We have a proposal for 2009 that aggressively tackles our state's property tax crisis. It's called the Lower Property Taxes Initiative. Our tax burden keeps growing faster and faster and government keeps getting bigger and bigger -- the people are losing control. The Lower Property Taxes Initiative is our last, best chance to gain control of our government. Here's an excerpt from its intent section:
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This act is intended to protect taxpayers by reducing our state's obscene and unsustainable property tax burden by controlling the growth of government to an affordable level. It is long overdue. This measure would limit the growth of state, county, and city general fund revenue, not including new voter-approved revenue, to the annual rate of inflation. Revenue above this limit would be used to reduce property taxes. This measure permits the growth of Washington's tax burden to increase at an affordable, sustainable rate, allows citizens to vote for higher taxes where they see a need, and uses excess revenues above this limit to reduce property taxes.
During these tough economic times, struggling working families and fixed-income senior citizens desperately need and deserve meaningful property tax relief. Property taxes have skyrocketed for decades and politicians have done nothing to address this very real problem. This measure also provides a much-needed economic stimulus to our state's struggling economy by keeping our tax burden at an affordable, sustainable level and by reducing our state's crushing property tax burden. So, this measure ensures meaningful tax relief, a big boost to our state's economy, and long-overdue reform of government. It is a smart, balanced, reasonable solution to our state's property tax problem.
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This will be the first real reduction in property tax bills in our state's history.
How much will our initiative lower your property tax bill? Some years, it'll knock 40% off your property tax bill. Other years, it'll cut it by 1/3. Other years, it'll lower it by 25%. Other years, it'll reduce it 10%. The amount of reduction will be different every year. The greater the excess revenue collected by the government, the larger the property tax reduction that year.
As you know, state government, all 39 county governments, and all 281 city governments each have a main account called the General Fund. Each government's general fund receives revenue from a combination of various taxes and fees. The Lower Property Taxes Initiative requires that each government receive the same total amount of money they collected the previous year - plus the rate of inflation. If during a year any government receives money in excess of this revenue cap, THAT EXTRA REVENUE WILL NOT GO TOWARD MAKING THAT GOVERNMENT BIGGER, IT'LL GO TOWARD MAKING OUR PROPERTY TAX BILLS SMALLER.
The Lower Property Taxes Initiative doesn't reduce the size of government; it ensures that government grows at an affordable, sustainable, voter-controlled rate and dedicates excess revenue toward lowering our state's crushing property tax burden.
We're filing it on Monday, January 5th as a statewide initiative to the people. With processing and filing time, we anticipate the petitions to be printed and ready to send to everyone by mid-February. We have until early July to raise the funds necessary to gather a total of 300,000 voter signatures, a tremendous challenge. But we've had 10 years of invaluable experience learning what works and what doesn't. We have a winning track record of success. With your help, we can do this.
Please help us lower property taxes for everyone with this critically important initiative.
To get this critical campaign started, we need your financial commitment to ensure the success of the Lower Property Taxes Initiative. Please send us a donation of $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more (there are no limits on the amount that can be given) to our offices in Spokane. Or, you can do a SECURE online donation by VISA AND MASTERCARD and PAYPAL. Either way, please send in your most generous donation RIGHT NOW
We will work extremely hard with our thousands of supporters over the next six months to qualify this critical initiative for the 2009 ballot. Its success is assured if you all embrace it and make it part of your life in 2009. Jack, Mike, and I have committed to making it a reality. The rest is up to you.
Are you with us? Let us know what you think and feel free to ask questions about it.
FULL STEAM AHEAD!
