Once again our State Supreme Court threw out a voter-approved initiative (I-747) where we, the citizens of Washington state, voted to limit property tax increases to a 1 percent cap. With this ruling, the law will allow increases up to 6 percent a year.
The decision is outrageous. Some Snohomish County city officials say that they havent been able to keep up with inflation. Excuse me, have they heard of fiscal responsibility? Have they forgotten that they are the servants of the citizens of this county?
Gov. Christine Gregoire on Thursday issued a statement indicating that she planned to work with the Legislature in 2008 to thoughtfully reinstate a property tax cap. No, she doesnt seem to understand the voters said that we wanted a 1 percent cap on property taxes.
This is a call to action.
Unfortunately, you, the voter, need to speak up again I urge you to call the Governor (360-902-4111), your State Legislators and your city officials be very polite and very clear. Ask for a Special Session to make the 1 percent cap law and state that, yes, you knew what you were voting on in 2001 and no, you were not misled as State Supreme Justice Bobbe Bridge wrote in her opinion The text of the initiative misled voters about the substantive impact of the initiative Justice Bridge is stepping down and not running for office next year we need to carefully select her replacement, as her line of reasoning (?) is destroying our democratic and legal rights.
Billye Brooks-Sebastiani
Arlington