preamble:

It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children

residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex

Shifting the responsibility to homeowners by requiring fifty percent funding is unfair. All citizens should be involved in funding education. The recent slim passage of the School Levy Amendment has enabled further abrogation and reduced performance accountability

*Legislation that instead of penalizing us for pride in ownership, rewards us - penalizing pride in ownership is detrimental to our communities

*Legislation that does not perpetuate problems such as those created by exemptions, deferrals, homestead exemptions and circuit breakers

*Legislation that requires each property owner to receive a copy of their property tax bill. Currently, there is no law that requires property owners to receive a bill when they opt to have their property taxes paid via mortgage payments

*Legislation to require monthly property tax invoices to insure property owners are more aware of their property tax burden - currently property owners receive yearly notification only

*Legislation to change to a statewide property tax assessment software. Currently each of our 39 counties must purchase their own software at a typical cost of several million dollars.

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There were those who came forward and helped us when we began this movement
and those who did not

Our Governor and our courts have resisted and ignored the will of the people

Our Governor was slow to move during the I-747 crisis
When our Governor did begin to act her reaction appeared calculated and reelection transparent

Legislators signed on to bills
but it appears many did so in name only
judged by the fact
they never came forward to fight for that legislation at hearings


We will work with any member of any political party
who is willing to work for serious reform
We will work against any member of any political party
who is not willing to work for reform