Bill Summary:

• AN ACT Relating to modifying the annual regular property tax revenue growth limit; amending RCW 84.55.005 and 84.55.100; creating a new section; and repealing RCW 84.55.0101.

What the Bill says:

• The bill uses a rather complex math to determine what the tax on property increase will be. It changes the current status of 1% to a max of 3% not including special levies. It says this: the annual percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers in the western region for all items as provided in the most recent 12-month period by the bureau of labor statistics of the United States department of labor by July 25th of the year before the taxes are payable. 2) Limit factor means: 100 percent plus population change and inflation((; and)), not to exceed 103 percent.

Our Summary Opinion:

• There is no way that a population change should create a need for higher taxes as the increased population should in itself produce more tax revenue to cover the expenses of the increased population. Adding the population change to the consumer price index for inflation to achieve the minimum of a 103% tax on property is highly suspicious of the potential intent to drive those taxes even higher year over year.