2007 COMMENTARY

November 09, 2007

EFF's letter to the Governor calling for a special session on I-747

By Bob Williams

November 9, 2007

The Hon. Chris Gregoire, Governor
State of Washington
Legislative Building

Dear Governor Gregoire,

This is a request to convene a special legislative session during the upcoming legislative committee days in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding Initiative 747.

As you yourself stated, “We heard loud and clear on Tuesday evening that voters are concerned about their tax burden. I believe that it is our responsibility to move quickly, recognizing taxpayers’ concerns and reinstating the will of the voters.”

A special session is necessary to clarify the intent of the law approved by voters, which was to limit the annual increase in their property tax burdens.

King County Assessor Scott Noble has stated that many cities and counties have enough banked capacity to raise property taxes by 30, 40, or even 50 percent.

Many counties will be setting their 2008 property tax rates in the coming months. That being the case, January may be too late to make an impact for next year.

As the Seattle Times reported today, “The King County Council is in the midst of 2008 budget deliberations and is expected to adopt next year's tax rate Nov. 19 — but the council could adjust the rate as late as early January…”

I respectfully urge that you use your leadership authority to bring the legislature together to reinstate the voters’ intent of the I-747 one percent property tax cap as soon as possible. Committee days are coming up at the end of this month. This would be an ideal time to convene a special session as most legislators will already be in town.

It’s time to clarify the intent of the law passed by voters.

Thanks for considering this request.

Cordially,

Bob Williams
President

Bob Williams is the Founder and Senior Fellow of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation, a public policy organization in Olympia, Washington, dedicated to the advancement of individual liberty. He is known as a national expert in the areas of fiscal and tax policies, election reform and disaster preparedness. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Pennsylvania State University. Bob worked as a GAO auditor of the Pentagon and Post Office before moving to Washington state where he served five terms in the Washington state legislature and was the 1988 Republican nominee for governor.

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